Winnipeg Jets vs. Toronto Maple Leafs: NHL Odds, Prediction
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David Bastl
This great Saturday match-up features the two best teams in Canada, and the only two teams in Canada that will take part in the NHL’s post season. As always when these two teams meet – the debate continues between Auston Matthews and Patrik Laine. The two superstar forwards went one and two overall in the 2016 draft, and will be forever linked because of it.
Jets vs Maple Leafs Betting Analysis
These two teams met back on October 4 (first game on the season), as the Maple Leafs pounded Steve Mason and the Jets 7-2. Since that time, both teams have had great seasons, both getting set for the post season. Overall, the Jets are 8-3 in the last 11 games against the Maple Leafs, but the stat that stands out between these two team is the over. In the last 16 games in Toronto, the over is an impressive 13-3, and 21-7 in the last 28 games overall.
Winnipeg Jets
Not only were the Jets embarrassed in Chicago Thursday night, losing 6-2 to the Blackhawks, but they also were not able to score on an emergency back-up goaltender who has never played a minute in the NHL. 36 year-old Scott Foster, an accountant by day, replaced injured starter Collin Delia and stopped all seven shots he faced in 14 minutes of work to preserve the win. “It wasn’t a good night, it wasn’t good from the start” said veteran forward Bryan Little after the game. The team will have to regroup as they welcome back starter Connor Hellebuyck in goal who got a rare night off Thursday. He’ll look to build off of his personal career best numbers on the season. Hellebuyck is riding a five game winning streak, and has 41 victories on the season.
Toronto Maple Leafs
This will be game two of a back-to-back for the Maple Leafs. Friday night in Brooklyn, the Leafs knocked off the Islanders 5-4, to take the two points. In this game with last change, Nazem Kadri will have the defensive responsibilities of shadowing Mark Scheifele. Kadri may be the Maple Leafs most complete player, taking care of key match-ups with the opposition, but has also put together back-to-back 30 goal campaigns for the first time in his career. Frederik Andersen got the start Friday night against the Islanders, so expect back-up Curtis McElhinney to get the start Saturday. McElhinney hasn’t been your typical back-up this season, with a 10-4-1 record and a save percentage of .935.
