In this article we will formulate an Islanders vs Maple Leafs prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, January 3rd at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
New York Islanders Betting Preview
The New York Islanders are 22-15-4 this year after they lost to Utah by a score of 7-2 in their last game. New York tied the game at one early in the second period, but they allowed six of the last seven goals for the blowout loss. The Islanders out shot Utah by a total of 22-21, won 51.0% of the face-offs, and went 1-5 on the power play in the game. New York got goals from Ritchie and Schaefer, while Rittich stopped nine out of 14 shots and Hogberg stopped five out of seven.
Prior to that game, New York defeated the Blackhawks by a score of 3-2, but lost to the Blue Jackets by a score of 4-2 before that. The Islanders have won three of their last five games and they are currently second in the Metro standings with 48 points. New York has scored 2.73 goals per game and they have allowed 2.76 goals against per game, while also going 16.0% on the power play and 81.2% on the penalty kill this season. Bo Horvat has led New York with 21 goals and 12 assists, while Mathew Barzal has added 10 goals and 20 assists. The projected starting goalie for New York is David Rittich, who is 10-5-2 with a 2.46 goals against average and a .909 save percentage this year.
Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Preview
The Toronto Maple Leafs are 19-15-6 this season after they defeated Winnipeg by a score of 6-5 in their last game. Toronto trailed 4-1 in the second period and 5-4 in the third, but they scored two goals in the last seven minutes to escape with the win. The Maple Leafs were out shot by a total of 40-30, won 50% of the face-offs, and went 1-1 on the power play in the game. Toronto got goals from Maccelli, Matthews (3), Ekman-Larsson, and Stecher, while Woll stopped 13 out of 17 shots and Hildeby stopped 22 out of 23.
Prior to that game, Toronto defeated the Devils by a score of 4-0, but lost to the Red Wings by a score of 3-2 before that. The Maple Leafs have won four of their last five games and they are currently sixth in the Atlantic standings with 44 points. Toronto has scored 3.35 goals per game and they have allowed 3.33 goals against per game, while also going 16.8% on the power play and 83.5% on the penalty kill this season. William Nylander has led Toronto with 14 goals and 27 assists, while John Tavares has added 15 goals and 22 assists. The projected starting goalie for Toronto is Joseph Woll, who is 8-4-1 with a 2.74 goals against average and a .916 save percentage this season.
Why the Toronto Maple Leafs will win
- The Islanders have lost eight of their last 10 games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The underdogs have won four of the Islanders’ last five games at UBS Arena.
- The Islanders have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last eight games as favorites following a loss.
- The Maple Leafs have covered the puck line in seven of their last eight games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Maple Leafs have won the third period in seven of their last eight road games against Eastern Conference opponents when leading after the second period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Islanders’ last eight games against Atlantic Division opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Seven of the Maple Leafs’ last eight night games against Eastern Conference opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Seven of the last eight Saturday night games between teams from different divisions have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Maple Leafs’ last 10 games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Islanders’ last six games as favorites against the Maple Leafs.
New York Islanders Player Prop Facts
- Mathew Barzal has recorded at least one assist in each of the Islanders’ last three home games against the Maple Leafs.
- Simon Holmstrom has scored a goal in four of the Islanders’ last five night games at UBS Arena.
Toronto Maple Leafs Player Prop Facts
- Bobby McMann has scored at least one goal in four of the Maple Leafs’ last five games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- John Tavares has recorded at least one assist in four of the Maple Leafs’ last five games.
Islanders vs Maple Leafs Prediction
Toronto comes into this matchup after winning four of their last five games and they have scored 23 goals in those four victories. The Maple Leafs are 5-10-1 on the road this year, while the Islanders are 12-8-2 at home. New York has dropped two of their last three and they have scored two regulation goals or fewer in five straight games. I am hesitant to back Toronto on the road, but I can’t take this New York offense with how low scoring it has been, so give me the Leafs here.