Maple Leafs vs Capitals Prediction

pickdawgz.com

24 October 2023

The Toronto Maple Leafs will play the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. Toronto has lost two of their last three games, while Washington only has one win on the season.

Maple Leafs Preview

The Toronto Maple Leafs are 3-2-0 this year after they defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning by a score of 4-3 in overtime. Toronto tied the game at three in the third period, before winning in overtime on a goal from John Tavares. The Maple Leafs out shot Tampa Bay by a total of 52-33 and went 0-2 on the power play in the win. Prior to the win, Toronto lost two games in a row to Florida and Chicago. The Toronto Maple Leafs are scoring 3.60 goals per game and they are allowing 3.80 goals against per game, while going 29.4% on the power play and 76.5% on the penalty kill. John Tavares has led the Maple Leafs this season with two goals, seven assists, and 23 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Toronto is Joseph Woll, who is 1-1-0 this year with a 1.69 goals against average and a .949 save percentage.

Capitals Preview

The Washington Capitals are 1-2-1 this season after they lost to the Montreal Canadiens in overtime by a score of 3-2 in their last game. Washington trailed 2-0 in the third period, but they were able to tie the game at two, before losing in overtime. The Capitals out shot Montreal by a total of 33-28 and went 0-5 on the power play in the loss. Washington’s lone win came against the Flames in their second game of the year. The Washington Capitals are scoring 1.25 goals per game and they are allowing 3.75 goals against per game, while going 0.0% on the power play and 73.7% on the penalty kill. John Carlson has led the Capitals with one goal, two assists, and 11 shots on goal this year. The projected starting goalie for Washington is Darcy Kuemper, who is 1-1-1 this season with a 3.56 goals against average and a .887 save percentage.

Washington Capitals Team Facts

The Capitals have lost each of their last six games against Atlantic Division opponents.
The Capitals have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last 10 games against Atlantic Division opponents.
The 'Over 1.5 Goals Period 1' market has hit in each of the last four games between the Maple Leafs and Capitals at Capital One Arena.
The Capitals have lost the third period in each of their last five games as underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.

Toronto Maple Leafs Team Facts

The Maple Leafs have lost nine of their last 10 games as favorites following a road win.
The Maple Leafs have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last seven games as favorites following a road win.
The 'Over 1.5 Goals Period 1' market has hit in each of the Maple Leafs' last four night games at Capital One Arena.
The Maple Leafs have won the third period in each of their last four night games against the Capitals following a road win.

Washington Capitals Player Prop Facts

Alex Ovechkin has scored at least one goal in each of his last four appearances against Atlantic Division opponents at Capital One Arena.
John Carlson has recorded at least one point in eight of his last nine appearances against the Maple Leafs.
John Carlson has recorded at least one assist in each of the Capitals' last four games against the Maple Leafs at Capital One Arena.
Dylan Strome ranks T9th in the league for multi-goal game (1) this season.

Toronto Maple Leafs Player Prop Facts

William Nylander has scored a goal in four of his last five appearances against Eastern Conference opponents.
Tyler Bertuzzi has recorded at least one point in each of his last six appearances with his team as a favorite against Metropolitan Division opponents.
William Nylander has recorded an assist in each of the Maple Leafs' last five games as favorites.
John Tavares ranks T2nd in the league for multi-assist games (2) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

The Washington Capitals ranks 25th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.75).
The Washington Capitals ranks T1st in the league in short handed goals allowed this season (0).
The Toronto Maple Leafs ranks 1st in the league for shots per game this season (38.6).
The Toronto Maple Leafs are one of only two teams to win multiple games when trailing by 2 or more goals after Period 1 this season.

Pick

Washington comes into this game really struggling this season, as they have scored a total of six goals in four games. Toronto started the season with two wins, but they have lost two out of three games since. The Maple Leafs are the much better offensive team in this matchup and they are averaging over 38 shots on goal per game. I cannot take the Capitals until I see some more goal scoring, so give me the Maple Leafs on the road here.