The Chicago Blackhawks, spearheaded by Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, are ready to take the ice against Auston Matthews, Mitchell Marner, and the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena in an Original Six showdown. The opening face-off takes place at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 18, and you can view the game live on CBC Sports.
Chicago Blackhawks at Toronto Maple Leafs Odds
Playing the role of favorites will be the Maple Leafs (-210), whereas the Blackhawks are offering moneyline odds of +175, and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 7 goals (-125 to bet the over, +105 for the under).
Losing 6.6 units for moneyline bettors, Toronto is 25-23 straight up (SU) overall thus far. That early-season winning percentage is fairly close to the 46-36 record the team managed during the 2018-19 season campaign. Through 48 regular season outings, 27 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while 19 have gone under and just two have pushed. The team is 12-12 SU at home this year.
The Maple Leafs have connected on 23.7 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that places them in the top-5 among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 25th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 76.1 percent of all penalties.
Averaging 28.1 saves per game with a .912 save percentage, Frederik Andersen (22-16-6) has been the top option in goal for the Leafs this year. If Toronto chooses to give him a rest, however, it could roll with Michael Hutchinson (3-9-9 record, .885 save percentage, 3.83 goals against average).
On the other side of the rink, Chicago is 22-26 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 0.8 units this year. A total of 25 of its outings have gone under the total, while 22 have gone over and just one has pushed. The Blackhawks are 11-12 SU as a road team this season.
The Blackhawks have converted on just 15.5 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that places them in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked eighth overall and it’s successfully killed off 83.0 percent of all opponent power plays.
Robin Lehner (32.0 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Chicago. Lehner owns a 14-13-5 record, and has registered a .923 save percentage and 2.85 goals against average this year.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Free Picks
Free NHL Pick: SU Winner – Maple Leafs, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
Two of the Maple Leafs’ last ten games have been decided by a shootout. The team is 0-2 in those games and 1-4 overall in shootouts this season.
The Maple Leafs are 6-4 in games where they outshoot their opponent by 10 or more. They’ve averaged the league’s fifth-most shots on goal (33.7) while the Blackhawks have attempted the 20th-most (only 33.7).
Seven of Chicago’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 5-2 in those games.
Chicago skaters have accounted for the league’s seventh-most hits per game (24.0), but the team’s averaged just 13.6 hits over their last five away games.
