The Carolina Hurricanes (34-22-4) and Toronto Maple Leafs (32-22-8) will lock horns at Scotiabank Arena at 7 p.m. ET Saturday. We analyze the Hurricanes-Maple Leafs sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.
Hurricanes at Maple Leafs: Projected starting goalies
James Reimer vs. Frederik Andersen
Reimer is expected to get the starting nod after Petr Mrazek started (and lost) at home against the New York Rangers in the front end of the back-to-back Friday. Optimus Reim has posted a 14-6-2 record, 2.67 goals against average and .914 save percentage through his 23 starts and one relief appearance. He was tuned up for four goals on just seven shots Dec. 23 in Toronto in the first meeting against his former team, an 8-6 loss.
Andersen is a solid 25-12-6 with a 2.91 GAA and .908 SV% across his 46 starts. While he allowed six goals in the Dec. 23 meeting with the ‘Canes, he stopped 34 shots en route to an 8-6 victory. He is coming off a shutout win against the Pittsburgh Penguins Thursday, a win which slapped the brakes on a personal three-game skid.
Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.
Hurricanes at Maple Leafs: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 8:15 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Hurricanes 4, Maple Leafs 3
Moneyline (ML)
The HURRICANES (+135) have been able to bounce back after losses, and they’re in good shape with a 4-1 record in their past five in the second game of a back-to-back. The road team has also won seven of the past 10 meetings in this series. The Maple Leafs (-162), on the other hand, have posted a 2-5 mark in their past seven games against Eastern Conference opponents, while going 0-4 in their past four following a win.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
The Hurricanes (+1.5, -200) are not worth the insurance, as you will need to risk two times your return. The Maple Leafs (-1.5, +165) are a much more attractive play if you like the home side. I don’t, however. AVOID.
Over/Under (O/U)
The OVER 6.5 (+125) is worth a small-unit bet, hitting in five of the past seven meetings in this series. The Over is also 8-2 in Carolina’s past 10 overall, and 6-2 in its past eight against winning teams. Toronto has played to the Under in five of its past seven, but the Over is 14-3 in the past 17 against Metropolitan Division teams, while going 9-4 in the past 13 playing on a day of rest.
Want some action on this matchup? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.
Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=2059]