Two teams that both played last night, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Detroit Red Wings clash at Little Caesars Arena in an Original Six showdown. The opening face-off takes place at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 18, and you can watch it live on Sportsnet.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Detroit Red Wings Odds
Toronto is 35-25 straight up (SU) and has earned 4.1 units for moneyline bettors this year. 28 of its games have gone under the total, while 27 have gone over and just four have pushed. This 2017-18 Maple Leafs team is 16-15 SU on the road.
Toronto has converted on 20.4 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. Its penalty kill is ranked third overall, and it’s successfully killed off 83.3 percent of its penalties.
For the team as a whole, Toronto has been called for penalties just 3.4 times per game in the 2017-18 season, and 2.3 per game over its last ten games. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays just 4.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Boasting a .921 save percentage and 31.4 saves per game, Frederik Andersen (30-20-4) has been the primary option in goal for Toronto this season. Andersen did just play last night, however, so head coach Mike Babcock might decide to rest him and turn to Curtis McElhinney instead (6-4 record, .932 save percentage, 2.27 goals against average).
Auston Matthews and Mitchell Marner will both look to continue their strong seasons for the visiting Maple Leafs. Matthews (48 points) is up to 26 goals and 22 assists, and has recorded two or more points in 14 different games. Marner has 13 goals and 32 assists to his name (and has notched a point in 27 games).
On the other bench, Detroit is 24-33 straight up (SU) and has lost 7.8 units for moneyline bettors thus far. 32 of its games have gone under the total, while 24 have gone over and none have pushed. It’s 12-18 SU as the home team this season.
Detroit has converted on 18.5 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 25th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 77.7 percent of all opponent power plays.
Detroit skaters have been penalized 3.8 times per game in total this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five at home. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 8.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jimmy Howard (26.3 saves per game) has been the primary selection in goal for Detroit. Howard has 16 wins, 26 losses, and six overtime losses to his credit and has registered a mediocre 2.83 goals against average and a .910 save percentage this season.
Dylan Larkin (nine goals, 34 assists) will pace the attack for the Red Wings.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Detroit Red Wings Free Picks
Pick: SU Winner – Maple Leafs, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- The total has gone under in three of Detroit’s last five games.
- Power-play chances may be key in this one. The Maple Leafs are 12-9 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 25-23 in games where they’re in the box for fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Red Wings are 8-11 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 16-22 when their penalty minutes are in the single digits.
- Detroit is 4-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Toronto is 5-1 in shootouts.
- Detroit is ranked 22nd in the league with 6.6 takeaways per game. That figure has trended higher, as the team has managed 7.6 takeaways over its last 10 games and 7.2 takeaways over its last five.
- Toronto has averaged 6.0 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 8.2 takeaways per game (ranked ninth).
- Toronto may hold an advantage if it’s a tight one late. The teams an impressive 17-8 in games decided by one goal, while Detroit is only 8-15 in such games.
