The Nashville Predators will host the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight and attempt to win their fifth game in a row. The Preds have been nearly unstoppable over the last month, posting a 14-1 SU record in their last 15 games and winning six of their last seven at Bridgestone Arena. Nashville opened as a -165 favorite to continue its winning ways tonight.
Nashville has been the class of the Western Conference this season, overtaking Vegas for the top spot, and is first overall in the NHL standings. One of the main reasons for the Preds’ success has been their defensive efforts as they have held teams to 2.12 goals per game since the all-star break (first in the NHL) while ranking third in goals per game in that same span.
Goaltender Pekka Rinne, aiming to win his first Vezina Trophy, has been impeccable this season with 40 wins while ranking second in save percentage and third in goals-against average. What may be most impressive is the Predators’ 10-5 puckline record in their last 15 games as they were favored in 14 of those contests.
As for the Leafs, they’re expected to welcome back superstar forward Auston Matthews in the lineup tonight and he could provide an added scoring boost for a squad that is already ranked third in the NHL in goals per game since the all-star break. Toronto is coming off a gut punch of a loss to Tampa on Tuesday and a win in Nashville could bode well for the Leafs’ chances of jumping up in the Eastern Conference standings. If bettors are planning to invest in Toronto tonight, they should be ecstatic to know that the Leafs have won three straight games vs the Predators, outscoring them 12-5.
The total opened at 6 and trends are pointing to an UNDER. The UNDER has hit in four of Nashville’s last five games at home with their defensive efforts continuing to shine. The UNDER has also hit in four of the last five games in this matchup, with the average combined score in those games at 5 goals.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Nashville Predators Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Nashville Predators currently sport a record of 48-14-10. The Toronto Maple Leafs are 43-23-7. Betting totals have seen the Predators post a 35-36-1 OVER/UNDER record this season, while the Maple Leafs have gone 36-32-5 against the number. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Nashville vs Toronto injuries news.
It's an NHL hockey betting matchup between the No. 10-rated Predators and the No. 1-ranked Maple Leafs, according to the latest NHL power poll here at OddsShark.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Nashville's No. 7-ranked offense, averaging 3.28 goals per game, against a Maple Leafs defense that ranks No. 12 at 2.85 goals allowed. The Predators power play is averaging 20.92% while the Maple Leafs defense kills off 82.35% of their penalties.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
In their last action, Toronto was a 4-3 loser on the road against the Lightning. Bettors on Tampa Bay at -166 on the moneyline collected their winnings from that game, while the total score (7) sent OVER bettors home happy as well.
Nashville won its last outing, a 4-0 result against the Sabres on March 19. Bettors who backed the Predators at -230 on the moneyline won on the day, and the total score (4) sent UNDER bettors to the payout window.
Next Betting Matchups
Toronto home to Detroit, Saturday, March 24
Nashville at Minnesota, Saturday, March 24