Maple Leafs vs. Hurricanes Odds
| Maple Leafs Odds | +115 |
| Hurricanes Odds | -139 |
| Over/Under | 6 (-118/-104) |
| Time | 7 p.m. ET |
| TV | CBC |
| Odds via BetRivers. Get up-to-the-minute NHL Odds here. | |
In a highly-anticipated Eastern Conference tilt, the Metropolitan Division's Carolina Hurricanes host the Atlantic Division's Toronto Maple Leafs.
These clubs squared off just last week when Toronto grabbed a 5-2 win at Scotiabank Arena.
Here's a look at the odds, as well as my Maple Leafs vs. Hurricanes preview and betting pick.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs continue their road trip on Saturday evening. Playing away from Scotiabank Arena hasn't been kind to the Leafs this season as Toronto is 18-12-4 on the road and 25-7-5 at home.
To make matters worse, the home team has won four of the past five contests between these teams, a trend likely to continue this time around. Fading Toronto in this spot is certainly no indictment on the Leafs, who are one of the better teams in the league and could actually make it out of the first round this postseason.
However, Toronto still lags behind Carolina in every key category. At 5-on-5, Toronto ranks five spots behind Carolina in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) and 10 spots behind in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60).
The Leafs are also at a disadvantage in net while goaltender Ilya Samsonov awaits the birth of his child and is away from the team. In his absence, Matt Murray has taken the reigns in the crease.
If he qualified, Murray would rank in the bottom-half of starting goaltenders in goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (GSAx/60) at 5-on-5.
Carolina Hurricanes
After unsuccessfully backing Carolina to beat the New York Rangers on Thursday, we are giving it another shot. Fool me once … right?
Here's the thing: Anyone who watched Thursday's game saw a contest the Canes should have won. For those who didn't watch or don't believe me, MoneyPuck, after 1,000 simulations, suggests Carolina wins that game 60.6% of the time.
While that is neither here nor there, the Canes are the better team in this contest. At 5-on-5 this season, Carolina ranks second in the league in xGF/60 and first in xGA/60.
Goaltender Frederik Andersen backs up this dominant squad and is slated to start this contest. The Canes have won five of Andersen's past seven outings, a product of both his solid performances and the brilliant play of the defense in front of him.
Maple Leafs vs. Hurricanes Pick
Boasting the better offense and defense, the Canes should take care of business on home ice against the Leafs. While Murray and Andersen are a relative wash this season, the team in front of Andersen makes his job a bit easier than Murray's.
These are two heavyweights that should put on a great show on Saturday evening. PNC Arena is a tough barn to play in, so give me the superior Canes at a relatively cheap price.
Pick: Hurricanes Moneyline | Play to -150 |
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