Edmonton Oilers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Prediction, NHL Odds
The Oilers are riding a four-game losing streak, capped by a 4-1 loss to the Rangers on Monday, while Toronto has been off since a 6-0 dismantling of the Senators on Saturday.
The Leafs are -229 favourites to win on the NHL odds, with a total of 6.0.
Oilers vs. Maple Leafs NHL Betting Odds
This concludes the season series between these teams following Toronto’s 5-1 win in Edmonton on Dec. 14. Auston Matthews had two goals in that game, while Connor McDavid was held off the scoresheet. Just under 80 per cent of Sports Interaction bettors are on the Leafs for this game, with about the same percentage taking the Over.
There’s been a complete drop-off in Edmonton following their hot start to the season. The Oilers have lost 10 of their last 12 games overall, including five of their last six on the road. They’re 14-19 against the spread overall this year and 8-9 ATS on the road. The total has gone Under in seven of the Oilers’ last 10 games.
Toronto comes into Wednesday with wins in four of their last five games overall and a 13-4-1 home record on the year. They’re 12-19 ATS, failing to cover in 12 of 18 home games. The total has gone Over in seven of the Leafs’ last nine games overall and four of their last five at home.
Edmonton Oilers
It will obviously be a big blow to the lineup if McDavid isn’t cleared to play Wednesday. The Edmonton superstar leads the league in points (53) and assists (34), while averaging 22:30 time on ice. Leon Draisaitl will shoulder more of the offensive burden with McDavid out, although the German star is more than capable. Draisaitl is second in NHL scoring with 52 points, including an NHL-best 24 goals.
McDavid (seven shots on net) and Draisaitl (two shots) were both held off the scoresheet in New York. Ryan McLeod was the only Edmonton player to find the back of the net, despite the Oilers outshooting the Rangers 34-28. Mikko Koskinen made 24 saves in the loss. With Mike Smith consistently hurt, Koskinen has struggled and is a major reason why Edmonton has given up the first goal in 20 of their last 24 games. Rookie Stuart Skinner will likely get the start in Toronto. Skinner is 4-5-0 this year, posting a 2.70 goals-against average and .916 save percentage.
Toronto Maple Leafs
It didn’t look like there was much rust in Toronto’s blowout win over Ottawa on Saturday. It was the Leafs’ first game since the 5-1 Edmonton win on Dec. 14. Justin Holl and Ilya Mikheyev both scored their first goals of the season shorthanded on the same penalty kill. T.J. Brodie had a second period marker, while Mikheyev scored again in the third period and William Nylander also finished with a two-goal game. Jack Campbell made 23 saves for his fourth shutout of the year. It should be Campbell between the pipes again on Wednesday. The Leafs’ No. 1 goalie is 16-5-2 on the year. Among goalies who have played at least three games, Campbell is second in GAA (1.86), SV (.939) and shutouts (4).
The main concern for Toronto in this game is the status of Matthews, although it looks more likely that he will play than McDavid will. Matthews, who leads Toronto with 33 points and is fourth in NHL goals with 20, has missed the last two days of practice because of a positive COVID test on Monday. The Leafs star has tested negative with a more accurate test since then, meaning he just needs one more negative test to be eligible to play.
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