Should You Bet the Toronto Maple Leafs to Make a Run At East Top Seed?

The NHL schedule cranks up on Tuesday night with 10 games on the schedule, providing plenty of hockey betting opportunities. Now, the good news is that Toronto plays tonight.

A larger slate gives us some leeway to explore a bit. Let’s begin.

What about the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night?

Tonight’s takes on an interesting significance for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Can they realistically catch the Florida Panthers for the division and conference lead? Common sense seems to dictate a resounding “no” and even some betting numbers hint at much the same.

Their game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night offers a rare glimpse at a puckline option we don’t often see.

There is a puckline option for -2.5 goals at nearly even money. Consider that Toronto has an implied probability of nearly 80% to win tonight. That is a big number and projections suggest that Toronto could easily score 4-5 goals.

In what will become more and more fluid of a story, Auston Matthews (undisclosed injury) practiced in a red non-contact jersey during the optional morning skate. Does that mean he will play tonight? This will be something to keep an eye on. Now, this gives us the ability to hedge a bit.

The Maple Leafs are around a 1.2-1.25 favourite against the Flyers. Most assumed that was the biggest spread on the moneyline and it is not.

That belongs to the Tampa Bay Lightning (who range from 1.18 to 1.2) only because they play Detroit. Now, the Lightning traditionally has a ton of success against a Detroit team that cannot get out of its own way on the road.

When it comes to the road (even at home lately), Philadelphia is much the same. They are allowing more than 35 shots per 60, have lost five straight games, and eight of their previous 10.

The crazy part with these two teams is the road team has won four of the past five meetings. Toronto has a four in five chance of winning tonight – with or without Matthews in the lineup.

The other way to hedge this game a bit is to see if the Over stays at 7. It started at 6.5 and moved quickly. If this does not budge, then look at some of the points and shot props for Toronto players – particularly John Tavares and Mitch Marner.

After that, see if you can sneak that puckline in any way. This is worth a tiny wager for Ontario sports bettors on Tuesday night.

Vancouver and Ottawa Battle Of The Unrested

When betting on sports, it is fun to be fascinated with numbers.

The Vancouver Canucks and Ottawa Senators face off tonight featuring a battle of unrested teams with far different agendas.

Just imagine this for a second. Vancouver is gaining ground on a possible playoff berth.

The win over Dallas, combined with the Vegas home stunner to New Jersey upped their chances to 19.3%. That is a one in five shot. Furthermore, they get another home game tonight versus an Ottawa Senators team that just lost to Seattle last night.

Vancouver’s six straight wins have them on the cusp of something big. This is still an uphill battle at best. With a win, the Canucks would be two points away from third-place Los Angeles with five games to go. Vancouver’s schedule does get tougher and includes a game against the Kings, too.

Simply, the rush of the playoff chase should have Vancouver in a good frame of mind. The wildcard is a young team like Ottawa. Are they more mentally than physically tired? That is unknown, honestly. Also, it appears that Anton Forsberg will get the night off after playing in Seattle last night. That boosts the chances Vancouver and Ottawa hit the over which is set at 6.5.

Finally, the idea is to look toward J.T. Miller and Vasily Podkolzin for point and goal props. Both have been hot of late and Podkolzin is under the radar and showing good plus-money value. His ice time has crept up to the level of a top-six forward. Again, if Forsberg does somehow start, adjust your bets off the Over.

The Vancouver puckline at 1.5 goals is another strong look depending on that goalie status. Let’s take a fast look at the rest.

What About Winnipeg, Calgary, and Montreal?

Now, NHL betting will drive one crazy but there is something to be said about the Winnipeg Jets, Calgary Flames, and Montreal Canadiens tonight.

Finding value in any of the three features much uncertainty. Montreal has gone a bit flat offensively, no one knows how Nashville will play against Calgary, and Winnipeg is nearly eliminated from the playoffs.

The problem with the Jets and the frustration they cause bettors is this. It seems like Winnipeg saves a gem of performance when everyone is against them.

They travel to Madison Square Garden to face the New York Rangers tonight. The Rangers are in a race with the Carolina Hurricanes for first place in the Metropolitan Division.

The Under has trended heavily there and even at 6 may be worth a look considering six of the past nine have gone that way for New York.

Naturally, Calgary and Montreal are teams to try and watch from a distance tonight. Again, the Flames have less and less to play for at this point other than individual glory.

Johnny Gaudreau and the top line all have reasonable shot and point props to look at but little else versus Nashville.

As for Montreal, the Minnesota puckline on the road might even be worth a look but with Carey Price now playing again, this becomes more of a research and development mission.