Colorado Avalanche vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Prediction, NHL Odds
The Leafs blew a 3-1 lead on the road against the New York Islanders on Thursday, but managed to salvage a point in a 4-3 overtime loss. The Avs had a statement win at home against Vegas on Wednesday, blanking the defending Stanley Cup champions 3-0.
Toronto opened as a -125 favourite to win on the NHL odds, with the total sitting at 6.5.
Avalanche vs. Maple Leafs NHL Betting Odds
These teams split the season series last year, with the road team coming out on top in each game. The Leafs won 6-2 in late December and the Avalanche won 2-1 in a shootout in March. Colorado goalie Alexandar Georgiev was yanked in the first game after giving up five goals on 24 shots, but he bounced back in the rematch, stopping 17 of 18 shots faced through regulation and overtime before denying all three Toronto players in the shootout.
The Avs, who have won six of their last seven games overall, seem to thrive on Hockey Night in Canada as they’ve won five of their last six games in Toronto. A word of warning though, they’ve been a terrible cover option on the road this season, going 6-13 against the spread away from Ball Arena. Colorado has the third-highest scoring offence in the NHL, averaging 3.64 goals per game, so it makes sense they’ve hit the Over in four of their last five games.
Toronto’s loss on Thursday snapped a four-game win streak overall, although they’re still riding a six-game win streak against Western Conference opponents. They’ve been an abysmal cover option all year, going just 13-26 ATS overall, including 7-12 ATS at home. The Leafs also have an elite offence as they rank fourth in the NHL with 3.56 goals per game, so it’s a little surprising the total has actually gone Under in six of their last nine games.
Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche came out on top in a battle between the last two Stanley Cup champions on Wednesday. Valeri Nichushkin potted two goals on the power play and Logan O’Connor scored in the third period as Colorado outshot Vegas 35-25. Nathan MacKinnon had an assist and now sits second in NHL scoring with 67 (22G, 45A) points. Fresh off being named the NHL’s first star for the month of December, MacKinnon has vaulted to a +210 favourite to win the Hart Trophy. MacKinnon is just the fourth player in NHL history with a season-opening home points streak of at least 23 games.
Georgiev looked sharp on Wednesday, making 25 saves for his second shutout of the season. Georgiev, who is expected to start again on Saturday, has a 23-9-2 record this season with a 2.88 goals-against average and .898 save percentage. His 35 games played and 23 wins both lead the NHL this season. There’s been no update on the status of defenceman Josh Manson, who has missed the last two games with a lower-body injury. Winger Miles Wood won’t travel with the team due to illness.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Auston Matthews led the way for Toronto on Thursday, scoring two goals less than three minutes into the second period. Bobby McMann also had a goal in the game, but the Leafs blew a two-goal lead and lost in overtime. Matthews currently leads the NHL with 33 goals which puts him on pace to record the NHL’s first 70-goal season since Alexander Mogilny and Teemu Selanne each scored 76 goals in 1992-93. The Toronto sniper is the clear-cut favourite to win the Rockey Richard Trophy at -200.
Martin Jones made 26 saves on Thursday, recording his first loss in five games. Jones, who began the season No. 3 on the depth chart, has taken full control of the Leafs’ crease. Overall, he is 8-3-1 in 11 starts (13 appearances) with a 2.15 GAA and .928 SV. Jones will likely start against Colorado on Saturday, while Toronto could decide to start the recently recalled Ilya Samsonov on Sunday night against Detroit.
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