By the time this weekend comes to a close in the NHL, most teams in the league will see their schedule down to the final 10 games or so. That is not a lot of time to make a move, especially for those who are still on the wrong side of the playoff line in their respective conferences. Over the next week, we are going to begin to see more playoff spots clinched, which will only serve to put more pressure on the teams currently engaged in a battle for those coveted spots. With so few games left, now is not the time to go into any type of slump, as the chances of pulling out of it and staying alive become slimmer with each passing day. Both the Nashville Predators and the Toronto Maple Leafs are occupying playoff spots right now, but neither of them can really be considered to be in a comfortable position. The Predators in particular are in the fight of their lives in the Western Conference. This is a massive game for both teams, and it is the Maple Leafs who are favored by 1 ½ on home ice. The goal total for this one is set at 6 ½. Let’s see how the NHL odds will be for the Predators vs Maple Leafs.
Predators vs Maple Leafs 2020 NHL Game Preview & Betting Odds
- When: Thursday, March 12 at 7 PM EST
- Where: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
- TV:
- NHL Odds: Toronto Maple Leafs -1.5 / Total 6.5
Why bet on the Nashville Predators
Given their current standing in the Western Conference, where the Predators are currently in the #8 spot, every game for the last couple of weeks has felt a lot like a playoff game. You do have to say that the Predators are rising to the occasion, winning 3 in a row and going 6-3-1 in their last 10 games. That has not really allowed them to open up any sort of gap, though, as the Vancouver Canucks, who sit directly below the playoff line, are equal on 81 points with the Predators. Nashville has actually been better on the road than they have been at home this season, going 18-12-4, which is one win better than their home ice record. They are 15-9-3 versus teams from the East, but they lost 5-2 in their last meetings with the Maple Leafs.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 3.12
- Shots: 33.14
- PP/PK Percentage: 17.26
- Goals: 3.14
- Shots: 31.23
- PP/PK Percentage: 23.72
Why bet on the Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have not been the most convincing team in the world this season, but they have managed to keep themselves ahead of the pack and in the #3 spot in the Atlantic Division. The Leafs are 36-25-9 on the season, which gives them 81 points and has them 3 points ahead of the Florida Panthers in 4th in the division. As you can see from their point total, though, they need to stay top 3, as falling below that could also mean falling below the playoff line in the Eastern Conference. The Leafs are 5-4-1 in their last 10 games and have gone 18-9-7 in their own building this season. Versus teams from the West, they are a healthy 16-10-3.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 3.4
- Shots: 32.86
- PP/PK Percentage: 22.84
- Goals: 3.24
- Shots: 31.91
- PP/PK Percentage: 22.16
Predators vs Maple Leafs NHL Betting Trends
- The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Nashville’s last 19 games.
- Nashville are 6-3 SU in their last 9 games.
- Nashville are 2-5 SU in their last 7 games against Toronto.
- The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Nashville’s last 9 games on the road.
- Nashville are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against Toronto.
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto’s last 5 games.
- The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Toronto’s last 9 games against Nashville.
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto’s last 6 games at home.
- Toronto are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against Nashville.
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto’s last 6 games this season.
Predators vs Maple Leafs Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction
Nashville has seen 13 of their last 19 games fall UNDER the point total, so expect another tight one here, which should mean that the Predators cover the spread. I actually like Nashville to win this one outright.
Nashville Predators 3 Toronto Maple Leafs 2
