Anaheim Ducks vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Prediction, NHL Odds
After back-to-back losses, the Leafs got back in the win column on Tuesday night and returned home just two points out of first in the division. Anaheim has their hands full coming into a back-to-back in Toronto, who have only lost four games at home this season.
The NHL odds have Toronto as a heavy -400 favourite to win at home, with the total set at 6.0 goals. Puck drop from Scotiabank Arena is set for 7 p.m. ET.
Ducks vs. Maple Leafs NHL Betting Odds
This will be the first game of the season between these squads, and the Ducks will be looking to flip the script after losing eight of their last 10 meetings against the Leafs. Their first of two games last year was a close defensive battle, with the Leafs taking a 2-1 overtime win, but their second was an absolute beatdown by the Leafs, pounding Anaheim 9-2. Over the last two seasons, they have played the OVER 3-1, with Toronto outscoring the Ducks 19-7.
Anaheim’s offence has been stale over the past 10 games, being held to two goals or fewer in seven games, which has dragged their goals per game down to 2.37 on the year. Despite failing to cover the spread in three of their past four games, they still have covered the spread the third-most of any team in the league at 18-9.
Despite all their firepower upfront, the Leafs have stuck to a pretty defensive structure this season under new head coach Craig Berube. They rank in the bottom third in goals per game (2.93), but rank fifth best in goals-against (2.57). This sort of game plan has led them to a 10-16-2 record on the OVER/UNDER. They have only covered in three of their past eight and are 17-11 ATS this season.
Anaheim Ducks
After a tough shootout loss in Montreal, the Ducks road trip continued in Ottawa on Wednesday night. The Senators came flying out of the gate, scoring their first of the game at 2:55 and never looked back. The Ducks could not stay out of the box, giving the Senators five power plays, in which they scored three goals and had a 5-0 lead by the midway point of the third. Cutter Gauthier got the Ducks on the board to avoid the shutout, for a 5-1 final.
Anaheim has scored a combined five goals over their four-game skid, while their goalies have combined for an .822 save percentage. John Gibson was in goal for three games and will likely serve as the backup versus Toronto on Thursday. Lukas Dostal has been leaned on heavily by the Ducks, posting an impressive .921 save percentage despite his 6-7-3 record. He will look to lead Anaheim away from a season-high losing streak.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto got back in the win column, taking down the New Jersey Devils 2-1 in overtime on Tuesday night. Captain Auston Matthews went end-to-end after a huge stop by Anthony Stolarz to snipe the game-winner, his ninth goal of the campaign. The Leafs had no business winning as they were outshot 39-17, but Stolarz continued his impressive run early this month, allowing just four goals in three December games.
The lack of offence has to be a bit concerning for Leafs’ fans, as they have scored just five goals over their past three games and were outshot in each of those efforts. Their power play has gone 1-8 in the past three games and is clicking at just 19.3 per cent on the year.
The Buds have a chance to tie the Florida Panthers for the Atlantic Division lead on Thursday, with both teams in action versus cross-conference opponents.
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