Two Original Six franchises collide Thursday night as the Toronto Maple Leafs host the New York Rangers at Scotiabank Arena. Toronto continues to be one of the NHL’s most explosive offensive teams, while the Rangers remain a defensive powerhouse with elite goaltending anchoring their lineup. With both teams sitting comfortably in playoff position but battling for home-ice advantage, this matchup should feature playoff-level intensity. Find more betting picks and predictions on our NHL page.
Our Maple Leafs vs Rangers Pick
Pick:
Confidence: ★★★★☆
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Toronto Maple Leafs vs New York Rangers
- Date & Time: Thursday, March 5, 2026, 7:00 PM ET
- Venue: Scotiabank Arena
- Broadcast: ESPN+, TSN
Toronto Maple Leafs Injury Report
The Maple Leafs enter the matchup relatively healthy as they push toward the postseason.
- Auston Matthews (C): Expected to play, but reports of emerging injury.
- John Tavares (C): Available after missing time earlier this season.
- Chris Tanev(C): Had surgery on March 4 and is out for the season.
New York Rangers Injury Report
The Rangers continue to rely on their deep blue line and elite goaltending.
- Adam Fox (D): Expected to log heavy minutes.
- JT Miller (D): Placed on IR on Tuesday and will miss tonights game.
- Filip Chytil (C): Will probably miss the rest of the season.
- Igor Shesterkin (G): Likely starter.
Key Storylines
Elite Scoring Talent
Toronto’s offensive firepower continues to be among the league’s best, creating matchup problems for nearly every opponent.
Goaltending Edge
The Rangers’ ability to rely on elite goaltending could be the difference if this game turns into a defensive battle.
Model Projection
Score Projection:
Win Probability:
Final Thoughts
