Kings Hope To End Losing Skid Vs Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs (13-6-1) have won eight of their last 10 games, a run that has lifted them to second place in the Atlantic Division. They’ll look to keep that going against the up-and-down Los Angeles Kings (8-7-3), who are trying to snap a four-game losing streak that has followed on the heels of seven straight wins.  

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

If you got the Leafs at the Sportsbook of +100, props to you. Since then, the odds have moved to the neighborhood of -140 for a Toronto win and you can now find the Kings at +134. The total opened at 5.5 goals and has held steady at that number.

Toronto News & Notes

It’s strange to not see Auston Matthews anywhere near the top 10 point leaders in the league, but the Leafs have gotten more production from the entire roster and a balanced approach is likely going to aid this team in the long run.

After losing 2-0 to the Penguins, the Leafs responded nicely with a 3-0 shutout of the Islanders last time out. Netminder Jack Campbell has the second-most wins in the NHL and has a goals-against average and save percentage that both rank in the top five.

The Leafs boast excellent special-teams numbers. While they may not be among the league leaders offensively, they have an efficient power play to complement a sturdy penalty kill.

Los Angeles News & Notes

The Kings have lost their momentum after going on a seven-game win streak, though it’s worth noting the four losses in their skid have come by a combined five goals.

The Kings may not be the flashiest team, but they are the eighth-stingiest club in the NHL in terms of goals against behind the solid netminding tandem of Jonathan Quick and Cal Petersen.

Drew Doughty and Quinton Byfield remain sidelined. Doughty has returned to practice, though, and will provide a significant boost to the team when he returns. The timeless Anze Kopitar leads the Kings with 17 points. 

How Toronto Will Win

The last time these teams met, Campbell did not enjoy a positive game against his former club. Look for him to have something to prove when they face each other again. Mitch Marner will look to build on a two-goal performance in his last game.  

How Los Angeles Will Win

Quick and Petersen both had evenings to forget in their last starts, but the goaltenders and the Kings’ blue-line corps has done a solid job of limiting their opponents. They’ll need a big night against Toronto’s stars. 

Computer Pick: Maple Leafs -160

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