The Toronto Maple Leafs are 17-6-4 on the road this season, including a 4-0 record against the Jets in Winnipeg. The Maple Leafs will try to extend their current road winning streak against the Jets to eight games Friday night in Winnipeg.
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The Maple Leafs opened as -175 favorites before settling in at -160 the morning of the game. Winnipeg is going off at +140 to pull off the upset at home while the total has moved down from 6.5 goals to 6 goals. The betting lines on this game could change drastically through the day depending on which players rest and play for both teams.
Toronto News & Notes
Frederik Andersen returned to the crease after nearly two months out of action on Wednesday night against the Ottawa Senators. Andersen allowed four goals on 28 shots as the Maple Leafs lost 4-3 in overtime. Despite the loss, Toronto extended its point streak to nine straight games as the Maple Leafs are 7-0-2 since losing in regulation back on April 20.
Jack Campbell has become the Maple Leafs’ clear starting goaltender in Andersen’s absence, compiling a 17-2-2 record with a 2.11 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage. It will be interesting to see how long his leash is in the playoffs, however, should Toronto run into any trouble. Andersen sports a 13-8-3 record with a 2.96 GAA and a .895 save percentage this season.
Winnipeg News & Notes
Blake Wheeler scored two goals and two assists and Mark Scheifele had a goal and three assists in Winnipeg’s 5-0 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night. The win provided a much-needed confidence boost for the Jets, who were 1-9 over their previous 10 games. Winnipeg was 27-14-3 before its current 2-9 skid.
Andrew Copp (15 goals, 24 assists) will sit out Friday night’s game with an undisclosed injury but is expected to return for Game 1 of Winnipeg’s playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers. Copp likely won’t be the only starter who gets the night off in this one as both teams are already locked into their spots in the North Division and don’t really have anything to play for.
Betting Pick: Winnipeg +140
Mathematically, this game is meaningless to both teams. From a confidence perspective, however, the Jets should be fighting a lot harder to end the season on a high note, making them an intriguing pick at these odds.
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