Maple Leafs picks and props vs. Predators Dec. 9: Bet the over in offensive affair
The Nashville Predators are in town to take on the Toronto Maple Leafs, who'll be without a key member.
The pregame narrative: Joseph Woll is out with an ankle injury, and that will be a major loss for a team that doesn't have much behind him. Toronto's goaltending uncertainty should put the over in play. Additionally, Nashville is a solid choice on the double chance market as it enters Saturday's contest as a sizeable underdog.
NHL oddsas of 10:12 a.m. ET on 12/09/2023.
Maple Leafs picks vs. Predators
Best Bet: Over 6 goals - regular time (-122)
It's unclear who'll be starting in place of Woll on Saturday, but a lack of appealing options behind him is a cause for concern.
Ilya Samsonov is the logical choice to get the start but an illness impacted his practice status earlier in the week. Martin Jones backed up Woll against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, instead of Samsonov, because of this illness.
It's hard to feel overly confident in Samsonov, even if he is healthy enough to go. He owns an .878 save percentage this campaign despite seizing control of the No. 1 job last year.
Jones is Toronto's other option and his track record doesn't inspire optimism, either. He posted an .886 save percentage for the Seattle Kraken last year and has an .895 save percentage across his last six seasons.
Both offences are capable of filling the net. The Predators rank 15th in goals per game (3.23) while the Maple Leafs slot in at 10th (3.30).
Key stat: The over on this total has hit or pushed in four of Nashville's last five games.
Quick pick
Predators or tie - regular time (-122): Nashville is rolling, and that puts the value squarely on the visitors in this contest.
The Predators have won nine of their last 11 games, scoring victories over top teams like the Colorado Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning.
Toronto's recent inconsistencies make it difficult to see how it can come through in this matchup. The Maple Leafs have won three of their last six games.
They've also failed to finish teams off in regulation. The Leafs have failed to cover this wager in six of their last seven outings.
