The Canucks red hot top line looks to outduel the Leafs core four in an offensive frenzy
The Toronto Maple Leafs continue their Western Canadian road trip as they face the league-leading beasts, that are the Canucks. Vancouver has been dominant all season long but recently they’ve only managed to just squeeze by with their last four games, having been decided by a goal including a OT loss against a struggling Blue Jackets team. As for the Buds in blue, they look to build on a 4-3 win against a red hot Flames team that they desperately needed after a rough four game losing streak in which they struggled to maintain leads.
The first time these two teams met was back in November, where the Leafs came out on top with a 5-2 victory but since then Vancouver has only improved whereas the Leafs haven't been on top of their game, we know what their offense is capable of. With both teams coming off of close one-goal victories, this game should open the floodgates to an eventful, high scoring battle. If you are looking to get in on this action and enhance your viewing experience, here is our best bet for tonight’s matchup.
All betting lines are from Bet365 and are subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.
Pick: Over 6.5 goals (-125)
If one thing's for certain is that both of these teams can score and they can score plenty. The Canucks may carry the game to the over alone as they lead the league in goals per game with a 3.78 average per game and a 13.4 per cent shooting percentage. The Canucks' top four offensive weapons of J.T. Miller, Elias Pettersson, Quinn Hughes and Brock Boeser have combined for 219 points with four other Vancouver players having 20 each this season.
Similarly the Leafs are top six in scoring with a 3.49 goals per game average this season. Fresh off Auston Matthews’ fourth hat-trick of the season and, finding goal number 37, it's most likely he will lead the offense and possibly find the back of the net at least once with 18 goals and a point per game average in 22 career games against the Canucks.
Other Leaf forwards Mitch Marner and William Nylander combined for seven points in their impactful Flames win and is the same amount of points the trio accumulated in the team's previous four games. Prior to the losing streak, they had blown out the last-place Sharks 7-1 and showed that they have one of the best offenses in the league.
Pick: Elias Pettersson anytime goal (+130)
Since the start of the new year, no one has more goals than Pettersson, who has 11 goals and 16 points in their last nine games. His line along side JT Miller and Brock Boeser have been terrorizing opposing defenses with a combined 19 goals and 34 points in their nine game stretch and should continue their success at home as the Buds have leaked in three or more goals in their last three games. The powerful top line should have success with at least a goal, likely from Pettersson.