In a game between two teams that have put themselves squarely in the playoff hunt, the Washington Capitals and the Toronto Maple Leafs take the ice at Scotiabank Arena. NBC Sports Network will showcase this Eastern Conference matchup, which gets underway at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 23.
Washington Capitals vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Odds
This matchup’s moneyline and Over/Under odds have not been posted by oddsmakers yet.
Even though they’ve posted a record of 29-19 straight up (SU), moneyline bettors have earned a total of 1.8 units on the Maple Leafs this season. Out of its 48 regular season matches, 23 of them have gone under the total, while 21 have gone over and just four have pushed. Thus far, the team is 13-12 SU at home.
Toronto has converted on 21.0 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked seventh overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.4 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, Toronto has been penalized just 3.0 times per game overall this season, 3.2 per game over its last five matchups total, and 2.8 per game over its last five home outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties for just 6.0 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, in total.
Averaging 29.9 saves per game with a .922 save percentage, Frederik Andersen (21 wins, 12 losses, and one OT loss) has been the principal goalkeeper for the Maple Leafs this year. If the Leafs choose to give him the evening off, however, head coach Mike Babcock could roll with Garret Sparks (6-5-5 record, .907 save percentage, 2.91 goals against average).
The Leafs will continue to look for leadership from Mitchell Marner and John Tavares. Marner (61 points) has put up 19 goals and 42 assists and has recorded multiple points in 19 different games this year. Tavares has 30 goals and 23 assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in 32 contests.
On the other hand, Washington is 27-22 straight up (SU) and has lost 0.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far. Through 49 regular season matches, 24 of its games have gone over the total, while 21 have gone under the total and just three have pushed. Washington’s 14-10 SU as the visiting team this season.
Washington has converted on 21.2 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s good enough for 10th-best in the league. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 24th overall and it’s successfully defended 77.7 percent of all opponent power plays.
Washington’s players have been called for penalties 4.1 times per game in total this season, and 5.2 per game over their last five road outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties 14.6 minutes per contest over their last five road games.
Braden Holtby (27.6 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Washington. Holtby owns a 17-17-5 record, and has registered a .906 save percentage and 3.04 goals against average this year.
Alex Ovechkin (36 goals, 20 assists) will lead the offensive attack for the visiting Capitals.
Washington Capitals at Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Picks
Free Pick: SU Winner – Maple Leafs, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- The under has hit in three of Toronto’s last five games.
- The Capitals are 10-6 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 17-12 when they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes.
- Toronto is ranked 5th in the league with 9.1 takeaways per game. That figure has trended lower lately, however, as the team has created 8.3 takeaways over its last 10 games and 8.4 takeaways over its last five.
- Washington has allowed 3.2 goals per game this year, but is giving up 5.0 goals per contest over its last six games (0-6 SU over that span).
- Washington has averaged 6.0 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 8.2 takeaways per game (ranked 10th).
