I’m betting on two players to score a point when the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Utah Hockey Club.
The pregame narrative: Toronto plays a not-so-common Sunday game after a rare Saturday night off. Utah comes to town after thrashing the lowly Pittsburgh Penguins. I’m looking for two players — Bobby McMann and Nick Schmaltz — to find the score sheet.
Check out our Maple Leafs props vs. Utah for the game on Nov. 24.
Maple Leafs props vs. Utah
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Best Bet: McMann to score 1+ points (-109)
It’s been a very strange scoring season for McMann.
The Toronto winger started the season in fine fashion, registering three goals and four points across the first five games.
After that, radio silence. Here’s what McMann did in the ensuing 11 games:
- Zero points
- Minus-four rating
- 26 shots
The one positive for McMann during this stretch, however, is that the underlying numbers remained encouraging:
- 2.2 expected goals (7th on the Leafs)
- 41 shot attempts (T-5th)
- Nine high-danger chances (T-6th)
The forward is showing signs that he’s breaking out of the slump. He has three points — all goals — in his last three games.
His current slot in Toronto’s lineup is the most encouraging part of this pick. McMann plays on the team’s top line alongside John Tavares and Mitch Marner.
Exposure to two of the Maple Leafs’ most dynamic players, especially Marner, should keep McMann in the offensive zone and put him in positions to find the score sheet.
Key stat: McMann is second on the Maple Leafs in expected goals (1.33) across the last three games, according to Natural Stat Trick.
Quick pick
Schmaltz to score 1+ points (-107): On the topic of strange scoring seasons, none might be more bizarre than Schmaltz’s.
The Hockey Club winger has 15 points this season — all assists. Only New York Rangers defenceman Adam Fox (17 points) has more points without a goal.
His point output places him third on the Hockey Club, trailing only Dylan Guenther (17) and Clayton Keller (19).
Schmaltz’s deployment for Utah makes him an intriguing wager. The forward plays on the team’s first line and top power play, skating alongside a talented playmaker in Keller on both.
Schmaltz’s recent performances are worth highlighting. He notched two points in last night’s win over Pittsburgh and has three points in his last three outings.
Picks made at 10:13 a.m. ET on 11/24/24.
Stevie’s an avid NFL, NHL, and tennis bettor who has no problem talking himself into the underdog. His previous stops include Yahoo! Sports Canada and Toronto Metropolitan University, where he received a degree in Sport Media.