Two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference square off on Thursday as the Carolina Hurricanes host the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The pregame narrative: John Tavares has had success against Carolina in ample experience. I’m backing him to score a point while fading Seth Jarvis and Morgan Rielly in points and shots props, respectively.
Check out my Maple Leafs props vs. Hurricanes for Jan. 9.
Maple Leafs props vs. Hurricanes
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Best bet: Tavares to score 1+ points (-130)
This isn’t the ideal matchup for offensive output on either side.
| Team | Goals allowed/game | Penalty kill % |
| Maple Leafs | 2.74 (9th) | 83.2% (7th) |
| Hurricanes | 2.80 (11th) | 84.9% (1st) |
The last time these teams met, back in March, Carolina earned a 2-1 victory in insipid fashion.
Tavares has been on quite the run in his contract year with Toronto. He’s on a point-per-game pace, with 17 points in his last 12 games.
The 34-year-old plays on a line with two sharpshooters, William Nylander and Bobby McMann, who’ve combined for 35 goals this season.
Tavares is also featured on the No. 1 power play, which has cashed in on more than 20.0% of its chances.
Key stat: In 48 career games versus Carolina, Tavares has 29 goals and 27 assists.
Quick picks
Rielly under 1.5 shots (-117): Rielly has hit a bit of a lull offensively for the Buds.
- Over his past 16 games, Rielly has just 21 shots and a 4.8% shooting percentage.
- Compare that to his first 16 games of the season, when Rielly put up 29 shots with a 13.8% shooting percentage.
Rielly has cashed this bet in eight of the last 11 games, with just 12 shots total over that stretch.
This is a great spot for that trend to continue. Carolina allows the second-fewest shots in the NHL (25.2/game).
Jarvis under 0.5 points (+132): Jarvis is currently on a hot streak, but I believe that’ll come to an end tonight.
The fourth-year winger has never fared well against Toronto in his young career — posting just two points in seven games with a -4 rating.
The Leafs come into Raleigh on a five-game heater in which they’ve allowed more than two goals just once (a 6-4 win against Boston on Jan. 4).
Jarvis, known for his offence, isn’t the strongest defensive player. Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour might be more inclined to give his third or fourth-line guys more ice time to shut down the Leafs’ uber-talented forwards.
Picks made at 11:30 a.m. ET on 01/09/2025.
