The Toronto Maple Leafs (11-10-4) and Detroit Red Wings (7-16-3) hook up in an Original Six renewal of acquaintances Wednesday night at 7 p.m. ET at Little Caesars Arena in Hockeytown. We analyze the Maple Leafs-Red Wings sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.
Maple Leafs at Red Wings: Projected starting goalies
Frederik Andersen vs. Jimmy Howard
Andersen carries an 11-5-2 mark, 2.68 goals against average and .916 save percentage into battle. One of those wins came at LCA back on Oct. 12 when the Danish tendie stopped 25 of the 27 shots he faced in a 5-2 victory.
Howard was on the receiving end of the 5-2 beating back on Oct. 12, coughing up four goals on 40 shots. One of those goals allowed went to Maple Leafs C Alexander Kerfoot, but Howard needn’t worry about the ex-Avalanche pivot, as Kerfoot is suspended for this one.
Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.
Maple Leafs at Red Wings: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 3:25 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Maple Leafs 4, Red Wings 2
Moneyline (ML)
The Maple Leafs (-209) are heavy favorites in this one, but they simply cannot be trusted at this price point. Yes, they have shown some jump under new bench boss Sheldon Keefe, winning two in a row at Arizona and at Colorado, but they’re still too risky even against the cellar-dwelling Red Wings (+170). Look to the puck line instead.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
The MAPLE LEAFS (-1.5, +135) are anything but a sure thing. However, if you’re looking for value, the Leafs catching plus-money to win by two or more goals is the spot. They outscored the Coyotes and Avalanche 8-4 in two games under Keefe, winning each game by two goals. Those who bet only the moneyline in the past two outings left money on the table.
Over/Under (O/U)
The line on the UNDER 6.5 (-139) is slightly inflated. The Leafs are still without Mitch Marner (ankle), and Andersen has been a beacon of hope for the Leafs. The Red Wings have a strong offense with a bright future, but they have had their hands full with the Leafs. The Under is 9-3-1 in the past 13 meetings in Detroit, too. This won’t be a defensive slog, but won’t be mistaken as fire wagon hockey, either.
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=4 category=2059]