Two teams facing each other for the zeroth time this season, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Anaheim Ducks take the ice at the Honda Center for a cross-continent tilt. The action gets going at 10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, November 1 and it is being televised live on Fox Sports West.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Anaheim Ducks Odds
Toronto is 7-5 straight up (SU) and has lost 0.2 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 12 regular season outings, eight of its games have gone over the total, while three have gone under and just one has pushed. The Leafs are 3-2 SU on the road in 2017-18.
The Maple Leafs have impressively scored on 26.2 percent of their power play chances so far. Thats a nice improvement from last season, when they were ranked third in the NHL by scoring on 23.3 percent of their extra-man chances. Their penalty kill has improved slightly since last year, as theyve gone from successfully defending 81.7 percent of opponents power plays (ranked 12th overall last year) to 82.5 percent this year.
The Leafs, as a collective unit, have been penalized just 3.9 times per game in the 2017-18 season, a number thats pretty close to last years 3.9 penalties per game. After serving an average of 9.6 penalty minutes per game a season ago the teams had to stave off opponent power plays for 8.3 minutes per matchup this year.
With a .896 save percentage and 29.8 saves per game, Frederik Andersen (6-5) has been the best option in goal for Toronto this season. If it decides to rest him, however, Toronto could go with Curtis McElhinney (1-0), who has a .909 save percentage and 3.00 goals against average this year.
Auston Matthews and Nazem Kadri will both lead the offensive attack for the visiting Maple Leafs. Matthews (16 points) has tallied nine goals and seven assists, and has recorded two or more points five times. Kadri has six goals and five assists to his name (and has logged at least one point in seven games).
On the other bench, Anaheim is 6-5 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 1.0 unit this year. Through 11 regular season outings, six of its games have gone under the total, while five have gone over and none have pushed. The teams 3-3 SU at home this season.
The Ducks have converted on just 12.1 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that places them in the bottom overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked eighth overall, and its successfully killed off 84.3 percent of all opponent power plays.
Ducks skaters have been whistled for penalties 5.5 times per game this season. Last year, that number was at 4.6, the highest mark in the league. After serving an average of 12.0 penalty minutes per game a year ago, the team has had to stave off opponent power plays for 14.3 minutes per outing this season.
John Gibson has denied 29.3 shots per game as the primary selection in goal for the Ducks. Gibson has five wins, five losses, and one overtime loss to his name and has recorded a .921 save percentage and 2.80 goals against average this year.
The home team offense will be led by Andrew Cogliano (three goals, six assists).
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Anaheim Ducks Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Maple Leafs, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- After going 3-3 in games decided by a shootout last year, the Ducks are off to a 1-0 start in shootouts this season. Toronto went 1-8 in shootouts last year and has yet to participate in one this time around.
- The total has gone over in four of Anaheims last five outings.
- Toronto has managed 26.4 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Anaheim is averaging 33.4 shots per game over its last five home outings.
