Predators vs Maple Leafs Prediction 12/20/25 NHL Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Predators vs Maple Leafs prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, December 20th at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Nashville Predators Betting Preview

The Nashville Predators are 13-16-4 this season after they lost to Carolina by a score of 4-1 in their last game. Nashville cut the deficit to 3-1 in the third period, but allowed an empty net goal to seal the loss. The Predators were out shot by a total of 37-26, won 53.2% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Nashville got their lone goal from Forsberg, while Saros stopped 33 out of 36 shots, which was a .917 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Nashville defeated the Blues by a score of 5-2, but lost to the Avalanche by a score of 4-2 before that. The Predators have won three of their last five games and they are currently last in the Central standings with 30 points. Nashville has scored 2.76 goals per game and they have allowed 3.49 goals against per game, while also going 17.1% on the power play and 81.5% on the penalty kill this season. Ryan O’Reilly has led Nashville with 10 goals and 17 assists, while Filip Forsberg has added 15 goals and 11 assists. The projected starting goalie for Nashville is Juuse Saros, who is 12-11-3 with a 2.95 goals against average and an .898 save percentage this season. 

Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Preview

The Toronto Maple Leafs are 15-13-5 this year after they lost to Washington by a score of 4-0 in their last game. Toronto allowed two goals in the first period and two in the third in the shutout loss. The Maple Leafs were out shot by a total of 29-22, won 54.2% of the face-offs, and went 0-5 on the power play in the game. Toronto was led by Robertson, who had six shots on goal, while Hildeby stopped 25 out of 29 shots, which was an .862 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Toronto defeated the Blackhawks by a score of 3-2, but lost to the Oilers by a score of 6-3 before that. The Maple Leafs have lost three of their last four games and they are currently second to last in the Atlantic standings with 35 points. Toronto has scored 3.18 goals per game and they have allowed 3.24 goals against per game, while also going 14.1% on the power play and 83.3% on the penalty kill this season. William Nylander has led Toronto with 11 goals and 25 assists, while John Tavares has added 13 goals and 17 assists. The projected starting goalie for Toronto is Joseph Woll, who is 5-3-1 with a 2.39 goals against average and a .927 save percentage this year. 

Why the Nashville Predators will win

• The Maple Leafs have lost five of their last six games as favorites.
• The underdogs have won four of the Maple Leafs’ last five games at Bridgestone Arena.
• The Maple Leafs have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last six games as favorites.
• The underdogs have covered the puck line in 10 of the Maple Leafs’ last 11 games at Bridgestone Arena.
• The Predators have won the third period in each of their last six home games against Atlantic Division opponents when leading after the second period.

Total Goals Facts

• Seven of the Maple Leafs’ last eight games have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Each of the Predators’ last four games as underdogs following a home loss have gone OVER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Maple Leafs’ last nine games as road favorites.
• The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in three of the Predators’ last four games as underdogs.

Nashville Predators Player Prop Facts

• Ryan O’Reilly has scored at least one goal in six of his last eight appearances with his team as a home underdog against the Maple Leafs.
• Filip Forsberg has recorded at least one assist in each of his last four home appearances against the Maple Leafs.

Toronto Maple Leafs Player Prop Facts

• Auston Matthews has scored at least one goal in four of his last five appearances against Central Division opponents.
• William Nylander has recorded at least one assist in eight of his last nine appearances with the Maple Leafs as favorites.

Predators vs Maple Leafs Prediction 

Toronto comes into this matchup desperately looking for a win, as they continue to disappoint this season. The Maple Leafs are 5-8-0 on the road this year, while the Predators are 8-9-2 at home. Nashville has found some recent success, but they are allowing about 3.50 goals against per game this year. I don’t trust either team in this matchup, but I do think Nashville is playing slightly better and they have scored at least four goals in three of their last five. Take the Predators at home here.