Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Chicago Blackhawks Prediction, Preview, and Odds

The Toronto Maple Leafs face the Chicago Blackhawks with both teams on opposite ends of the standings this season. The Maple Leafs have a 34-14-8 record and with back-to-back wins have the second-best record in the Atlantic Division. The Blackhawks have a 17-32-5 record and with only three wins in their last 10 games have fallen to last place in the Central Division. Both teams are looking to improve within their divisions and the upcoming game looks to be a good one as a result.

Maple Leafs defense has been remarkable

The Maple Leafs are having a great season with their offense stepping up and scoring 3.38 goals per game. Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews, and William Nylander have scored 75 goals and 109 assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has also been great. John Tavares, Michael Bunting, and Calle Jarnkrok have combined for 52 goals and 66 assists while defensemen Morgan Rielly and Mark Giordano have added five goals and 45 assists from the point to open up the offense.

The offense has been great but the defense has carried the Maple Leafs, allowing only 2.65 goals per game. Mark Giordano and Timothy Liljegren have combined for 6.8 defensive point shares and 170 blocked shots while Justin Holl, Rasmus Sandin, and T.J. Brodie have combined for 7.3 defensive point shares to add depth to the unit. In addition, goaltender Ilya Samsonov has been great with a .918 save percentage and a 2.31 goals-against average on 741 shots with 8.8 goals saved above average.

Blue Jackets defense has been awful

The Blackhawks are having an awful season with their offense struggling immensely, scoring only 2.43 goals per game. Max Domi, Patrick Kane, and Taylor Raddysh have scored 39 goals and 60 assists but the rest of the offense has struggled. Only six skaters have nine goals or more and opponents can eliminate the hapless offense as a result.

The offense has been awful but the defense has let the Blackhawks down, allowing 3.63 goals per game with 16 goals in the last four games. Jake McCabe and Connor Murphy have combined for 5.5 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has been awful, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net at will. In addition, goaltender Petr Mrazek has struggled with a .885 save percentage and a 3.95 goals-against average on 810 shots with -16.7 goals saved above average.

Best Bets for this Game

Full-Game Side Bet

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The Blackhawks look to pull off the upset on their home ice but the Maple Leafs are one of the best teams in the NHL and look to overwhelm them from the first period. The Maple Leafs should find the back of the net at will against a Blackhawks defense that allows 3.63 goals per game with Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews, and the rest of the forward unit establishing a strong offensive zone presence and creating open shots with effective passes near the net. The Maple Leafs, who allow only 2.65 goals per game, should limit the Blackhawks' offense, which averages only 2.43 goals per game, with Mark Giordano, Justin Holl, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Ilya Samsonov to make plenty of big saves. The Maple Leafs should win the game and cover the spread in a dominant win on the road.

Prediction: Maple Leafs -1.5 (-120)

Full-Game Total Pick

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The Maple Leafs scored five goals in their previous meeting and both offenses look to step up and make this game a high-scoring one. The Blackhawks should create plenty of scoring chances with Patrick Kane, Max Domi, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes. The Maple Leafs, who average 3.38 goals per game, should run up the score against a Blackhawks defense that has allowed 16 goals in the last four games, with Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and the rest of the forward unit crashing the net on the rush and creating open shots with effective puck movement while defensemen Morgan Rielly and Mark Giordano pick apart the Blackhawks defense from the point. The Over should cover in a high-scoring game with both offenses stepping up.

Take the Over on 6.5 goals.

Prediction: Over 6.5

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