It's an original-6 matchup as the New York Rangers travel to Canada to face off with the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. Chase the puck with us as we deliver our NHL odds series while making a Rangers-Maple Leafs prediction and pick and show you how to watch it.
On Monday, the Rangers defeated the Florida Panthers 6-2 at Madison Square Garden. Mike Zibanejad led the way with two goals and an assist. Meanwhile, Artemi Panarin distributed three helpers to pace the Rangers. Defenseman Adam Fox added a goal and two assists. Ultimately, goalie Igor Shesterkin made 33 saves to protect the net. The Rangers won 51 percent of their faceoffs. Additionally, they converted on their only powerplay chance while also going 1 for 2 on the penalty kill. New York blocked 21 shots and turned up the physicality with 22 hits. Subsequently, they entered the third period leading 3-1 before turning it up a notch and finishing Florida off.
On Monday, the Maple Leafs defeated the New York Islanders 5-2. William Nylander was the first star, with two goals and two assists. Moreover, former Islander John Tavares sunk his team with one goal and one assist. Justin Holl added to the fun with two assists. Meanwhile, goalie Ilya Samsonov produced, with 31 saves. The Leafs took 39 shots. However, they persevered despite winning only 45 percent of their faceoffs. Toronto went 1 for 2 on the powerplay and killed off two penalties. Conversely, they did not have the physicality, losing the hits battle 49-30. But the Leafs did block 25 shots.
The Rangers enter this contest with a record of 26-14-7. Also, they are 14-5-3 on the road. New York is 7-2-1 in its last 10 games. Meanwhile, the Leafs enter this matchup with a record of 29-11-8. They are 18-3-4 at Scotiabank Arena. Also, they are 6-3-1 in their previous 10 games.
The Rangers are 7-3 over the last 10 matchups with the Maple Leafs. Additionally, they are 7-3 over the previous 10 games at Scotiabank Arena. The Rangers defeated the Leafs 3-1 on December 15, 2022, at Madison Square Garden.
Here are the Rangers-Maple Leafs NHL odds, courtesy of FanDuel
NHL Odds: Rangers-Maple Leafs Odds
New York Rangers: +1.5 (-192)
Toronto Maple Leafs: -1.5 (+154)
Over: 6 (-104)
Under: 6 (-118)
How To Watch Rangers vs. Maple Leafs
TV: TNT & SportsNet
Stream: NHL
Time: 7 PM ET/4 PM PT
*Watch NHL games LIVE with fuboTV (click for a free trial)*
Why The Rangers Could Cover The Spread
The Rangers continue to roll and are consistently playing at a high level. However, they have a top-heavy team and thrive only when certain players excel. Panarin is their best star, with 12 goals and 38 assists, along with two powerplay goals. Moreover, Zibanejad has been another excellent option with 22 goals and 27 assists, including 13 powerplay conversions. Fox has 10 goals and 38 assists, with one goal on the powerplay. Then, there is Vincent Trocheck, who has 13 goals and 19 assists, including eight snipes on the extra-man attack. Chris Kreider continues to hum along, with 19 goals and 11 assists, along with four powerplay markers. Consequently, these five players must help a Rangers team that ranks 16th in goals. New York also is 20th in shooting percentage and 16th on the powerplay.
Shesterkin is 21-8-6 with a goals-against average of 2.44 and a save percentage of .918. Significantly, he leads a New York team that is fifth in goals allowed and 12th on the penalty kill. Shesterkin will need to bring his “A” game to beat the Maple Leafs.
The Rangers could cover the spread if they capitalize on scoring chances and control possession. Moreover, they must defend their side well and not allow opportunities.
Why The Maple Leafs Could Cover The Spread
The Leafs have some of the most elite scorers in the league. Thus, it is good to look at some of them. Nylander has 26 goals and 30 assists, with six snipes on the powerplay. Also, Mitchell Marner has 17 goals and 39 assists, with five powerplay goals. Auston Matthews continues to roll, with 25 goals and 28 assists, including 10 powerplay conversions. Next, Tavares is a wonder, with 21 goals and 26 assists, including nine powerplay markers. These four lead an offense that is seventh in goals, 10th in shooting percentage, and seventh on the powerplay.
The Leafs roll with two goalies. Substantially, Samsonov and Matt Murray have produced solid numbers. Samsonov is 15-4-2 with a goals-against average of 2.21 and a save percentage of .920. Meanwhile, Murray is 11-5-2 with a goals-against average of .273 and a save percentage of .911 The tandem helps a Toronto team that ranks seventh in goals allowed and 16th on the penalty kill.
The Maple Leafs could cover the spread if their “core four” get hot and produce on scoring chances. Likewise, they must avoid taking penalties.
Final Rangers-Maple Leafs Prediction & Pick
The Rangers have dominated this series. Therefore, expect them to stay in this game and cover the spread.
Final Rangers-Maple Leafs Prediction & Pick: New York Rangers: +1.5 (-192)
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