Wild vs. Maple Leafs NHL Betting Odds, Picks: Skidding Toronto enters as home underdog against Minnesota
The Toronto Maple Leafs look to halt a four-game losing streak that has left them just one point out of last place in the Atlantic Division standings when they host the red-hot Minnesota Wild on Thursday night in NHL betting action at Scotiabank Arena.
The Leafs’ recent defensive woes continued with Tuesday’s 6-3 loss to Colorado, which marked the fifth time the club has surrendered 4+ goals during a dismal 1-6-0 run.
The Wild arrive in Toronto on the heels of Tuesday’s 2-1 overtime victory in Montreal, and have widened their lead atop the Central Division standings to five points while picking up at least a point in nine straight contests including six straight wins on the road.
The Wild lead the way as -175 road favourites on Tuesday’s NHL odds. The Leafs trail as +145 underdogs, and the total is listed at 6.5.
Wild vs. Maple Leafs NHL Betting Odds
In addition to their recent swoon, the Maple Leafs have regularly struggled against the Wild, losing three of four meetings including a pair of defeats in Toronto last January in which they were outscored by a 9-4 combined margin. Overall, Toronto has mustered just nine total goals over their past four dates with the Wild, and have tallied just two regulation wins in their past seven head-to-head matchups.
After opening the campaign on a respectable 7-4-2 run, during which they scored 4+ goals seven times, the Leafs have hit the skids, losing six of seven while averaging 2.43 goals per game. Defence and goaltending have also emerged as a massive concern, with Toronto allowing the first goal five times during their 1-5-0 slide and have held a lead for less than 13 total minutes during their four-game slide.
Conversely, the Wild have dominated at both ends of the ice during their current 7-0-2 run. Minnesota has limited opponents to two or fewer goals seven times over that stretch, while tallying six victories by multi-goal margins and have not trailed in regulation since their 4-3 overtime loss to the New York islanders on October 29.
Minnesota Wild
Kirill Kaprizov emerged as the hero on Tuesday night in Montreal, scoring just 21 seconds into the extra period, rewarding another strong defensive performance by this rapidly improving club. Kaprizov has now potted 17 goals in 20 games and six markers and 15 points during his current nine-game points streak.
In addition, Jesper Wallstedt has emerged as one of the NHL’s most effective goaltenders, posting a 12-2-3 record, 1.93 goals-against average and .925 save percentage.
While Minnesota has allowed a league-low 2.2 goals per game, the club’s success has not been solely dependent on goaltending. The Wild have adhered to a stingy defensive structure that has been particularly effective at limiting second-chance opportunities and protecting leads, while Minnesota shooters have scored almost four goals per game during their six-game road win streak.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Expected to play a key role in the Maple Leafs’ resurgence after the club finished last in the Atlantic last season, the play of Sergei Bobrovsky has become a major concern. The veteran netminder has compiled an .881 save percentage in 13 appearances and has lost five consecutive games. He has allowed at least three goals in all but one of his starts, and failed to come up with big saves in Tuesday’s heartbreaking loss to Colorado.
William Nylander has potted just one goal in four games and Auston Matthews is mired in a four-game scoring drought, further complicating matters.
In addition, Gavin McKenna has generated just two points in five games, and John Tavares is pointless in three games since his return and recorded just one shot on goal over the past two games.
Jack Roslovic has remained productive. The 29-year-old is coming off his fifth multi-point performance in nine games and has racked up 20 points through 19 games this season.
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