In a game between two teams that have put themselves squarely in the playoff picture, the Washington Capitals and the Toronto Maple Leafs clash at Scotiabank Arena. The opening face-off is at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 21, and you will be able to witness this Eastern Conference matchup live on NBC Sports Washington.
Washington Capitals at Toronto Maple Leafs Odds
With a moneyline of -160, Toronto comes into the matchup as the heavy favorite. The line for Washington is standing at +140, and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 7 goals (-130 over, +110 under).
The Maple Leafs are 36-23 straight up (SU) and have not been kind to moneyline bettors (to the tune of -1.0 unit) thus far. That winning percentage, ranked third in the NHL in this young season, is right in line with the 49-33 record the team posted during the 2017-18 season campaign. Of the team’s 59 regular season outings, 28 have gone under the total, while 27 have gone over and just four have pushed. This season, the team is 17-12 SU at home.
Toronto has converted on 20.8 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated ninth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.0 percent of all penalties.
As a team, Toronto has been penalized just 2.8 times per game overall this season, and 1.6 per game over its last five contests at home. The team’s had to kill penalties for just 5.3 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, in total.
Averaging 30.6 saves per game with a .923 save percentage, Frederik Andersen (27-15-3) has been the most dependable goalkeeper for the Maple Leafs this season. If the Leafs decide to give him a rest, however, the team might go with Garret Sparks (7-6-6 record, .908 save percentage, 2.86 goals against average).
The Leafs will continue to look for offensive production from Mitchell Marner and John Tavares. Marner (69 points) has tallied 21 goals and 48 assists and has recorded multiple points in 21 different games this year. Tavares has 33 goals and 30 assists to his credit and has recorded a point in 39 games.
In the other locker room, Washington is 33-27 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.5 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 60 regular season outings, 31 of its games have gone over the total, while 26 have gone under the total and just three have pushed. Washington’s 16-13 SU as the away team this season.
Washington has converted on 21.6 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 22nd overall and it’s successfully killed off 78.4 percent of all opponent power plays.
Washington’s players have been called for penalties 4.0 times per game this season, and 3.2 per game over their last five on the road. The team has had to kill penalties 8.8 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Braden Holtby (28.1 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Washington. Holtby has 20 wins, 22 losses, and six OT losses to his credit, and has registered a .907 save percentage and 3.04 goals against average this year.
Alex Ovechkin (42 goals, 27 assists) will pace the offensive attack for the visiting Capitals.
Washington Capitals at Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Predictions
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Maple Leafs, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- For both of these teams, the under has hit in three of their last five matches.
- Washington has managed 27.8 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Toronto is averaging 34.2 shots per game over its last five home outings.
- The Capitals are 14-6 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 21-15 when they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 total minutes.
- Toronto is ranked 7th this season with 8.7 takeaways per game. That figure’s trended down recently, however, as the team has created 7.3 takeaways over its last 10 games and 7.8 takeaways over its last five.
- Washington has managed 5.4 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 8.3 takeaways per game (ranked ninth).
