Air Canada Centre will be hosting an East-West clash as the Toronto Maple Leafs welcome the visiting Dallas Stars. It’s the last time that the two clubs will meet in the regular season. The opening face-off takes place at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 14, and you are able to witness the game live on Sportsnet.
Dallas Stars at Toronto Maple Leafs Odds
The Maple Leafs are 40-29 straight up (SU) and have netted moneyline bettors 3.4 units this year. That winning percentage, the third-best in the Atlantic Division in this young season, is a welcome improvement over the 40-42 record from last year’s regular season campaign. Of the team’s 69 games this season, 34 have gone over the total, while 31 have gone under and just four have pushed. The team’s 23-10 SU at home this season.
Toronto’s converted on 21.7 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated seventh overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.7 percent of all penalties.
Toronto, as a collective unit, has been penalized just 3.3 times per game overall this season, and 2.4 per game over its last five home outings. The team’s had to kill penalties for just 5.3 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, overall.
Averaging 31.2 saves per game with a .919 save percentage, Frederik Andersen (34-23-5) has been the top option in goal for the Maple Leafs this season. If they choose to give him the night off, however, head coach Mike Babcock may go with Curtis McElhinney (7-6-6 record, .931 save percentage, 2.20 goals against average).
The Leafs will continue to lean on the offensive production out of Mitchell Marner and William Nylander. Marner (56 points) is up to 19 goals and 37 assists and has recorded two or more points 13 times this year. Nylander has 14 goals and 36 assists to his name and has recorded a point in 37 contests.
Over on the other bench, Dallas is 38-32 straight up (SU) and has lost 4.2 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of 34 of its games have gone over the total, while 33 have gone under and just two have pushed. As an away team, Dallas is 14-19 SU.
Dallas has converted on 20.0 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 10th overall and it’s successfully defended 82.4 percent of all opponent power plays.
Dallas’ players have been penalized 4.3 times per game this season, 4.6 per game over their last five games total, and 4.8 per game over their last five on the road. The team has had to kill penalties 11.8 minutes per game over their last five road outings.
Ben Bishop (2.49 goals against average and .917 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Dallas. Bishop is averaging 25.3 saves per game and has 26 wins, 25 losses, and five overtime losses to his credit.
Tyler Seguin (36 goals, 29 assists) will lead the attack for the visiting Stars.
Dallas Stars vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Predictions
Prediction: SU Winner – Maple Leafs, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- The over has hit in four of Toronto’s last five games.
- The extra-man advantage could prove to be key tonight. The Stars are 14-13 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 22-16 in games where they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 minutes, total. The Maple Leafs are 15-9 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 30-27 in games where their penalty minutes are in the single digits.
- Two of Toronto’s last ten games have gone to a shootout. The team is 1-1 in those games and 6-2 overall in shootouts this year.
- Toronto has created 10.2 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 8.2 takeaways per game (ranked 8th in the NHL).
- Dallas is ranked 29th in the NHL with 5.7 takeaways per game. That figure has trended down recently, however, as the team has created 4.9 takeaways over its last 10 games and 4.4 takeaways over its last five.
