Anaheim Ducks vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Prediction, NHL Odds
The Maple Leafs saw their epic swoon extend to eight games with Tuesday’s 3-1 loss in Montreal. Now sitting 13 points out of wild card contention with just 17 games left on their schedule, the Leafs would likely have to run the table to preserve any hope of qualifying for the NHL playoffs. Conversely, the Ducks are riding high atop the Pacific Division standings after opening their current four-game all-Canadian road trip with Tuesday’s 4-1 win in Winnipeg that marks their eighth victory in 10 games.
Thursday’s contest is pegged as a virtual pick ’em, with both clubs pegged as a -110 bet on the NHL odds, and the total is listed at 6.5.
Ducks vs. Maple Leafs NHL Betting Odds
The Maple Leafs have dominated Anaheim in recent seasons, claiming victory in 12 of 14 meetings and are undefeated in seven home dates with the Ducks going into the first clash of the season between these clubs. The Leafs have limited Ducks shooters to just seven total goals while claiming victory in each of their past five tilts, with the UNDER going 3-1 over their past four contests. However, the Leafs have struggled to contain opponents during their late-season slide, allowing 4.38 goals per game and have been lit up for 4.75 goals per game while losing eight straight on home ice. The Buds have been equal inept up front, scoring more than two goals just once while potting just 1.88 goals per game and have seen six of their recent eight home defeats come by multi-goal margins. Conversely, the Ducks have slammed the door on opponents, allowing just a single goal in two of their past four, and two or fewer goals in five of 11 outings. Accordingly, the UNDER has paid out in five of their past six contests.
Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks received contributions from up and down the lineup with seven different skaters cracking the scoresheet in Tuesday’s win over the Jets. Rearguard Jackson LaCombe maintained his steady post-Olympic pace with a goal and an assist in his second multi-point outing in three games, and has now piled up two goals and six helpers in eight games since the break. Both Ryan Poehling and Alex Killorn also turned in two-point performances. Killorn snapped a five-game drought with his goal and assist while Poehling has now picked up four points in four games, and posted multiple points three times since the beginning of February. That secondary scoring is critical for Ducks in the absence of Troy Terry and John Carlson, both of whom are sidelined by injury.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Joseph Woll’s 30-save performance was nowhere nearly enough to save the Leafs from yet another loss in Tuesday’s defeat at the hands of the Canadiens. Toronto mustered just 18 shots in the loss, with William Nylander potting the club’s lone goal in the contest. Nylander has remained one of the few bright spots on this roster. The slick Swede has recorded a point in six straight games and has gotten in on 50% of the Leafs’ goals over that stretch. However, it was yet another forgettable night for Auston Matthews, John Tavares, and Matthew Knies. The trio have combined to produce just one total point over the past three games, and Matthews has now failed to bulge the twine in 12 games while Tavares and Knies have combined to score just one total goal over the past six games. With their playoff hopes all but evaporated, Leafs fans can’t be blamed for expecting this group to be fighting for jobs. However, expecting a turnaround on Thursday against one of the NHL’s hottest teams is simply too much to expect.
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