Islanders vs. Maple Leafs NHL Betting Odds, Picks: Auston Matthews reamins hot for Toronto
The Toronto Maple Leafs look to snap their first two-game losing streak of the season when they host the New York Islanders on Saturday night in NHL betting action at Scotiabank Arena.
The Leafs extended their early-season habit of blowing early leads with Thursday’s 5-4 loss to Buffalo, and have now surrendered a worrisome 4.20 goals per game during a middling 2-1-2 run.
The Islanders are coming off a 2-1 shootout loss in Ottawa on Thursday night, and are now winless in three road dates so far this season.
The Maple Leafs lead the way as -140 home favourites on Saturday’s NHL odds. The Islanders trail as +120 underdogs, and the total is listed at 6.0.
Islanders vs. Maple Leafs NHL Betting Odds
Saturday’s matchup marks the second meeting of the season between these clubs after the Leafs claimed a narrow 2-1 victory on home ice on September 30 to halt a three-game head-to-head losing streak. Overall, Toronto has won three of six meetings with the Isles, with these clubs combining to score more than four total goals just twice over that stretch.
While the Leafs have managed to pick up at least a point in four of their past five games, their 3-3-2 start to the season has been disappointing. The club has blown early leads in three of their past five outings including multi-goal leads over Buffalo and a 3-0 advantage in Vegas on October 8, and now ranks 23rd in the NHL with a bloated 3.38 team goals against average.
Conversely, the Islanders have been plagued by a lack of consistent scoring, potting two or fewer goals in three of their first seven contests of the campaign, and just four total goals while going 0-2-1 on the road. However, the Isles have been far more responsible on defence, surrendering just 17 total goals through seven outings and just four total markers over their past two contests.
New York Islanders
The Islanders attack mustered just one goal in Thursday’s shootout loss to Ottawa, with former Leaf Matias Maccelli scoring the team’s lone regulation goal. Bo Horvat continues to anchor the top line between Maccelli and Kyle Palmieri, which has produced results, with the trio combining to pot eight goals and seven assists to date.
However, the line of Brayden Schenn, Cal Ritchie and Victor Eklund has produced just four total goals to date.
Heading into the weekend, New York still remains without Mathew Barzal, who has missed the opening seven games because of a knee injury. Barzal’s absence significantly reduces the Islanders’ speed, creativity and ability to generate offence off the rush.
Alexander Romanov is also sidelined with a torn ACL, leaving additional defensive responsibilities to Adam Pelech, Ryan Pulock and Matthew Schaefer. The 19-year-old defenceman scored 23 goals last season, matching the NHL rookie record for a defenceman.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Once again, the Leafs’ biggest issue was front and centre versus Buffalo. While the Buds have filled the net, they have struggled to protect leads while consistently suffering defensive breakdowns.
However, not all the news is bad. Kirill Marchenko recorded his first hat trick as a Maple Leaf in Thursday’s loss, while Auston Matthews added to his team-leading total with his seventh goal of the season.
William Nylander was finally held off the scoresheet, but trails only Matthews with five goals and seven helpers.
One of Thursday night’s most interesting developments was coach Jim Hiller’s decision to sit Gavin McKenna for the final 32:54 against the Sabres. The heralded rookie played only 6:36 despite entering the game with five points in seven appearances, and Hiller subsequently acknowledged that he should have handled McKenna’s playing time differently.
In addition, injuries remain a concern. Chris Tanev is sidelined week-to-week with an upper-body injury sustained against Colorado. His absence removes an important defensive presence from a team already struggling to protect its own zone.
John Tavares collected two assists against Buffalo before leaving in the third period following a collision and is listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
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