The New York Islanders (25-11-3) and Toronto Maple Leafs (23-14-5) square off at Scotiabank Arena at 7 p.m. ET Saturday. We analyze the Islanders-Maple Leafs sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.
Islanders at Maple Leafs: Projected starting goalies
Semyon Varlamov vs. Michael Hutchinson
Varlamov will be in the crease to face the Maple Leafs, putting his impressive 14-4-3 record, 2.41 goals against average and .921 save percentage on the line. He picked up a win against the Leafs Nov. 13, but he allowed four goals on 27 shots, so it wasn’t a dominating performance.
Hutchinson enters Saturday off of rare back-to-back victories and is now 2-5-1 for the season. He has a .883 SV% and 4.03 GAA, and he gave up four goals on 28 shots in his last start against the New Jersey Devils Dec. 27.
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Islanders at Maple Leafs: 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 12:15 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Maple Leafs 4, Islanders 3
Moneyline (ML)
The MAPLE LEAFS (-175) are looking for revenge against the Islanders, and they’re going to get it at home. They have won eight of their last nine games overall, and they’re 5-1 in the past six against Eastern Conference foes. The Islanders (+145) have won just once in the past five trips to Hogtown.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
The puck line is tempting for the Leafs (-1.5, +155), but I expect this to be a one-goal game, perhaps decided in overtime or a shootout. However, the Islanders (+1.5, -189) are just too expensive on the other end. That’s too much chalk to eat.
Over/Under (O/U)
The OVER 5.5 (-133) is a strong play, as you can expect some fire-wagon hockey in this one featuring two high-powered offenses. Plus, the Over is 10-2 in the previous 12 meetings in Toronto.
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