The Chicago Blackhawks and Toronto Maple Leafs meet Tuesday in NHL action at the Scotiabank Arena. Here’s a Maple Leafs vs Blackhawks Prediction. This article will include a Maple Leafs vs Blackhawks Pick.
Chicago Blackhawks Betting Preview
The Chicago Blackhawks lost to the Blues and Red Wings, and they play the Habs next. The Blackhawks have lost 4 of their last 5 games.
The Chicago Blackhawks are averaging 2.84 goals per game and are scoring 21.5 percent of their power play opportunities. Connor Bedard leads Chicago with 19 goals, Frank Nazar has 15 assists and Tyler Bertuzzi has 63 shots on goal. Defensively, the Chicago Blackhawks are allowing 3 goals per game and are killing 84.4 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Spencer Knight has given up 56 goals on 660 shots faced, and Arvid Soderblom has allowed 38 goals on 307 shots.
Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Preview
The Toronto Maple Leafs lost to the Sharks and Oilers, and they play the Capitals next. The Maple Leafs have lost 3 of their last 4 games.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are averaging 3.29 goals per game and are scoring 14.3 percent of their power-play opportunities. John Tavares leads Toronto with 13 goals, William Nylander has 23 assists, and Auston Matthews has 101 shots on goal. Defensively, the Toronto Maple Leafs are allowing 3.26 goals per game and are killing 82.6 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Anthony Stolarz has allowed 41 goals on 353 shots faced, while Dennis Hildeby has given up 24 goals on 299 shots.
Why the Toronto Maple Leafs will win
- The Maple Leafs have won seven of their last eight home games against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Blackhawks have lost 10 of their last 12 night games.
- The Maple Leafs have covered the puck line in each of their last four home games against Central Division opponents.
- The Blackhawks have failed to cover the puck line in four of their last five games.
- The Blackhawks have lost the third period in seven of their last eight road games against Atlantic Division opponents when trailing after the second period.
Why the Chicago Blackhawks will win
- The Maple Leafs have lost each of their last five games as favorites.
- The underdogs have won six of the Maple Leafs’ last seven games.
- The Maple Leafs have failed to cover the puck line in nine of their last 10 games as home favorites.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in eight of the Maple Leafs’ last nine games at Scotiabank Arena.
- The Blackhawks have won the third period in each of their last four games against Eastern Conference opponents when leading after the second period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Maple Leafs’ last four home games against the Blackhawks following a loss have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Each of the Blackhawks’ last four games against the Maple Leafs following a home loss have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Blackhawks’ last 14 games following a home loss.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in six of the Maple Leafs’ last seven games following a home loss.
Toronto Maple Leafs Player Prop Facts
- John Tavares has scored a goal in each of the Maple Leafs’ last four home games against the Blackhawks.
- William Nylander has recorded at least one assist in nine of his last 10 appearances with the Maple Leafs as home favorites.
- John Tavares has recorded at least one point in each of the Maple Leafs’ last six games against Central Division opponents.
- John Tavares has recorded a faceoff win percentage of 75.0% against the Blackhawks this season – equal-most against any opponent.
Chicago Blackhawks Player Prop Facts
- Tyler Bertuzzi has scored at least one goal in six of the Blackhawks’ last eight games as road underdogs.
- Frank Nazar has recorded at least one assist in seven of his last eight appearances against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Frank Nazar has recorded at least one point in each of his last six road appearances against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Tyler Bertuzzi is the only player in the league to have recorded a power play point in six or more consecutive appearances this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Toronto Maple Leafs rank T30th in the league in power play percentage this season (14.29%).
- The Toronto Maple Leafs rank 6th in the league for goals per game this season (3.29).
- The Chicago Blackhawks rank 4th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (84.40%).
- The Chicago Blackhawks have suffered the equal-largest margin of defeat in a road game this season (6-goals @ Sabres on November, 21).
Maple Leafs vs Blackhawks Prediction
I’m not thrilled to see the Maple Leafs at this price, but this has more to do with the Blackhawks stinking up the joint over the last few weeks. The Blackhawks are a young group that just can’t get out of their own way and have been getting blitzed defensively during this losing stretch. While shaky in their own right, the Leafs have played their best hockey at home and need to take advantage of spots like this if they’re going to keep pace in the standings. The Maple Leafs are the more talented, experienced team. There are no excuses here. Give me the Leafs, and I’ll take the PL to shave down the juice.