The Toronto Maple Leafs (16-6-6), second in the NHL standings for the Atlantic Division and one of the hottest NHL teams in the league, host the New York Rangers (21-7-1), first in the Metropolitan, Tuesday in a rematch from one week ago, when the Maple Leafs beat the Rangers 7-3 on home ice. Toronto is 6-1-3 in its last 10 NHL games, while the Rangers have won two in a row and are 6-4 in their last 10 games.
Rangers vs Maple Leafs Picks
- Pick 1: Rangers +1.5 (-245)
- Pick 2: Over 6.5 (-105)
Igor Shesterkin (2.91 GAA, .906 save percentage) is expected to start in goal for the Rangers, while Martin Jones (1.86 GAA, .949 save percentage) is the likely starting goaltender for the Maple Leafs, considering he’s coming off of a 39-save shutout performance over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday. Let’s check out the Rangers vs Maple Leafs best bets.
New York Rangers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Odds
Rangers vs. Maple Leafs Information
New York Rangers vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Location of the game: Scotiabank Arena. Toronto, Ontario.
Date & Time: Tuesday, December 19. 7:00 p.m. ET.
How to Watch: ESPN+ | TSN4 (Canada)
Recent Scores
- The Toronto Maple Leafs standings have improved considerably with points in 14 of their last 15 games.
- The team cemented its current position as one of the NHL picks to make the playoffs in the Atlantic with a dominant 7-0 win over the Penguins on Saturday without NHL league-leading goalscorer Auston Matthews in the lineup.
- The Rangers, meanwhile, have won the last two games on the New York Rangers schedule, including a 2-1 overtime win against the Boston Bruins on Saturday.
- Shesterkin made 21 saves in the win and Vincent Trochek scored both goals.
New York Rangers vs Toronto Maple Leafs Analysis
New York has been one of the most consistent teams all season, rarely losing consecutive games on the NHL schedule. They’re 11-4-1 on the road this season and rank 12th in goals per game (2.72) and eighth in goals allowed (2.72). They’re a top-10 team in most statistical categories.
Artemi Panarin leads the Rangers in NHL player stats ahead of the Rangers vs Maple Leafs best bets with 42 points (16 goals, 26 assists). He has 15 more points than New York’s next-highest scorer, Trochek, who has eight goals and 19 assists. Eight other players have at least 10 points.
Leafs’ Offensive Surge
The Maple Leafs, meanwhile, were once outside of the top 15 in goals per game and that didn’t seem too long ago. Now, they’re second in goals (3.64) and have even shored up their defense and goaltending – outside of Ilya Samsonov – to the point where they’re T15th in goals allowed (3.18). They’ve outscored their opposition 27-16 in their last five games. Moreover, they have 20 goals in their last three games.
William Nylander leads the Maple Leafs in scoring with 40 points (15 goals, 25 assists), while Matthews is second with 35 points (23 goals, 12 assists). Captain John Tavares, fourth in team scoring, will be honored tonight for having recorded his 1,000th career point last week against his former team, the New York Islanders. Tavares has nine points in a current seven-game point streak.
Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko are on the NHL injury report for the Rangers. Goalie Joseph Woll is the most notable absence for the Maple Leafs, while Ryan Reaves and Mark Giordano are also out with injuries. T.J. Brodie didn’t play Saturday against Pittsburgh due to an illness.
Odds Breakdown
- New York Rangers: The Rangers are slight underdogs in the Rangers vs Maple Leafs best bets with -105 moneyline odds and +1.5 (-245) puck line odds. The over/under is 6.5.
- Toronto Maple Leafs: The Maple Leafs are -115 moneyline favorites with -1.5 (+190) puck line odds.
New York Rangers vs Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Pick and Prediction
It’s hard not to expect plenty of goals considering the offensive firepower of both teams. New York will be extra motivated to return the favor after a 7-3 loss to the Maple Leafs on home ice last week, but Toronto has been playing so well as of late that it’s tough to project a Rangers win. The Rangers puck line might be the best bet.
- Pick 1: Rangers +1.5 (-245)
- Pick 2: Over 6.5 (-105)
If you love sports and want more sports betting information follow us as @InsidersBetDig on Twitter and sign up to our mailing list for free betting picks.