Penguins vs. Maple Leafs Picks & Odds: Toronto Favored In Eastern Conference Battle

Two teams looking to turn things around meet up in Toronto as the Maple Leafs (7-4-3) play host to the Pittsburgh Penguins (5-6-2). The Pens have lost seven of their last eight games, while Toronto, who is favored in this one, has won just half of their 14 games this season. See below for more insight, analysis and a Penguins vs. Maple Leafs prediction.

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Penguins vs Maple Leafs Sportsbook Odds Analysis

The Red Sox opened as the favorite at -110 the moneyline with the Rays getting +100 on the road. The total was set at 9.5 runs with the OVER going 16-4 in the last 20 meetings between the clubs at Fenway Park. Boston is 5-1 in its last six home contests, suggesting the hosts may be able to turn things around in our Rays vs Red Sox prediction.

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Sid The Kid Still Getting It Done

The Penguins find themselves in unfamiliar territory, sitting seventh, out of eight teams, in the Metropolitan Division. They are coming off a 4-1 win over Washington on Wednesday though, which snapped an ugly seven-game losing streak. Captain Sidney Crosby picked up an assist in the victory and now leads the team with 15 points. His linemate Jake Guentzel has 12 points in just 9 games this season and is on a six-game point streak.

Keeping the puck out of the net has been the biggest issue as of late. Before Wednesday’s win, Pens goaltending had allowed at least three goals in eight straight games. Tristan Jarry hasn’t won in four starts and has a goals against average of 3.38.

The Pens are in the middle of a stretch that sees them play 12 of 15 games on the road – a place they have struggled so far this season (2-5-1).

Where Has The Offense Gone?

Defensemen Timothy Liljegren scored two goals Tuesday in Toronto’s 4-3 loss to Vegas. That was just their second and third goals from blueliners this season. Scoring depth has been an issue for the Leafs, who finished with the second most goals last year. This season they sit 23 rd in the league in goals per game. Mitch Marner leads the team with 16 points, including 11 during a current seven-game point streak.

The Leafs are dealing with goaltending injury problems. Matt Murray hasn’t played since Sportsbook night due to a groin injury, but is back practicing with the team, while Ilya Samsonov is week-to-week with a knee injury. Erik Kallgren has been carrying the load recently, but has just one win in five starts this season.

Penguins vs Maple Leafs Player Props

Penguins Player Prop: Sidney Crosby Anytime Goal Scorer (+190)

Five other players have better odds than Crosby to score a goal in this game. Anytime you can get this type of number for a guy as skilled as Sid, jump on it. It doesn’t hurt that the Penguins captain has 28 goals in 47 career games vs. the Leafs.

Maple Leafs Player Prop: Auston Matthews To Score 2+ Goals (+390)

He is one of the best goal scorers in the league. Sure he is off to a slower start this season, but Matthews scores in bunches. He started the season with just one goal in his first seven games, but has scored five in his past seven. Pittsburgh is struggling defensively, so this could be #34’s chance to break out.

Penguins vs Maple Leafs Pick & Insights

Penguins: Keys To Victory

Special Teams. The Penguins are in the bottom third of the league in both power play and penalty kill percentage. They certainly have the talent to convert with the man advantage and will need to shut down Toronto’s power play, which runs at 25 percent. If they win the special teams battle, Pittsburgh will have a good chance to come away with a second straight victory.

Maple Leafs: Keys To Victory

Depth scoring. Matthews, Marner, John Tavares and William Nylander are producing for the Leafs with a combined 48 points. After that though, the well runs dry. Michael Bunting and David Kampf are the next best point-producing forwards with just six points each. If they can get more offense from their bottom six forwards, taking the home team when making your Penguins vs. Maple Leafs pick, will likely turn you a profit.

NHL Computer Pick: Maple Leafs -169 ML

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