A game between two teams that have put themselves squarely in playoff contention, the Calgary Flames and the Toronto Maple Leafs take the ice at Air Canada Centre for a cross-country matchup. The opening face-off takes place at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, December 6, and you will be able to view the game live on Sportsnet.
Calgary Flames at Toronto Maple Leafs Odds
Calgary (+130) is currently the underdog to Toronto (-150), and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at an even 6 goals (-120 for the over, +100 for the under). After they originally opened at -125 over and +105 under, those O/U odds have shifted.
Toronto is 17-11 straight up (SU) and has earned 1.8 units for moneyline bettors this season. That win percentage, the second-best in the Atlantic Division so far in this young season, is a welcome improvement compared to how the team performed during last years regular season (40-42). Of its 28 games this season, 14 have gone over the total, while 11 have gone under and just three have pushed. This year, the team is 8-5 SU at home.
The Maple Leafs have been able to convert on 22.9 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 11th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 82.0 percent of all penalties.
As a team, the Maple Leafs have been called for penalties just 3.7 times per game overall this season, and 2.4 per game over their last five outings. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays for just 7.5 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, in total.
Averaging 31.1 saves per game with a .919 save percentage, Frederik Andersen (15-9-1) has been the primary goalkeeper for Toronto this season. If the Leafs, however, decide to give him a rest, the team may turn to Curtis McElhinney (2-2-2 record, .900 save percentage, 3.07 goals against average).
Auston Matthews and Nazem Kadri will both lead the charge for the Maple Leafs. Matthews (26 points) is up to 13 goals and 13 assists and has recorded multiple points in eight different games this year. Kadri has 13 goals and 10 assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in 18 contests.
On the other side of the ice, Calgary is 14-13 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.7 units for moneyline bettors this year. A total of 14 of its games have gone over the total, while 12 have gone under and just one has pushed. As a road team so far, the Flames are 7-5 SU.
The Flames have converted on 20.4 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 30th overall and it’s successfully killed off 75.3 percent of all penalties.
Calgary’s skaters have been called for penalties 4.0 times per game this season, and 2.6 per game over their past five games. The teams had to kill penalties just 6.8 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Mike Smith (29.0 saves per game) has been the main option in goal for Calgary. Smith owns a 13-11-1 record, while registering a .916 save percentage and 2.79 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Flames, the offense will run through Johnny Gaudreau, who has 24 assists and 12 goals this season.
Calgary Flames vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Maple Leafs, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- Over Toronto’s last ten outings, six of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 4-2 in those games).
- The Flames are 4-8 SU when they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Maple Leafs are 9-4 SU in games where they spend more time in the box than the opposition.
- Toronto is 1-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Calgary is 2-0 in shootouts.
- The total has gone over in three of Toronto’s last five outings.
- Toronto skaters have averaged 15.6 giveaways over its last five home games, a rise over its season average of 12.6 giveaways per game (ranked 27th in the NHL).
- Calgary skaters have averaged 6.8 giveaways over its last five home games, an improvement from its season average of 10.0 giveaways per game (ranked 17th).
