Scotiabank Arena plays host to an intriguing tilt as the Toronto Maple Leafs welcome the visiting Winnipeg Jets. It’s the final time that the two clubs will go at it in the regular season. Sportsnet will air this East-West matchup, which gets underway at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 8.
Winnipeg Jets vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Odds
The Maple Leafs are 24-20 straight up (SU) and have disappointed moneyline bettors to the tune of -3.2 units so far. That winning percentage, the third-best in the Atlantic Division in this young season, hasn’t moved much from the 46-36 record the team produced during the 2018-19 season campaign. Through 44 regular season contests, 24 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while 18 have gone under and just two have pushed. Thus far, the team is 11-10 SU at home.
Toronto has connected on 24.0 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s good enough for sixth-best in the league. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 26th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 75.8 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, Toronto has been called for penalties just 3.3 times per game overall this season, 3.0 per game over its last five matchups total, and 3.8 per game over its last five at home. The team’s had to kill penalties for just 7.7 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, overall.
With a .915 save percentage and 28.7 saves per game, Frederik Andersen (21 wins, 13 losses, and four OT losses) has been the top goalkeeper for the Maple Leafs this year. If head coach Sheldon Keefe chooses to give him the evening off, however, the Leafs could turn to Michael Hutchinson (3-8-8 record, .892 save percentage, 3.68 goals against average).
The Leafs will continue to lean on the leadership from Auston Matthews and Mitchell Marner. Matthews (52 points) has tallied 29 goals and 23 assists and has recorded multiple points on 17 separate occasions this year. Marner has 11 goals and 30 assists to his name and has notched at least one point in 24 contests.
Winnipeg has netted moneyline bettors 4.7 units this season and is currently 23-20 straight up (SU). A total of 23 of its contests have gone under the total, while 19 have gone over and just one has pushed. Winnipeg’s 13-9 SU as the road team this season.
Winnipeg has converted on 20.3 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 31st overall and it’s successfully killed off 72.2 percent of all penalties.
Winnipeg’s players have been penalized only 3.0 times per game this season, and 3.8 per game over their last five on the road. The team has had to defend opponent power plays just 6.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Connor Hellebuyck (28.3 saves per game) has been the primary choice in goal for Winnipeg. Hellebuyck owns a 20-16-4 record, and has registered a .920 save percentage and 2.69 goals against average this year.
Mark Scheifele (20 goals, 28 assists) will pace the offensive counter for the visiting Jets.
Winnipeg Jets vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Free Picks
Prediction: SU Winner – Jets, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
Winnipeg has managed 26.2 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Toronto is averaging 33.8 shots per game over its last five home outings.
Power-play opportunities may have a key role in the outcome of this game. The Jets are 12-11 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 15-18 when they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 total minutes. The Maple Leafs are 9-7 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 19-15 when total penalty minutes are in the single digits.
Toronto is 1-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while Winnipeg is 2-1 in shootouts.
Toronto is ranked 12th in the NHL this season with 8.0 takeaways per game. That figure has trended upward, as the team has created 11.0 takeaways over its last 10 games and 10.0 takeaways over its last five.
Winnipeg is ranked 23rd this season with 6.9 takeaways per game. That figure has trended lower lately, however, as the team has forced 5.4 takeaways over its last 10 games and 5.2 takeaways over its last five.
Winnipeg could hold the upper hand if it’s a tight one late. The team’s an impressive 13-6 in games decided by one goal, while Toronto is 5-9 in such games.
