The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Colorado Avalanche meet in NHL action from the Ball Arena on Saturday. Who comes out in this inter-conference battle of NHL heavyweights? Let’s dive in and find out with our Maple Leafs vs. Avalanche Prediction.
Toronto Maple Leafs Team Preview
The Toronto Maple Leafs come into this game looking to build on their six-game win streak after a 6th straight win after a 7-3 win over Vegas last time out. Auston Matthews leads the Maple Leafs in scoring with 76 points including a team-high 52 goals along with 24 assists while William Nylander has 75 points with 31 goals and 44 assists. Mitch Marner has 70 points with a team-high 48 assists while John Tavares has 43 points with 17 goals and 26 assists and Morgan Rielly has 43 points with 36 assists this season. Ilya Samsonov has gone 13-4-6 with a 3.19 GAA and an .882 save percentage and Joseph Woll has posted a 8-5-1 record with a 2.80 GAA and a .916 save percentage while Martin Jones is also 11-7-1 with a 2.71 GAA and a .907 save percentage as well this season.
Toronto Maple Leafs Team Facts
- The Maple Leafs have won each of their last four games as underdogs against Central Division opponents.
- The Maple Leafs have covered the puck line in eight of their last nine games against the Avalanche at Ball Arena.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Maple Leafs’ last 10 games.
- The Maple Leafs have won the first period in four of their last five games against the Avalanche.
Colorado Avalanche Team Preview
The Colorado Avalanche come into this game looking to rebound from a 2-1 OT loss to Detroit last time out. Nathan MacKinnon has 93 points with a team-high 34 goals and 59 assists while Cale Makar has 60 points with 47 assists. Mikko Rantanen has 72 points with 29 goals and 43 assists and Valeri Nichushkin has 42 points split between 22 goals and 20 assists this season. Alexandar Georgiev has started 47 games for Colorado, going 30-13-3 with a 2.90 GAA and an .899 save percentage this season while Ivan Prosvetov is 4-3-1 with a 3.16 GAA and an .895 save percentage this season.
Colorado Avalanche Team Facts
- The Avalanche have won each of their last 12 night games at Ball Arena.
- The road team has covered the puck line in nine of the last 10 games between the Maple Leafs and Avalanche.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in 10 of the Avalanche’s last 11 games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Avalanche have won the second period in each of their last five games.
Maple Leafs vs. Avalanche Prediction
I’m on the Maple Leafs here. I just think there’s value here with the Leafs who are on fire right now and have the offensive firepower to go toe-to-toe with any team in the NHL. Colorado’s one of the best home teams in the league, but this should be a coin flip so I’m taking a shot on the Leafs and plus money here.