Maple Leafs vs Canucks Betting Game Preview Analysis

There’s no stopping Auston Matthews and his mustache this season. By virtue of his electrifying goal-scoring, the Toronto Maple Leafs have found their way to success and a winning season thus far. Saturday night, they try to continue those winning ways on the game Maple Leafs vs Canucks. Odds have yet to be released, but at home, the Leafs figure a solid favorite in this game. Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m. ET from Scotiabank Arena.

Both teams have played spirited hockey as of late. The Maple Leafs won three games in a row before losing badly at home to the lowly Buffalo Sabres, while the Canucks have won four-of-five. Toronto has been the stronger all-around team this season. Looking at the NHL stats, with one of the league’s best goal scorers in Matthews, the Leafs are fifth in goals per game at 3.6. Meanwhile, the Canucks are 23rd, only scoring 2.7 goals per contest. Defensively, the teams are fairly equal, the Canucks 14th in goals against while the Maple Leafs sit at 16th. 

In the NHL standings, the Maple Leafs are right in the thick of things in the Atlantic Division with 74 points. Their record of 35-15-4 has them sitting in third place. 

For the Canucks, their mediocre play throughout the season has placed them right where one would expect, a mediocre position. They possess a record of 27-23-6, good for 60 points and in sixth place in the Pacific Division. There’s some work to do if Vancouver is going to vault into wild-card contention, and if it has any chance at making some noise this season, it needs to start putting together some runs.

With some similarities between the teams, the spread/puck line could be an enticing bet here. At home and with many advantages, the Maple Leafs will be favored or slightly when it comes to the puck line, probably at -1.5. Their ability to win by two or more goals should not be in doubt in this contest, and is likely the best bet for this game. Either way, the wager lies with the Leafs.

There is one caveat, however, and that’s Vancouver winning three of the last five contests between these two teams dating to last season. So, if you’re worried about the Maple Leafs pulling away and dominating, then the bets would suggest Toronto’s moneyline or maybe the over on the probable total of 6.