The Calgary Flames’ seven-game winning streak came to an end in Saturday’s 4-2 setback to the Minnesota Wild, and the Pacific Division leaders will be looking to start a new streak at home against the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight. Sportsbooks opened the Flames as -135 favorites with a total of 6.5.
Maple Leafs vs Flames Game Center
Standout Stats
- The spotlight has been on John Tavares after his rocky return to Long Island last week, but the Leafs superstar has been on fire of late. Tavares boosted his point total to eight (four goals, four assists) in his last six contests.
- Flames goalie Mike Smith saw his personal five-game winning streak come to an end against the Wild. The Canadian has been excellent against the Maple Leafs in his career, going 8-3-3 SU with a 2.33 goals-against average and .927 save percentage in 14 career meetings with Toronto.
- Sean Monahan and Elias Lindholm scored in a 55-second span of the third period to lead the Flames to a 3-1 triumph in the last meeting between the teams on October 29. Calgary has had no issues dispatching Eastern Conference opponents recently, winning five in a row against Eastern teams.
- The Maple Leafs have been on an OVER streak, as Toronto is 4-0 to the OVER in its last four games. The Leafs have gone above the closing total in five of their past seven road games against the Flames.
- Toronto has been a great bet in another regard: covering the puckline. The Maple Leafs have covered the puckline in four of their past five overall heading into tonight’s contest. Sportsbook was dealing the Leafs’ +1.5 number for a steep price of -220 as of this writing.
- Seeing sportsbooks open the total for this game at 6.5 is no surprise, as both teams have been lighting up scoreboards all season. The Maple Leafs rank third in the NHL in goals per game at 3.58, with the Flames right behind them in the fourth spot at 3.57 goals per game.
My best bet for Maple Leafs-Flames
OVER 6.5 goals
Don’t be scared off from the high total, as it’s obvious that sportsbooks set it that high for a reason. Both of these teams can flat-out score. Calgary has been the best OVER bet in the league when playing at home, as the Flames have cashed OVERs in 21 of their 28 home tilts in 2018-19. I expect that run to continue at Scotiabank Saddledome tonight.
The Maple Leafs are 4-1 SU and ATS in their last five games.away The total has gone OVER in the Maple Leafs’ last five games (avg. combined score: 7.8).away The Flames are 7-1 SU in their last eight games.home
