Air Canada Centre will be hosting an East-West showdown as the Toronto Maple Leafs take on the visiting Winnipeg Jets. It’s the last time that these two clubs will go at it in the regular season. The opening face-off is at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 31, and it will be televised live on CBC Sports.
Winnipeg Jets vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Odds
Earning moneyline bettors 5.5 units, the Maple Leafs are 47-31 straight up (SU) overall in the 2017-18 season. That winning percentage, ranked 3rd in the Atlantic Division in this young season, is a welcome improvement over the 40-42 record from last year’s regular season campaign. Through 78 regular season contests, 40 of its games have gone over the total, while 33 have gone under and just four have pushed. The team’s 27-11 SU at home this season.
Toronto currently has the third-strongest power-play unit in the NHL, as it has scored on 23.7 percent of their extra-man opportunities this year. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 10th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.0 percent of all penalties.
Toronto, as a collective unit, has been penalized just 3.2 times per game overall this season, and 1.6 per game over its last five outings home outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties for just 6.6 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, overall.
Averaging 30.6 saves per game with a .917 save percentage, Frederik Andersen (39-25-5) has been the primary goalkeeper for the Maple Leafs this season. Andersen did just play last night, however, so the Leafs could decide to give him the evening off and instead turn to Curtis McElhinney (10-6-6 record, .935 save percentage, 2.09 goals against average).
Mitchell Marner and William Nylander will both look to continue their strong seasons for the Maple Leafs. Marner (69 points) is up to 22 goals and 47 assists and has recorded multiple points 17 times this year. Nylander has 17 goals and 39 assists to his name and has notched at least one point in 42 games.
On the other side of the rink, Winnipeg is 47-30 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 11.9 units this season. A total of 39 of its outings have gone over the total, while 36 have gone under and just two have pushed. Winnipeg’s 17-21 SU as the away team this season.
Winnipeg has converted on 23.3 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that places it in the top-five among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked ninth overall and it’s successfully defended 82.1 percent of all penalties.
Winnipeg’s skaters have been whistled for penalties 3.8 times per game in total this season, 3.4 per game over their past five outings total, and 3.6 per game over their last five road outings. The team’s had to kill penalties just 7.5 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Connor Hellebuyck (.923 save percentage and 2.38 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Winnipeg. Hellebuyck is averaging 28.1 saves per game and has 40 wins, 23 losses, and nine overtime losses to his credit.
For the visiting Jets, the offense will be coordinated by Blake Wheeler, who has 66 assists and 20 goals this season.
Winnipeg Jets at Toronto Maple Leafs Free Picks
Pick: SU Winner – Jets, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Two of Winnipeg’s last ten games have gone to a shootout. The team is 2-0 in those games and 4-2 overall in shootouts this season.
The total has gone over in four of Toronto’s last five games.
Winnipeg has managed 29.4 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Toronto is averaging 37.4 shots per game over its last five at home.
Four of Toronto’s last ten contests have been decided by two or more goals. The team is 4-0 overall in those games.
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