The Vancouver Canucks (6-7-0) travel to meet the Toronto Maple Leafs (7-2-1) at Scotiabank Arena Thursday for a 7 p.m. ET puck drop. Below, we analyze the Canucks-Maple Leafs NHL odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Canucks at Maple Leafs: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:31 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Canucks +160 (bet $100 to win $160) | Maple Leafs -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Canucks +1.5 (-160) | Maple Leafs -1.5 (+135)
- Over/Under: 6.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)
Canucks at Maple Leafs: Projected starting goalies
Thatcher Demko (3-4-0, 3.34 GAA, .909 SV%) vs. Frederik Andersen (5-2-1, 3.01 GAA, .892 SV%)
Demko was roughed up for four goals on 32 shots in Tuesday’s 5-3 loss at Montreal against the red-hot Habs. That outing snapped a three-game run in which Demko allowed just one goal in each of the outings. It has been a roller coaster ride for the young netminder. He lost three in a row to start the season followed by three consecutive wins before Tuesday’s defeat.
Andersen has allowed three or more goals in each of his past three starts, but he won two of those outings with one overtime setback, as the offense generally backs him well. He is receiving 3.8 goals of offensive support across the past four starts.
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Canucks at Maple Leafs: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Maple Leafs 6, Canucks 4
Money line (ML)
The Maple Leafs (-190) are just a touch over my personal limit of -180 for money line plays. However, if you were to toss Toronto into a several-team parlay, it’s not a terrible bet. PASS.
Against the spread (ATS)
The MAPLE LEAFS -1.5 (+135) are worth a roll of the dice on the puck line. Both of these goalies can be tremendous or they can be absolutely awful with little in between. The Leafs should be able to get it done by at least two goals, but it might come down to an empty-netter to make the difference.
Over/Under (O/U)
OVER 6.5 (-120) is a high number, but it’s still worth the play. As mentioned, the Leafs tend to back Andersen with plenty of offensive support, and he will need it. The Canucks are averaging 3.4 goals per game, and allowing 3.7 goals per outing. The Leafs rank 10th in the NHL with 3.3 goals per outing, and they’re coughing up 2.9 goals per contest.
Look for plenty of fire wagon hockey in this one, with many odd-man chances. Hopefully the Scotiabank Arena scoreboard operator is limbered up.
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