Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Edmonton Oilers Prediction, NHL Odds
The top two teams in the North Division clash on Saturday in the first of a three game set at Rogers Place in Edmonton. The Oilers trail Toronto by just four points, so this series is crucial to both team’s position within the division.
On the NHL odds the teams opened at identical -110 odds to win on the moneyline. Edmonton’s puckline is the safer bet at -244, while the total for the game is set at 6.5.
Maple Leafs vs. Oilers Betting Analysis
In a condensed season, road games are going to be more important than ever and Toronto is capitalizing on that. The Leafs only have one regulation loss outside of Scotiabank Arena and have hit the Over in five of their eight road games. They’re not as good at covering the spread on the road, as they have only done so twice this season. Toronto is 8-13 against the spread overall.
Despite having the NHL’s top two leading scorers, Edmonton hasn’t been blowing goalies out of the water this season. The Oilers have hit the Over in 11 of 22 games, including seven times at home. Edmonton has been average at covering, going 11-11 ATS overall, covering six times at home.
Toronto Maple Leafs
There’s no better team than the Leafs in the North Division and with a four-point lead in the standings there’s a good chance it stays that way for a while. The main concern for Toronto is obviously the availability of Auston Matthews. Leading the NHL with 18 goals, Matthews aggravated an already existing wrist injury that has plagued him since the start of the season in the Leafs 2-1 OT win over Calgary on Wednesday. Despite the injury, Matthews was actually able to assist on both of William Nylander goals. Matthews leads the team with 31 points (18G, 13A) in 20 games. With the calibre of star Matthews is, coach Sheldon Keefe has been elusive on his playing status and will likely stay that way, so it’s a situation to keep an eye on.
Injuries are the key questions facing the Leafs right now. While it still looks like Frederik Andersen will continue to miss time, Jack Campbell participated in his first full practice since a leg injury suffered just over a month ago. Michael Hutchinson will likely start on Saturday, but Campbell looks like he is ready to return at some point during the three game set with Edmonton. Now sporting a full face shield, defenceman Jake Muzzin also looks ready to return after suffering a broken bone in his face. Regardless of where Matthews is at heath-wise, we’re likely not going to hear anything until just before puck-drop, but one forward that should be back is Joe Thornton. Thornton has missed the last two games with a lower body injury, but was a full participant at Friday’s practice, skating on a line with John Tavares and Mitch Marner.
Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers are finally starting to become a dangerous team and are essentially the only potential rival to Toronto’s dominance in the North Division. Having the NHL’s two leading scorers (Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl) will do that for a team. Edmonton has now won five straight games and 11 of their last 13. Thursday’s 3-0 win in Vancouver gave the Oilers their sixth straight road victory for the first time since the 1986-87 season, the heyday of the Oilers’ dynasty. McDavid picked up a goal and an assist against the Canucks and is No. 1 in league scoring with 40 points, while Draisaitl is No. 2 with 34 points (10G, 24A). Edmonton’s 79 goals on the year is the most of any team in the NHL.
Since returning from the IR, Mike Smith has arguably been the best goalie in the league. He is 6-0-0 and his .944 save percentage is No. 1 in the NHL among goalies with at least six games played, while his 1.73 goals-against average is No. 2. As the hottest team in the North Division and starting a three game home stand against Toronto, this is a perfect opportunity for the Oilers to jump the Leafs for first in the North.
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