Capitals Begin Stanley Cup Quest as Massive Faves Over Maple Leafs

The most lopsided matchup of the playoffs gets started Thursday evening when the Maple Leafs invade the Verizon Center to take on the juggernaut Washington Capitals as +330 underdogs in the best-of-seven series. Sportsbooks of the Presidents’ Trophy for the second straight year, the Capitals finished out their season winning eight of their final 10 and will be expecting to roll the upstart Maple Leafs.

SHARK BITES
  • The Capitals are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games against the Maple Leafs
  • The total has gone UNDER in the Capitals' last 4 games at home.
  • The Capitals are 9-3 SU in their last 12 games in the playoffs at home.

Nothing is certain, of course, but the Caps opened Game 1 as a -200 moneyline favorite and will get a Leafs side that’s been diminished by injuries to guys such as Nikita Zaitsev, Josh Leivo and former Capital Eric Fehr. Given the trends and the skill of the two teams involved, it doesn’t take a computer algorithm to figure out that Washington should win tonight. The real question is – how much will they win by?

Myself, I’ll be on the Caps’ puckline as I think they win this game by at least two goals. If you’re not quite as confident, however, you could take Washington on the three-way moneyline. The Caps earned more regulation wins than any other team in the league and taking them to win within 60 minutes will get you a little more value.

So, why am I so confident? The Capitals were the best home team in the NHL, losing just nine games in D.C. all season while limiting opponents to 26 shots per game and a league-low 1.63 goals against per game.

Toronto is outmatched tonight and I expect this game to be over early.

Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick

The Washington Capitals were listed earlier today as -198 moneyline favorites at most sportsbooks tracked by Odds Shark (including Sportsbook), while odds makers set the Sportsbook betting total around 5.5.

Odds Shark prediction models pick the Capitals to win this game 3.3-2. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Washington Capitals Matchup

Team Betting Records & Power Rankings

The Washington Capitals currently sport a record of 55-19-8. The Toronto Maple Leafs are 40-27-15. Betting totals have seen the Capitals post a 36-31-15 OVER/UNDER record this season, while the Maple Leafs have gone 37-43-2 against the number. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Washington vs Toronto injuries news.

According to new NHL Power Rankings here at Odds Shark, it's the No. 3-ranked Washington Capitals and the No. 8-rated Toronto Maple Leafs in this matchup.

Statistical Matchup

Offensively, the game matches up the Washington Capitals No. 3-ranked offense (3.21 goals per game) against a Toronto Maple Leafs defense that ranks No. 22 at 2.95 goals per game allowed. The Capitals Sportsbook has clicked at a 23.08% rate while the Maple Leafs have a 83% rate on the penalty kill.

Recent Outings Betting Recap

Toronto lost its last outing, a 3-2 result against the Blue Jackets on April 09. Bettors who backed the Blue Jackets at +153 on the moneyline won on the day, and the total score (5) sent UNDER bettors to the payout window.

In their last action, Washington was a 2-0 loser at home against the Panthers. Bettors on Florida at +169 on the moneyline collected their winnings from that game, while the total score (2) sent UNDER bettors home happy as well.

Betting Trends
  • Toronto is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
  • Toronto is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games
  • Toronto is 17-8 ATS in its last 25 games on the road
  • Toronto is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
  • Washington is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games
  • The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games
  • Washington is 14-7 ATS in its last 21 games at home
  • Washington is 20-3 SU in its last 23 games at home

Next Betting Matchups

Toronto at Washington, Saturday, April 15th

The Capitals are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games against the Maple Leafshome The total has gone UNDER in the Capitals' last 4 games at home.home The Capitals are 9-3 SU in their last 12 games in the playoffs at home.home
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