Detroit Red Wings vs. Toronto Maple Leafs: NHL Odds, Prediction

Sports Interaction Staff
Last Updated: November 6, 2017

Two of the early-season powers in the Atlantic Division resume their storied rivalry Wednesday as the Detroit Red Wings visit the Toronto Maple Leafs. Detroit has been an early-season surprise with wins in four of its last six games, while the Leafs have also exceeded expectations and come in off an impressive 2-0 victory in Washington. Despite the low-scoring affair, Toronto still leads the NHL in offence and will look to put that on full display against the rival Wings.

Red Wings vs. Leafs

Moneyline: Maple Leafs -200

Date: Wednesday, October 17, 7 p.m. ET

Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ont.

NHL Odds and Betting Analysis

Toronto is a heavy favorite on the NHL odds board, having looked nearly flawless on offense while showing dramatic improvement on the defensive end in holding the high-powered Washington attack without a goal Tuesday. But beware the dreaded back-to-back trend, one that has seen the Maple Leafs win just 20 of their last 63 games on the back end of games on consecutive days. They went 6-10-1 in those situations last season.

This game has all the makings of an over play, with Toronto opting to play its backup goalie and the Red Wings having scored 10 goals in their previous two road games. Detroit has gone over in four of its last five games played on one days’ rest, while the Maple Leafs have played over the total in all but one of its first six contests. That all said, this series has been a breeding ground for unders, with 12 of the last 16 meetings going below the total.

Detroit Red Wings

One of the biggest question marks surrounding Detroit coming into the season: Where would the goals come from? The answer, at least early on, is that they’re coming from everywhere. Seven players have scored two or more goals, led by Henrik Zetterberg, Martin Frk and Anthony Mantha with three apiece. Mantha has been particularly impressive in his second full season, as he sits tied for the team lead in points with seven.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Frederik Andersen will cede starting goalies duties to Curtis McElhinney against the Red Wings; McElhinney went 8-8-2 with a 2.70 GAA last season. Toronto’s power play has been predictably dangerous (28.6-percent success rate, second in NHL), but head coach Mike Babcock might be more impressed with a penalty-killing unit that comes into this one ranked 12th at 81.5 percent. Detroit’s power-play unit has scuffled so far, ranked 19th overall at 16.7 percent.