Maple Leafs odds and best bet vs. Flames Jan. 18: Fade Toronto on the road

The Toronto Maple Leafs are desperately looking to avoid a fifth straight loss against the Calgary Flames tonight.

The pregame narrative: The Leafs are coming off losing their third straight game in regulation and fourth overall. Toronto now heads on the road to face the Flames, who are winners of four straight. Amid the Leafs’ current slump, Calgary is our pick to win.

Below are our Maple Leafs odds and best bet vs. the Flames for Thursday, January 18.

NHL oddsas of 10:06 a.m. ET on 01/18/2024.

Maple Leafs odds and best bet vs. Stars

Best Bet:Flames moneyline (+107)

Calgary has seemingly turned its season around after winning 10 of the last 14 games, including victories over top contenders like Florida and Vegas. 

Goalie Jacob Markstrom has been instrumental to the Flames’ recent success, boasting a .936 save percentage and 2.02 goals against average over his last 10 starts, as well as seven wins. In his last three starts against Toronto, he holds a 2-1 record with a 2.01 GAA and .941 SV%.

The Flames have also been scoring at an extremely high rate recently. Over its current four-game win streak, Calgary has outscored opponents 18-8. Nazem Kadri is on a seven-game point streak, notching five goals and 10 points in the process.

NHL oddsas of 10:08 a.m. ET on 1/18/2024.

The Leafs, on the other hand, are going through their worst stretch of the season. Martin Jones has come back down to earth, registering a .882 SV% and a 3.67 GAA over his last three starts. Toronto has allowed four or more goals in each of its last four losses.

Toronto’s scoring has seemingly dried up too, notching just 10 goals over those four losses. The Leafs have struggled to score on the road recently, averaging just 2.80 goals per game over their last five away games.

Calgary has won its last three games at the Saddledome, while Toronto has lost two straight on the road. Consider fading the Leafs tonight amidst their current slump.

Key stat: The Flames are 5-1 in their last six games on home ice.