Colorado Avalanche vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Prediction, Preview, and Odds

The Colorado Avalanche face the Toronto Maple Leafs in a matchup between two of the best teams in the NHL. The Avalanche have a 37-22-6 record and with back-to-back wins, have leaped into third place in the Central Division. The Maple Leafs have a 40-18-8 record and are in second place in the Atlantic Division. Both teams look to remain near the top of their conferences and the upcoming game should be a great one as a result.

Avalanche have look great on both ends of the ice

The Avalanche are having a great season with their offense stepping up and scoring 3.23 goals per game including 19 goals in the last four games. Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and J.T. Compher have scored 86 goals and 116 assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has also stepped up. Valeri Nichushkin, Evan Rodrigues, and Alex Newhook have combined for 39 goals and 54 assists while defensemen Cale Makar and Devon Toews have added 19 goals and 72 assists from the point to help open up the offense.

The offense has been great but the defense has also stepped up, allowing only 2.80 goals per game with only 11 goals in the last four games. Makar and Toews have combined for 8.9 defensive point shares and 179 blocked shots while Samuel Girard, Josh Manson, and Bowen Byram have combined for 5.7 defensive point shares to add depth to the unit. In addition, goaltender Alexandar Georgiev has been great with a .916 save percentage and 2.65 goals-against average on 1501 shots with 16.5 goals saved above average.

Maple Leafs have been carried by great offense

The Maple Leafs are having a great season with their offense leading the way, scoring 3.42 goals per game with 14 goals in the last three games. Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and Auston Matthews have scored 90 goals and 141 assists to leave the top two lines but the entire offense has been great this year. John Tavares, Michael Bunting, and Calle Jarnkrok have combined for 65 goals and 73 assists while defensemen Morgan Rielly and Mark Giordano have added six goals and 48 assists from the point to open up the offense.

The offense has been dominant but the defense has also stepped up, allowing only 2.70 goals per game. Mark Giordano and Justin Holl have combined for 8.2 defensive point shares and 239 blocked shots while Timothy Liljegren, T.J. Brodie, and Morgan Rielly have combined for 8.3 defensive point shares to add depth to the unit. In addition, goaltender Ilya Samsonov has been great with a .915 save percentage and a 2.41 goals-against average on 917 shots with 9.1 goals saved above average.

Best Bets for this Game

Full-Game Side Bet

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The Maple Leafs are one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference and look to win on their home ice. The problem is that the Avalanche have looked great recently and look to control this game from the first period. The Avalanche, who average 3.23 goals per game, should pile on the goals with Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with great puck movement. The Avalanche, who allow only 2.80 goals per game, should limit the Maple Leafs' offense with Cale Makar, Devon Toews, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shooting lanes, allowing goaltender Alexandar Georgiev to make plenty of big saves. The Avalanche should win the game and provide great odds in the process as road Underdogs.

Take the Avalanche money line as road Underdogs.

Prediction: Avalanche (+125)

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Full-Game Total Pick

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Both teams have great offenses that can easily make this game a high-scoring one. However, with a high total and both teams playing great defense, look for this game to be a low-scoring one from the opening puck drop. The Maple Leafs, who allow only 2.70 goals per game, should limit the Avalanche offense with Mark Giordano, Justin Holl, and the rest of the defense of unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net allowing goaltender Ilya Samsonov to make plenty of big saves. The Avalanche, who have allowed only 11 goals in their last four games, should eliminate the Maple Leafs' offense with Cale Makar, Devon Toews, Josh Manson, and the rest of the defensive unit forcing turnovers in the neutral zone and defensive zone while goaltender Alexandar Georgiev blanks the shots on the net. The Under should cover in a low-scoring game with both defenses stepping up.

Take the Under on 6.5 goals.

Prediction: Under 6.5

Mike Fink is a sports writer and a passionate football fan. After graduating from college, Fink picked up the passion he had since being a young child in following and covering all things sports and we are very excited to have him as a part of the StatSalt team. In recent weeks, Mike started a podcast which you can find on Spotify, called "The Mike and Grover Show" and it discusses all things football. He covers all forms of sports betting and also bets on all of the plays he gives out. Mike would advise hockey betting since the odds give you great payouts "Hockey is built to bet the Money Line Underdogs. Be sure and follow him on a daily basis.