The Leafs and the Lightning meet Saturday night for their first clash since an epic seven-game first-round playoff series last season.
The Lightning ultimately took that series and lost in the Stanley Cup Final, extending Toronto’s 18-year playoff series win drought.
But the Leafs are as good as ever in the present day, with zero regulation losses in their last 10 outings. Toronto’s second in the Atlantic Division at 15-5-5, and the Lightning are right behind at 14-8-1. Saturday also kicks off a six-game home stand for Tampa Bay.
Puck drop at Amalie Arena gets started at 7 p.m. EST, with Tampa Bay a -130 moneyline favourite and the over-under at six on the NHL odds.
Maple Leafs vs. Lightning NHL Betting Odds
Toronto comes in having a flawless record over their last six road games, and also being 7-3-2 on the road for the season. Tampa Bay’s quite dominant at home though with a 7-3-1 record on home ice. The over is also 8-3 in Tampa’s 11 home games, and 8-2 in the last 10 Maple Leafs–Lightning matchups.
Tampa Bay ranks sixth in scoring this season, potting 3.48 goals per game. Toronto’s a top three squad when it comes to keeping pucks out of their net, allowing 2.48 goals per game. Over a current five-game win streak, Toronto’s let in just eight goals.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto’s been getting stout goaltending from a trio of goalies this season, but it’s now a healthy Matt Murray’s crease. Murray, who will start Saturday at Tampa Bay, has a 5-1-1 record this season to go with a .927 save percentage. As a team Toronto’s still getting a .916 save percentage from Murray, backup Ilya Samsonov, and Erik Kallgren.
Both Auston Matthews and Mitchell Marner found the back of the net the last time Toronto took the ice, a 3-1 win over San Jose Wednesday. Marner’s goal extended his point streak to a franchise record-tying 18 games, so something to look out for Saturday. Marner also leads the club with 29 points, but Matthews and captain John Tavares are hot on his tail with 27 and 26 points respectively.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Steven Stamkos recorded his 1,000th point in Thursday’s 4-1 victory at Philadelphia, becoming the first place in franchise history to do so. Stamkos is also six goals away from 500, and 55 games away from 1,000. He’s now second on the team in points with 28, and first with 13 goals. Nikita Kucherov continues to lead the Lightning with 35 points in 23 games, reasserting just how dominant he can be when healthy.
Andrei Vasilevskiy picked up his ninth win of the season Thursday. Despite having a .908 save percentage on the season, Vasilevskiy’s allowed two or fewer goals in four of his last five starts.
NHL Prediction: Who Will Win Maple Leafs vs. Lightning?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 2 Dec 10:11pm | TOR | -1.5 +196 | O +6 -120 |
| Closing 4 Dec 12:01am | TOR | -1.5 +205 | O +6 -102 |
- Regular Season
Maple Leafs Team Leaders
| Points |
60 |
| + / - |
19 |
| Shots |
200 |
| Penalty Mins |
62 |
| Wins |
17 |
| GAA |
2.42 |
| Points |
72 |
| + / - |
13 |
| Shots |
167 |
| Penalty Mins |
65 |
| Wins |
23 |
| GAA |
2.51 |
- Regular Season
Lightning Team Leaders
| Points |
60 |
| + / - |
19 |
| Shots |
200 |
| Penalty Mins |
62 |
| Wins |
17 |
| GAA |
2.42 |
| Points |
72 |
| + / - |
13 |
| Shots |
167 |
| Penalty Mins |
65 |
| Wins |
23 |
| GAA |
2.51 |
Injuries
Matt Murray (G)
Timothy Liljegren (D)
Pontus Holmberg (RW)
Rasmus Sandin (D)
Bobby McMann (C)
Auston Matthews (C)
TJ Brodie (D)
William Nylander (RW)
Rasmus Sandin (D)
Timothy Liljegren (D)
Pat Maroon (LW)
Nick Perbix (D)
Zach Bogosian (D)
Victor Hedman (D)
Andrei Vasilevskiy (G)
Erik Cernak (D)
Mikhail Sergachev (D)
Vladislav Namestnikov (C)
Haydn Fleury (D)
Rudolfs Balcers (LW)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Murray (G) | Mid Feb | Ankle - 27 / 01 / 23 | 1-2 | 1-1-1 | + - |
|
Murray is sidelined with an ankle injury, and he is not likely to return until the middle of February. |
|||||
| Timothy Liljegren (D) | Ques Sat | Upper Body - 20 / 01 / 23 | 3-3 | 2-3-1 | + - |
|
Liljegren exited the previous game with an upper-body injury, and it is unknown if will be available for Saturday's match against the Canadiens. |
|||||
| Pontus Holmberg (RW) | Ques Thurs | Illness - 17 / 01 / 23 | 4-4 | 4-3-1 | + - |
|
Holmberg has sat out the last two games with an illness, and it is unclear if he will face the Jets on Thursday. |
|||||
| Rasmus Sandin (D) | Ques Thurs | Illness - 16 / 01 / 23 | 4-4 | 4-3-1 | + - |
|
Sandin was held out of the previous game due to an illness, and it remains to be seen if he will line up for Thursday's battle with the Jets. |
|||||
| Bobby McMann (C) | Ques Tues | Illness - 14 / 01 / 23 | 4-5 | 4-4-1 | + - |
|
McMann missed the last game due to an illness, and it is unknown if he will be in Tuesday's lineup versus the Panthers. |
|||||
| Auston Matthews (C) | Prob Sat | Undisclosed - 11 / 01 / 23 | 5-6 | 5-5-1 | + - |
|
Matthews missed the previous two games with an unknown injury and a separate illness. It is anticipated that he will return to action Saturday against the Bruins. |
|||||
| TJ Brodie (D) | Ques Sun | Ribs - 08 / 01 / 23 | 6-6 | 5-6-1 | + - |
|
Brodie has been activated from the injured reserve list after recovering from a rib injury, and it remains to be seen if he will return for Sunday's contest against the Capitals. |
|||||
| William Nylander (RW) | Prob Thurs | Illness - 04 / 01 / 23 | 6-8 | 6-7-1 | + - |
|
Nylander is battling an illness, but it is not expected to affect his status for Thursday's clash with the Kraken. |
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| Rasmus Sandin (D) | Prob Tues | Neck - 20 / 12 / 22 | 8-12 | 11-8-1 | + - |
|
Sandin has been assigned to the injured reserve list with a neck injury, but he is likely to return Tuesday against the Blues. |
|||||
| Timothy Liljegren (D) | Prob Sat | Upper Body - 15 / 12 / 22 | 9-13 | 12-9-1 | + - |
|
Liljegren is dealing with an upper-body injury, but it is likely that he will take on the Capitals on Saturday. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pat Maroon (LW) | Prob Tues | Undisclosed - 23 / 01 / 23 | 2-2 | 2-2 | + - |
|
Maroon is tending to an undefined issue, but it is projected that he will face the Wild on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Nick Perbix (D) | Prob Tues | Upper Body - 15 / 01 / 23 | 5-4 | 4-3-2 | + - |
|
Perbix missed the last four games due to an upper-body injury, but it is likely that he will be in Tuesday's lineup versus the Wild. |
|||||
| Zach Bogosian (D) | Ques Tues | Undisclosed - 06 / 01 / 23 | 6-6 | 5-3-4 | + - |
|
Bogosian was absent for the last game due to an undefined issue, and it remains to be seen if he will be in Tuesday's match against the Blue Jackets. |
|||||
| Victor Hedman (D) | Out indefinitely | Personal - 06 / 01 / 23 | 6-6 | 5-3-4 | + - |
|
Hedman is away from the team for the birth of his child, and it is unclear when he will return to the lineup. |
|||||
| Andrei Vasilevskiy (G) | Ques Fri | Illness - 06 / 01 / 23 | 6-6 | 5-3-4 | + - |
|
Vasilevskiy is ailing from an illness, and it is unknown if he will be active for Friday's clash against the Jets. |
|||||
| Erik Cernak (D) | Ques Sat | Undisclosed - 29 / 12 / 22 | 9-7 | 6-6-4 | + - |
|
Cernak exited the last game with an undefined issue, and it is unknown if he will take on the Coyotes on Saturday. |
|||||
| Mikhail Sergachev (D) | Ques Tues | Undisclosed - 13 / 12 / 22 | 13-9 | 8-9-5 | + - |
|
Sergachev has missed the previous two games due to an undefined injury, and it is undetermined if he will take on the Maple Leafs on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Vladislav Namestnikov (C) | Prob Thurs | Lower Body - 13 / 12 / 22 | 13-9 | 8-9-5 | + - |
|
Namestnikov was held out of the previous contest with a lower-body issue, but it is likely that he will be available for Thursday's matchup against the Blue Jackets. |
|||||
| Haydn Fleury (D) | Prob Tues | Lower Body - 05 / 12 / 22 | 14-11 | 10-10-5 | + - |
|
Fleury has missed the last three contests with a lower-body injury, but it is likely that he will suit up for Tuesday's matchup against the Kraken. |
|||||
| Rudolfs Balcers (LW) | Early Feb | Upper Body - 25 / 11 / 22 | 16-14 | 13-12-5 | + - |
|
Balcers is on the injured reserve list with an upper-body injury, and he is not likely to be activated until the beginning of February. |
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TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
3 -
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
2
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 2 Dec 10:11pm TOR -1.5 +196 O +6 -120 Closing 4 Dec 12:01am TOR -1.5 +205 O +6 -102 -
- Regular Season
Maple Leafs Team Leaders
Points 60
+ / - 19
Shots 200
Penalty Mins 62
Wins 17
GAA 2.42
Points 72
+ / - 13
Shots 167
Penalty Mins 65
Wins 23
GAA 2.51
-
- Regular Season
Lightning Team Leaders
Points 60
+ / - 19
Shots 200
Penalty Mins 62
Wins 17
GAA 2.42
Points 72
+ / - 13
Shots 167
Penalty Mins 65
Wins 23
GAA 2.51
-
Injuries
Matt Murray (G)
Mid Feb Ankle - 27 / 01 / 23Timothy Liljegren (D)
Ques Sat Upper Body - 20 / 01 / 23Pontus Holmberg (RW)
Ques Thurs Illness - 17 / 01 / 23Rasmus Sandin (D)
Ques Thurs Illness - 16 / 01 / 23Bobby McMann (C)
Ques Tues Illness - 14 / 01 / 23Auston Matthews (C)
Prob Sat Undisclosed - 11 / 01 / 23TJ Brodie (D)
Ques Sun Ribs - 08 / 01 / 23William Nylander (RW)
Prob Thurs Illness - 04 / 01 / 23Rasmus Sandin (D)
Prob Tues Neck - 20 / 12 / 22Timothy Liljegren (D)
Prob Sat Upper Body - 15 / 12 / 22Pat Maroon (LW)
Prob Tues Undisclosed - 23 / 01 / 23Nick Perbix (D)
Prob Tues Upper Body - 15 / 01 / 23Zach Bogosian (D)
Ques Tues Undisclosed - 06 / 01 / 23Victor Hedman (D)
Out indefinitely Personal - 06 / 01 / 23Andrei Vasilevskiy (G)
Ques Fri Illness - 06 / 01 / 23Erik Cernak (D)
Ques Sat Undisclosed - 29 / 12 / 22Mikhail Sergachev (D)
Ques Tues Undisclosed - 13 / 12 / 22Vladislav Namestnikov (C)
Prob Thurs Lower Body - 13 / 12 / 22Haydn Fleury (D)
Prob Tues Lower Body - 05 / 12 / 22Rudolfs Balcers (LW)
Early Feb Upper Body - 25 / 11 / 22Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Matt Murray (G) Mid Feb Ankle - 27 / 01 / 23 1-2 1-1-1 + - Murray is sidelined with an ankle injury, and he is not likely to return until the middle of February.
Timothy Liljegren (D) Ques Sat Upper Body - 20 / 01 / 23 3-3 2-3-1 + - Liljegren exited the previous game with an upper-body injury, and it is unknown if will be available for Saturday's match against the Canadiens.
Pontus Holmberg (RW) Ques Thurs Illness - 17 / 01 / 23 4-4 4-3-1 + - Holmberg has sat out the last two games with an illness, and it is unclear if he will face the Jets on Thursday.
Rasmus Sandin (D) Ques Thurs Illness - 16 / 01 / 23 4-4 4-3-1 + - Sandin was held out of the previous game due to an illness, and it remains to be seen if he will line up for Thursday's battle with the Jets.
Bobby McMann (C) Ques Tues Illness - 14 / 01 / 23 4-5 4-4-1 + - McMann missed the last game due to an illness, and it is unknown if he will be in Tuesday's lineup versus the Panthers.
Auston Matthews (C) Prob Sat Undisclosed - 11 / 01 / 23 5-6 5-5-1 + - Matthews missed the previous two games with an unknown injury and a separate illness. It is anticipated that he will return to action Saturday against the Bruins.
TJ Brodie (D) Ques Sun Ribs - 08 / 01 / 23 6-6 5-6-1 + - Brodie has been activated from the injured reserve list after recovering from a rib injury, and it remains to be seen if he will return for Sunday's contest against the Capitals.
William Nylander (RW) Prob Thurs Illness - 04 / 01 / 23 6-8 6-7-1 + - Nylander is battling an illness, but it is not expected to affect his status for Thursday's clash with the Kraken.
Rasmus Sandin (D) Prob Tues Neck - 20 / 12 / 22 8-12 11-8-1 + - Sandin has been assigned to the injured reserve list with a neck injury, but he is likely to return Tuesday against the Blues.
Timothy Liljegren (D) Prob Sat Upper Body - 15 / 12 / 22 9-13 12-9-1 + - Liljegren is dealing with an upper-body injury, but it is likely that he will take on the Capitals on Saturday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Pat Maroon (LW) Prob Tues Undisclosed - 23 / 01 / 23 2-2 2-2 + - Maroon is tending to an undefined issue, but it is projected that he will face the Wild on Tuesday.
Nick Perbix (D) Prob Tues Upper Body - 15 / 01 / 23 5-4 4-3-2 + - Perbix missed the last four games due to an upper-body injury, but it is likely that he will be in Tuesday's lineup versus the Wild.
Zach Bogosian (D) Ques Tues Undisclosed - 06 / 01 / 23 6-6 5-3-4 + - Bogosian was absent for the last game due to an undefined issue, and it remains to be seen if he will be in Tuesday's match against the Blue Jackets.
Victor Hedman (D) Out indefinitely Personal - 06 / 01 / 23 6-6 5-3-4 + - Hedman is away from the team for the birth of his child, and it is unclear when he will return to the lineup.
Andrei Vasilevskiy (G) Ques Fri Illness - 06 / 01 / 23 6-6 5-3-4 + - Vasilevskiy is ailing from an illness, and it is unknown if he will be active for Friday's clash against the Jets.
Erik Cernak (D) Ques Sat Undisclosed - 29 / 12 / 22 9-7 6-6-4 + - Cernak exited the last game with an undefined issue, and it is unknown if he will take on the Coyotes on Saturday.
Mikhail Sergachev (D) Ques Tues Undisclosed - 13 / 12 / 22 13-9 8-9-5 + - Sergachev has missed the previous two games due to an undefined injury, and it is undetermined if he will take on the Maple Leafs on Tuesday.
Vladislav Namestnikov (C) Prob Thurs Lower Body - 13 / 12 / 22 13-9 8-9-5 + - Namestnikov was held out of the previous contest with a lower-body issue, but it is likely that he will be available for Thursday's matchup against the Blue Jackets.
Haydn Fleury (D) Prob Tues Lower Body - 05 / 12 / 22 14-11 10-10-5 + - Fleury has missed the last three contests with a lower-body injury, but it is likely that he will suit up for Tuesday's matchup against the Kraken.
Rudolfs Balcers (LW) Early Feb Upper Body - 25 / 11 / 22 16-14 13-12-5 + - Balcers is on the injured reserve list with an upper-body injury, and he is not likely to be activated until the beginning of February.