Two of the worst defensive units in the NHL square off in Toronto on Tuesday night as the Maple Leafs host the Los Angeles Kings. The Maple Leafs are somehow keeping their heads above water despite having allowed the second-most goals in the Eastern Conference, while the Kings are mired near the bottom of the Western Conference standings.
- Los Angeles Kings vs Toronto Maple Leafs (Matchup Report)
- Date/Time: November 5, 7:30 p.m. ET
- TV Coverage: TSN4, FS-W
- Sportsbook Odds: Los Angeles +214, Toronto -240 | O/U 6.5 (Line History)
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
Toronto is an overwhelming favorite for Tuesday’s showdown with the Kings, staring at its best odds of victory in the past nine games. The Maple Leafs are 3-0 SU as faves of -200 or better this season. On Tuesday morning, it was announced that captain John Tavares would return to the lineup after missing multiple weeks with a wrist injury.
Los Angeles News & Notes
Los Angeles has a major goaltending crisis at the moment, with both young star Jack Campbell and veteran stalwart Jonathan Quick struggling mightily. The Kings’ 4-3 OT win over Chicago on Saturday halted a four-game streak in which they had allowed exactly five goals in each, and Los Angeles enters the new week ranked dead last in the NHL in goals-against average (4.07).
So what exactly is going right in L.A.? The Kings are averaging an NHL-high 37.1 shots on goal per game – and while that’s bound to level out, so too is their puck luck. Of the eight other teams averaging at least 33.5 shots per game, all of them are scoring at least 3.13 goals per contest (L.A. is at 2.71).
Toronto News & Notes
The Maple Leafs haven’t missed a beat as an OVER play in the absence of Tavares, going 5-2 O/U in the seven games he has missed with a wrist injury (despite facing a total of 6.5 in all seven). But Toronto has gone just 3-2-2 in those games, thanks in no small part to a goaltending unit that ranks 22nd in both goals-against and save percentage.
Look for the Maple Leafs to ramp up the urgency as they kick off a three-game homestand Tuesday night; after all, they won’t be enjoying the comforts of home all that much over the next six weeks. Toronto will play just six of its next 19 games at Air Canada Centre, a stretch that includes separate road trips to the U.S. West Coast and Alberta/B.C. north of the border.
Betting Pick: OVER 6.5
Neither team appears capable of slowing the other one down – so sit back, relax and enjoy the goal barrage.
- Los Angeles has lost 4 of its last 5 games in Toronto.
- Toronto is 16-4 SU in its last 20 games vs Pacific Division opponents.
- The OVER is 8-3 in Toronto’s last 11 games.
