Avalanche Keeping Pace
The defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche registered a season-high eight goals to open their four-game road trip and aim to stay on target when they visit the talented Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday.
The Avalanche scored four times in the first period and rolled over the Montreal Canadiens 8-4 on Monday. The victory moved Colorado within four points of the Minnesota Wild for second place in the Central Division with two games in hand.
The Avalanche still have some work to do on defense after coughing up 11 goals in their past three contests, and Toronto presents a big challenge in what could be a Stanley Cup finals preview.
The Maple Leafs boast four players with at least 65 points and a power play ranked third in the NHL through Monday.
Mitch Marner leads the way for Toronto, which scored six goals in the first meeting at Colorado this season, with 85 points – 20 in the past 10 contests after a 4-3 loss to Buffalo on Monday that snapped a four-game win streak at home.
Colorado Finding the Net
The Avalanche still sit in the middle of the league in scoring but have registered 28 goals while going 5-1-0 in their last six road games, scoring at least four goals eight times during a current 10-3-2 run overall.
Nathan MacKinnon has 15 goals in his last 14 games and tops Colorado with 81 points, while Mikko Rantanen boasts a team-high 43 tallies and 78 points. Reigning Norris Trophy winner Cale Makar recorded 10 of his 55 points in six games since returning from injury for the Avalanche, while forward Artturi Lehkonen (20 goals) suffered a broken finger after scoring twice Monday.
Artturi Lehkonen will miss 4-6 weeks with a broken finger, per Jared Bednar on @AltitudeSR. pic.twitter.com/cOda010tjM
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 14, 2023
The under is still 37-24-4 in Colorado games this season, according to NHL lines, but the over is 7-1-0 in the past eight against Atlantic Division opponents.
Leafs Need Rebound
Toronto was rolling along while enjoying six wins in eight games and four in a row at home with a 2-1 lead early in the third period on Monday, but surrendered three goals within 8 minutes and dropped a 4-3 decision against the visiting Buffalo Sabres.
The Maple Leafs failed to build their four-point lead on the Tampa Bay Lightning for second place in the Atlantic Division after losing in regulation for just the second time this season in 34 games with a lead going into the third period.
William Nylander had a goal on Monday. He owns a five-game point streak, while reigning Hart Trophy winner Auston Matthews has scored in three straight contests for Toronto, which dropped to 24-7-4 at home.
The Maple Leafs have not been a great bet this season, going 28-38 against the spread (ATS) in the Last Vegas odds.
Avalanche vs Maple Leafs Game Injuries
Avalanche vs Maple Leafs Head-to-Head
Michael Bunting led the way with two goals as Toronto handled Colorado in Denver on New Year’s Eve, improving to 4-1-1 in the last six games versus the Avalanche.
The teams played three times in the last two seasons, scoring 28 goals in total. If you are betting online, the over is 6-1-0 in the past seven meetings and 12-3-1 in the last 16 matchups.
Alexandar Georgiev gave up five goals in the loss to the Maple Leafs, but the former New York Ranger has had a decent season with 29 victories and a .917 save percentage. Georgiev could make his seventh straight start and face fellow Russian Ilya Samonsov, who was rested Monday.
Samsonov did not play in the first matchup against Colorado but is 17-2-1 at home and 10-4-1 versus Western Conference opponents.
The Avalanche is +700 to win a second straight Cup, while Toronto is +900.
Avalanche vs Maple Leafs Game Information
- Game: Avalanche (37-22-6) vs Maple Leafs (40-18-8)
- Day/Time: Wednesday, March 15, 7:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ont.
- Avalanche vs Maple Leafs Live stream: NHL.TV
Avalanche vs Maple Leafs Betting Lines
The odds in this chart are based on the time of publication. They are subject to change.
Avalanche vs Maple Leafs Picks & Prediction
There will be plenty of offensive firepower on the ice, but the two teams sit in the top third of the NHL in goals-against.
Both coaches may be stressing defense after some wide-open affairs of late. The Maple Leafs have given up 15 goals in their last four games but are surrendering 2.70 per contest overall (seventh in the league).
The under might not be such a bad bet in this one if you are online gambling. Colorado is getting healthier and could be ready to make a run for the top of the Division. We think the Avalanche can post their 20th win on the road.
The Avalanche are listed at +125 in our Las Vegas NHL odds. This means that if you wager $100 on Colorado, you have a chance to win $125. The Maple Leafs are -145, offering a chance to win $69 on a $100 wager.
The implied probability attached to the betting lines gives the Avalanche a 44.44% chance to win, with Toronto at 59.18%.
Avalanche vs Maple Leafs Trends
Avalanche vs Maple Leafs Edge
Avalanche vs Maple Leafs Results
Avalanche vs Maple Leafs Game Summary
