Air Canada Centre is playing host an Eastern Conference showdown as the New York Islanders take on the Toronto Maple Leafs. The opening face-off is at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 31, and you are able to view it live on Sportsnet.
New York Islanders vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Odds
New York (+160) is playing the role of underdog to Toronto (-180) and the oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at 7 goals (-120 for the over, +100 for the under).
Toronto is 28-23 straight up (SU) and has recorded -1.9 units for moneyline bettors thus far. That winning percentage, ranked third in the Atlantic Division so far in the early season, is a welcome improvement compared to what the team managed during the 2016-17 season (40-42). Of the teams 51 regular season outings, 24 have gone under the total, while 23 have gone over and just four have pushed. The teams 13-10 SU at home this year.
The Maple Leafs have been able to convert on 20.8 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s good enough for eighth-best in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated sixth overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 83.2 percent of all penalties.
The Maple Leafs, as a collective unit, have been penalized just 3.6 times per game overall this season, and 2.0 per game over their last five matchups home outings. The teams had to kill penalties for just 6.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, overall.
Averaging 31.1 saves per game with a .920 save percentage, Frederik Andersen (24 wins, 18 losses, and four OT losses) has been the best option in goal for Toronto this season. If head coach Mike Babcock chooses to rest him, however, Toronto could roll with Curtis McElhinney (4-4-4 record, .925 save percentage, 2.55 goals against average).
Auston Matthews and William Nylander will each look to continue their strong seasons for the Maple Leafs. Matthews (37 points) has produced 22 goals and 15 assists and has recorded two or more points in 11 different games this year. Nylander has 10 goals and 26 assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in 27 contests.
On the other bench, New York is 25-26 straight up (SU) and has lost 0.5 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far. A total of 32 of its matches have gone over the total, while 15 have gone under and just three have pushed. The Islanders are 12-15 SU as the visiting team this season.
The Islanders have converted on 20.0 percent of their power play chances this season, 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 73.5 percent of all penalties.
New York’s skaters have been penalized only 3.5 times per game in total this season, and 1.6 per game over their last five outings. The team has had to defend opponent power plays just 6.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jaroslav Halak (3.16 goals against average and .909 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for New York. Halak is averaging 30.0 saves per game and has 15 wins, 19 losses, and three overtime losses to his credit.
Leading the offensive counter for the visiting Islanders will be John Tavares (26 goals, 31 assists) and Josh Bailey (12 goals, 43 assists).
New York Islanders vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Predictions
Prediction: SU Winner – Maple Leafs, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- Six of New York’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 2-4 in those games.
- The Islanders are 10-14 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 15-19 in games where they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes.
- Two of Toronto’s last ten games have ended in a shootout. The team is 2-0 in those games and 4-1 overall in shootouts this year.
- The under has hit in three of Toronto’s last five games.
- Toronto skaters have averaged 15.2 giveaways over its last five home games, a rise over its season average of 11.5 giveaways per game (ranked 25th in the NHL).
- New York has averaged 8.6 giveaways over its last five home games, an improvement from its season average of 11.4 giveaways per game (ranked 25th in the league).
