Tag: Mitch Marner

The Leafs lost another Game 7 in the first round and NHL fans couldn’t wait to roast them

We feel bad for the city of Toronto, but this is tremendous content.

Objectively speaking, the Leafs are one of the NHL’s best teams.

A 60-goal scorer in Auston Matthews. One of the best pure passers in the league in Mitch Marner. John Tavares as the second line center. Steady playmaking veterans like William Nylander and Mark Giordano on the third line and third defensive pair, respectively.

And yet, it never seems to matter come playoff time.

On Saturday night, the Leafs (-125) lost 3-2 to the two-time defending champion Lightning in another first round Game 7. A tough matchup aside, everything was, once again, in Toronto’s favor. That mentioned talented roster. A once 3-2 series lead. Home ice!

And yet, none of it mattered. The Leafs are cursed, right? They have to be cursed.

Oh. My. Goodness. Yeah, the Leafs are definitely cursed.

We’re watching historic failure in the clutch unfold right before our eyes. Until Toronto can win a single (emphasis: SINGLE) playoff series with all that talent and all those advantages on their side, it’s the only logical conclusion.

Of course, these are the playoffs, and spite reigns supreme. NHL fans couldn’t wait to revel in the latest Leafs’ playoff fiasco.

Toronto Maple Leafs at Nashville Predators odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Monday’s Toronto Maple Leafs at Nashville Predators sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

The Toronto Maple Leafs (25-17-7) and Nashville Predators (22-18-7) will battle at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville at 8 p.m. ET. We analyze the Maple Leafs-Predators sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Maple Leafs at Predators: Projected starting goalies

Frederik Andersen vs. Pekka Rinne

The All-Star Andersen is 22-9-6 with a 2.89 goals against average and .909 save percentage. He is the projected starter, but since he took part in the Skills Competition and All-Star Game on Saturday night, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Michael Hutchinson get the nod. The latter is 3-7-1 with a 3.83 GAA and .885 SV%, but more rested and he has won three times in his past five appearances.

Rinne did not go to St. Louis for the All-Star festivities, so he is well rested, too. He is 16-10-3 with a 2.95 GAA and .899 SV% overall, but has alternated wins and losses in six January appearances, allowing three or fewer goals in four of those outings. He hasn’t faced Toronto this season, but he was 2-0-0 with a 0.00 GAA, 40 saves and two shutouts in his two appearances against the Leafs last season.

Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.

Maple Leafs at Predators: 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 7:30 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Predators 3, Maple Leafs 1

Moneyline (ML)

The PREDATORS (-125) are very reasonably priced considering Rinne’s dominance of the Maple Leafs (+105) last season. The Leafs closed out the unofficial first half with just one win in their previous six before the All-Star break, and they’re 0-4 in the past four against the Western Conference, too.

A $10 bet on the Predators to win returns a profit of $8, while a $10 wager on the Maple Leafs results in a profit of $10.50.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The slight lean is to the PREDATORS (-1.5, +200) as you can double your money here. Expect Leafs All-Stars Andersen, Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews to be sluggish after competing in St. Louis over the weekend.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 6.5 (-154) is the way to go, as Rinne has dominated the Leafs in recent meetings. In addition, the series trends point in the direction of Under, hitting in four of the past five meetings overall, and five of the past seven in the Music City.

Want some action in this one? 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.

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Toronto Maple Leafs at Detroit Red Wings odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Wednesday’s Toronto Maple Leafs at Detroit Red Wings sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

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.

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