The Atlantic Division-leading Toronto Maple Leafs host the sputtering Nashville Predators on Wednesday.
The pregame narrative: Toronto has won nine of its past 11 games behind the spectacular goaltending of Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz. I expect the Leafs to win in regulation tonight. I am also backing their captain, Auston Matthews, to score.
Check out my Maple Leafs picks vs. Predators picks for Dec. 4.
Maple Leafs vs. Predators picks
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Best Bet: Maple Leafs to win in regulation (+105)
Leafs fans haven’t enjoyed goaltending like this in a long, long time.
Woll and Stolarz have led Toronto to the second-best goals-against average (2.54), and the third-best team save percentage (.919).
Winning the Jennings Trophy is very much in play and down-ballot Vezina votes for either netminder isn’t out of the question.
Stolarz got the call on Monday vs. Chicago. As of Wednesday morning, the Leafs hadn’t announced who will start vs. Nashville, but it wouldn’t surprise anyone if it’s Woll.
Check out Woll’s stellar November numbers:
- 5-1 record (four regulation wins)
- 1.99 GAA (fifth among goalies with 5+ starts)
- .929 SV% (fourth among goalies with 5+ starts)
Toronto’s offence (nine goals in the last two games) has also come alive with Matthews back in the fold.
Nashville, meanwhile, is off to a brutal start after going all-in over the offseason.
The Predators are 7-12-6 and have lost four straight (though three came in overtime). They rank dead last in goals per game (2.32). Juuse Saros, who is expected to start Wednesday, has given up 16 goals in his past four starts.
Key stat: The Maple Leafs have won four of their past five games in regulation.
Quick pick
Matthews to score (-105): Matthews’ season has been a strange one.
He started goalless in three straight, then scored in three straight, then slumped again, before being placed on the IR and flying to Germany to see a specialist for an undisclosed injury.
But if we’re taking the Leafs’ comments at face value, Matthews’ recent IR stint is nothing to be worried about.
Matthews backed that up Monday with a goal against the Blackhawks.
He also had a pair of assists Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning in his return. He appears to be skating at 100%.
We’re talking about getting a guy who scored 69 goals a year ago at nearly even money to score against one of the worst teams in the NHL. Sign me up.
NHL picks made at 8:48 a.m. ET on 12/04/24.
Avery joined NorthStar Gaming as an intern in 2022 before stepping into a full-time role soon after. He loves betting on and analyzing golf — mainly because it’s easier than actually playing — but is a fan of all sports, from the NFL to the UFC.