In this article, we will formulate a Toronto Maple Leafs vs NY Islanders prediction for this NHL game on Tuesday, December 31st at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Preview
The Toronto Maple Leafs are 22-13-2 this season after they lost to Washington by a score of 5-2 in their last game. Toronto tied the game at two in the second period, but they allowed the last three goals in the game for the loss. The Maple Leafs outshot Washington by a total of 37-32, won 52.7% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Toronto got goals from McMann and Tavares, while Murray stopped 27 out of 31 shots in the game.
Prior to that loss, the Maple Leafs defeated the Red Wings by a score of 5-2 but did lose to Winnipeg and the Islanders before that. Toronto has won four of their last seven games and they are second in the Atlantic standings with 46 points. Toronto has scored 3.11 goals per game and they have allowed 2.84 goals against per game, while also going 20.4% on the power play and 81.4% on the penalty kill this season. Mitch Marner has led Toronto with 13 goals, 37 assists, and 94 shots on goal, while William Nylander has added 23 goals, 18 assists, and 128 shots on goal this season. Joseph Woll is 10-6-0 with a 2.57 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage this year.
NY Islanders Betting Preview
The New York Islanders are 14-16-7 this year after they lost to Pittsburgh by a score of 3-2 in their last game. New York trailed 3-0 in the third period, but they scored two late goals and nearly tied the game. The Islanders were outshot by a total of 41-31, won 50.7% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. New York got goals from Horvat and Lee, while Hogberg stopped 38 out of 41 shots in the loss.
Prior to that game, the Islanders defeated the Penguins by a score of 6-3 but did lose to Buffalo by a score of 7-1 before that. New York has lost five of their last eight games and they are second to last in the Metro with 35 points. New York has scored 2.68 goals per game and they have allowed 3.19 goals against per game, while also going 11.5% on the power play and 63.3% on the penalty kill this season. Anders Lee has led New York with 17 goals, 14 assists, and 110 shots on goal, while Bo Horvat has added nine goals, 18 assists, and 100 shots on goal this season. Ilya Sorokin is 11-11-4 with a 2.96 goals against average and an .898 save percentage this year.
Why the Maple Leafs will beat the Islanders
- The Islanders have lost eight of their last nine day games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Maple Leafs have won five of their last six games against the Islanders following a loss.
- The Maple Leafs have covered the puck line in eight of their last nine games against the Islanders following a home loss.
- The Islanders have failed to cover the puck line in eight of their last nine day games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Islanders have lost the third period in eight of their last nine day games.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Maple Leafs’ last seven games against the Islanders following a loss have gone OVER the total goals line at Scotiabank Arena.
- Four of the Islanders’ last five games as underdogs following a road 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 17 games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Islanders’ last six games as road underdogs.
Toronto Maple Leafs Player Prop Facts
- Bobby McMann has scored a goal in each of his last three appearances against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Mitch Marner has recorded at least one assist in seven of the Maple Leafs’ last eight games.
- Mitch Marner has recorded at least one point in each of the Maple Leafs’ last eight games.
New York Islanders Player Prop Facts
- Anthony Duclair has recorded a point in each of his last six appearances at Scotiabank Arena.
- Bo Horvat has scored a goal in each of the Islanders’ last four games as underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Anthony Duclair has recorded an assist in each of his last six appearances at Scotiabank Arena.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Toronto Maple Leafs rank 1st in the league for Period 2 goals scored per game this season (1.35).
- The Toronto Maple Leafs rank T30th in the league for Period 3 goals scored per game this season (0.84).
- The New York Islanders rank 32nd in the league in power play percentage this season (11.46%).
- The New York Islanders rank 32nd in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (63.29%).
Toronto Maple Leafs vs NY Islanders Prediction
These teams have played once already this season, with New York winning by a score of 6-3 on December 21st. Toronto is one of the best teams in the Atlantic Division and they are 14-7-0 at home this year. New York has really sputtered for most of the season and the only team below them in the Metro is the Rangers. The Islanders are 7-8-5 on the road this year.
I know the Maple Leafs have had some struggles in their last four games, but they are great at home and they are the way better team when looking at the stats. New York is only scoring 2.68 goals per game this year and their penalty kill is sitting at 63.3%, which is not going to get it done. Take the Leafs to get the win here.