Two of the least-penalized teams in the NHL, the New York Islanders and the Toronto Maple Leafs take the ice at Air Canada Centre for an Eastern Conference matchup. MSG Plus 2 will showcase the action, which gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 22.
New York Islanders at Toronto Maple Leafs Odds
Toronto (-210) is currently favored over New York (+175) and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 7 goals (-120 to bet the over, +100 for the under).
Toronto is 37-25 straight up (SU) and has earned 5.1 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, ranked fifth in the league in this young season, is a welcome improvement over the 40-42 record from the 2016-17 season campaign. Through 62 regular season contests, 30 of the team’s games have gone under the total, while 28 have gone over and just four have pushed. The team’s 20-10 SU at home this year.
The Maple Leafs have converted on 19.9 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked fifth overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 83.1 percent of all penalties.
The Maple Leafs, as a collective unit, have been whistled for penalties just 3.3 times per game overall this season, and 2.0 per game over their last five matchups at home. The team has had to defend opposition power plays for just 4.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, overall.
Averaging 31.6 saves per game with a .923 save percentage, Frederik Andersen (31-20-4) has been the primary option in goal for the Leafs this season. If head coach Mike Babcock chooses to rest him, however, the team may roll with Curtis McElhinney (7-4-4 record, .932 save percentage, 2.24 goals against average).
Auston Matthews and William Nylander will both look to continue their strong seasons for the Maple Leafs. Matthews (49 points) has tallied 27 goals and 22 assists and has recorded two or more points 14 times this year. Nylander has 14 goals and 32 assists to his credit and has recorded a point in 34 games.
On the other side of the ice, New York is 29-32 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.4 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 61 regular season contests, 37 of its games have gone over the total, while 21 have gone under and just three have pushed. As the away team, the Islanders are 13-17 SU.
The Islanders have converted on 21.5 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s good enough for ninth-best in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 30th overall and it’s successfully defended 74.0 percent of all opponent power plays.
New York’s players have been called for penalties only 3.4 times per game this season, and 2.2 per game over their last five on the road. The team has had to kill penalties just 7.0 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jaroslav Halak (30.8 saves per game) has been the primary choice in the net for New York. Halak has 18 wins, 24 losses, and four OT losses to his credit, while registering a .911 save percentage and 3.22 goals against average this year.
John Tavares (30 goals, 34 assists) and Josh Bailey (15 goals, 47 assists) are the top offensive options for New York and will lead the offensive attack for the visiting Islanders.
New York Islanders vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Predictions
Free Pick: SU Winner – Islanders, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- New York is 3-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Toronto is 5-1 in shootouts.
- The total has gone over in three of Toronto’s last five games.
- New York has managed 26.8 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Toronto is averaging 31.0 shots per game over its last five at home.
- Six of Toronto’s last ten games have been decided by two or more goals. The club is 4-2 overall in those games.
