The Detroit Red Wings play host to the Toronto Maple Leafs to open the 2015/16 NHL season on Friday but instead of the players, it’s the man on the bench for the road squad that is making all the headlines. Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock, who departed Detroit in the offseason to sign a 8-year, $50 million with Toronto, has since become the highest-paid bench boss in the league.
- The Under is 5-0 in the last five meetings between the two clubs.
- Howard will start Friday, but Mrazek will start Saturday against Carolina.
- Toronto will have the same lineup as Thursday against the Canadiens.
Babcock will have his work cut out for him in the Big Smoke as the Leafs are coming off a forgettable season that saw the club finish second-last in the Eastern Conference at 30-44-8 SU. But unlike seasons past, the Buds decided to commit to a full rebuild in the offseason and have begun the long approach to building a contender from the ground up.
The ever-steady Detroit Red Wings extended their consecutive playoff streak to 22 years last season, extending the North American record in the process. Starting netminder Jimmy Howard stumbled down the home stretch last year and nearly lost his job to backup Petr Mrazek, but is expected to be between the pipes Friday evening. Jonathan Bernier is slated to counter for the Leafs.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
If you're going with the Detroit Red Wings in this one, they were listed as moneyline favorites of -215 on most NHL hockey betting menus (such as Sportsbook) early today for Friday's contest. The over-under total was at 5 earlier at Sportsbook.
Odds Shark prediction models pick the Red Wings to win this game 2.5-1.2. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Detroit Red Wings Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Detroit Red Wings sport a record of -- heading into this matchup, while the Toronto Maple Leafs sit at 0-1-0 on the season. The OVER/UNDER records are - for the Red Wings and 0-1 for the Maple Leafs. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Detroit vs Toronto injuries news.
The Detroit Red Wings sit at No. 15 in the current NHL power poll here at Odds Shark, while the Toronto Maple Leafs sit at a No. 29 on the same chart.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The Maple Leafs were a 3-1 loser in their most recent outing at home against the Canadiens. That made Sportsbooks of bettors who got Montreal at -165 on the moneyline, while the total score (4) was good news for OVER bettors.
Detroit lost its last outing, a 2-0 result against the Lightning on April 29. Bettors who backed the Lightning at -186 on the moneyline won on the day, and the total score (2) sent UNDER bettors to the payout window.
- Toronto is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games
- Toronto is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 6 games on the road
- Detroit is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
- Detroit is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games at home
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Detroit's last 5 games when playing Toronto
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit's last 6 games when playing at home against Toronto
Next Betting Matchups
Toronto home to Ottawa, Saturday, October 10th
Detroit at Carolina, Saturday, October 10th
