Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Washington Capitals: NHL Odds, Prediction

Goals a-plenty could be in the offing Tuesday as the high-powered Toronto Maple Leafs visit the Capitals in Washington. The Maple Leafs come into this one leading the NHL with 26 goals, while the Capitals are close behind with 22. Toronto is coming off a 4-3 overtime victory over the Montreal Canadiens and have been a perfect over play through five games; Washington dropped an 8-2 decision in Philadelphia on Saturday and has also been a solid over play.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Washington Capitals

Moneyline: Capitals -150

Date: Tuesday, October 17, 7 p.m. ET

Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.

NHL Odds and Betting Analysis

Washington is getting plenty of respect from oddsmakers despite struggling at the back end, having given up as many goals as it has scored. But this team has bounced back from bad defensive efforts of late, winning 11 of its last 12 after giving up five or more goals in its previous contest. At +130, this is the largest underdog play Toronto has been this season; the Leafs are 2-0 straight-up as an ‘dog, but 52 percent of Sports Interaction bettors like Washington on the NHL odds board.

With these two teams combining for 48 goals, it’s no surprise that a whopping 97 percent of participants are taking the over-6 play. Toronto has gone over in all five games in 2017-18, while the Capitals are 5-1 in favor of the over. The Maple Leafs have seen no fewer than seven goals in each of their first five outings, and are averaging nine combined goals per game so far. But the Capitals have played to the under in nine of their previous 13 home games.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto’s special teams have been a major contributor to the Maple Leafs’ stretch of high-scoring games through the first week-and-a-half of the season. The Leafs enter Tuesday ranked second in the NHL in power-play proficiency at 30.8 percent, but are just 20th in penalty killing at 79.2 percent. Toronto has also been getting contributions from everywhere, with seven skaters having potted multiple goals.

Washington Capitals

The Capitals have thoroughly dominated the Atlantic, having won 55 of their previous 71 games against the division. But to extend that run, they’ll need another strong effort from netminder Braden Holtby, who has posted a 2.47 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage in four starts. Holtby was victimized by the Maple Leafs last season, surrendering seven goals in just 45 shots in two meetings.

Maple Leafs vs. Capitals prediction

Maple Leafs 4, Capitals 3