New York Islanders vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Prediction, NHL Odds
The Toronto Maple Leafs look to play spoiler and establish their first win streak in almost six weeks when they host the surging New York Islanders on Tuesday night in NHL betting action at Scotiabank Arena.
The Maple Leafs return home after picking up a 4-2 win in Minnesota on Sunday, and have now won two of three since snapping a devastating eight-game losing streak that all but extinguished their playoff hopes.
The Islanders open a three-game Canadian road trip in Toronto after eking out a 3-2 win over Calgary on Saturday. That marked the Isles’ 11th win in 16 games, a run that has lifted them into third place in the Metropolitan Division standings. .
The Islanders have emerged as -145 road favourites on Thursday’s NHL odds. The Leafs trail as +120 underdogs on the NHL moneyline, and the total is pegged at 6.0.
Islanders vs. Maple Leafs NHL Betting Odds
The Islanders skated to a 4-3 win in Toronto on January 3 in the only previous meeting between these clubs this season, halting a two-game losing streak against the Leafs. But overall, the Islanders have dominated the Leafs in recent seasons, claiming victory in seven of 10 head-to-head clashes since the start of the 2022/2023 NHL season.
However, those victories have not come easy, with six of the past 10 dates between these clubs getting settled by just a single goal, and the UNDER paying out in totals betting in three of their past five tilts.
Overall, the Islanders have built their recent success with steady performance on the road, going 5-2-0 in their past seven away dates, but have need overtime to secure four of those victories, and have seen eight of their past 11 contests settled by one goal.
The Maple Leafs have gotten passed their recent freefall by picking up points in each of their past three games, a run that began with a 6-4 character win over the Pacific Division-leading Anaheim Ducks. But in addition to their failure to record consecutive victories in their past 11 games overall, the Leafs have also struggled at home, posting just one win in 11 appearances since January 10.
New York Islanders
Goals have come at a premium for the Islanders during their current 3-1-0 run, with the club bulging the twine just 11 total times including a pair of overtime markers and just five total even-strength goals in regulation.
Rookie rearguard Matthew Schaefer has emerged as a key contributor on the Isles’ limited attack, picking up points in four of the past five games and seven points in seven games this month. Schaefer also emerged as the hero in the club’s 4-3 OT win in Toronto in January, potting a pair of goals including the game winner.
Bo Horvat has also averaged a point per game over his past five outings. The Islanders’ leading goalscorer has also bulged the twine in each of his past three road appearances but has failed to score in the past two games.
Toronto Maple Leafs
While the Islanders offence has sputtered, the Leafs attack has found new life, even in the absence of injured captain, Auston Matthews. The Buds have averaged four goals per game during their 2-0-1 run.
Matthew Knies has elevated his game during a three-game points streak that has produced two goals and four assists. That marks a big turnaround for the 26-year-old forward, who scored just once in his previous seven outings and tallied just eight points in his previous 14 games.
William Nylander was held off the scoresheet in Minnesota, but remains the club’s offensive leader after piling up six goals and nine markers in his previous 13 games.
Bo Groulx has made the best of his late-season Leaf debut. The journeyman centre scored twice versus the Wild and has recorded three goals in his four appearances to date, potting game winners in each of the team’s past two victories.
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