Toronto Maple Leafs at Detroit Red Wings Free Preview

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Little Caesars Arena is playing host an Original Six showdown as the Toronto Maple Leafs visit Motor City to take on the Detroit Red Wings. Fox Sports Detroit will showcase the matchup, and the puck drops at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, December 15.

Toronto Maple Leafs at Detroit Red Wings Odds

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Toronto is 20-13 straight up (SU) and has earned 3.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. 16 of its games have gone over the total, while 13 have gone under and just three have pushed. The Leafs are 10-8 SU as an away team in 2017-18.

Toronto has converted on 21.1 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s good enough for seventh-best in the NHL. Additionally, its penalty kill is ranked 11th overall, and it has successfully killed off 82.2 percent of its penalties.

For the team as a whole, the Leafs have been whistled for penalties just 3.5 times per game overall in the 2017-18 season, and 2.2 per game over its last five road outings. The team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 5.3 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.

Averaging 31.6 saves per game with a .922 save percentage, Frederik Andersen (17-11-1) has been the best option in goal for Toronto this year. Andersen played last night, however, so Toronto might decide to rest him and go with Curtis McElhinney instead (3-2 record, .925 save percentage, 2.44 goals against average).

Auston Matthews and Nazem Kadri will both be relied on to produce for the visiting Maple Leafs. Matthews (26 points) is up to 13 goals and 13 assists, and has recorded two or more points eight times. Kadri has 13 goals and 10 assists to his nameand has logged at least one point in 18 games.

On the other side of the rink, Detroit is 11-20 straight up (SU) and has lost 9.3 units for moneyline bettors thus far. 16 of its games have gone over the total, while 15 have gone under and none have pushed. It’s 5-12 SU as the home team this season.

The Red Wings have converted on 20.4 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that’s good enough for ninth-best in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 11th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.4 percent of all opponent power plays.

Detroit players have been called for penalties 4.3 times per game in total this season, and 3.5 per game over their past ten contests. The teams been forced to kill penalties just 7.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.

Jimmy Howard has stopped 25.3 shots per game as the primary option in goal for the Red Wings. Howard has nine wins, 17 losses, and six OT losses to his name and has maintained a subpar .906 save percentage and 2.91 goals against average this year.

Dylan Larkin (five goals, 19 assists) will pace the offensive attack for the Wings.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Detroit Red Wings Betting Picks

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Predictions: SU Winner – Red Wings, O/U – Over

Betting Trends

  • Detroit is 2-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Toronto is 2-1 in shootouts.
  • The over has hit in three of Detroit’s last five outings.
  • Detroit has averaged 2.7 goals per game overall this year, but has been averaging 1.3 goals per matchup over its three-game losing skid.
  • Six of Detroit’s last ten outings have been decided by two or more goals. The club is 1-5 overall in those games.