Kings vs. Maple Leafs Odds
| Kings Odds | +126 |
| Maple Leafs Odds | -152 |
| Over / Under | 6.5 -135 / +114 |
The first game of Tuesday's NHL doubleheader features the Toronto Maple Leafs playing host to the Los Angeles Kings.
Both teams are off to solid starts this year. Los Angeles is third in the Pacific while Toronto trails Boston for first place in the Atlantic.
Will the Leafs defend their home ice, or can the Kings pull off the road upset?
Here's a look at the Kings vs. Maple Leafs odds, as well as my betting pick and prediction.
Los Angeles Kings
The Kings are off to a much better start than their 4-2-2 record suggests. Those two regulation losses came against the Colorado Avalanche and Boston Bruins in games they were competitive in against Stanley Cup contenders.
Los Angeles' two shootout losses are also to top-tier teams, the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights. The Kings' metrics paint a better picture of how this team has looked thus far.
Los Angeles ranks fourth in the league in both expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) and expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) at 5-on-5.
Backing up this strong two-way team is goaltender Cam Talbot, who is off to a solid start in his first year with the Kings. Through six appearances in the crease, he is 3-2-1 with a .905 SV% and 2.72 GAA.
Talbot's success could continue in this matchup. In fact, he's 5-2-1 against the Leafs with a .910 SV% and a 2.71 GAA.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto's offense ranks just 25th in xGF/60 at 5-on-5 thus far. I think it will get going eventually, but it hasn't looked great thus far and the Maple Leafs have had some dud performances, including scoring two or fewer goals against Nashville, Chicago and Florida.
The blue line has also struggled as Toronto ranks 25th in xGA/60 at 5-on-5. The main reason for the Leafs' 5-2-1 record has been the play of goaltender Joseph Woll, who will start Tuesday's contest.
As a Woll truther since he came into the league, I'm glad the organization is finally giving him the proper run. I think he's going to be an excellent goaltender in this league, but a .961 SV% is unsustainable.
Regression will eventually settle in for Woll, who is saving more goals above expected per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 than any other netminder in the league.
Kings vs. Maple Leafs
Betting Pick & Prediction
Perhaps that regression will set in for Woll in this contest. The Kings have been the more efficient team at even-strength this year, which is a strong indication of their two-way ability and a key reason why they are 3-0 on the road.
Talbot should be able to hang in there with Woll, so as long as Los Angeles doesn't spend too much time in the penalty box, then the Kings are a very live underdog.
However, the Kings do rank in the top half of the league in penalty minutes per game.
Pick: Kings Moneyline (+130 at DraftKings) | Play to: +110
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