The Toronto Maple Leafs (42-18-9) play the 2nd contest of a 5-game road trip against the New York Islanders (36-27-8) Tuesday. Puck drop from UBS Arena is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Maple Leafs vs. Islanders odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Maple Leafs opened their road trip with a 5-4 shootout victory against the Ottawa Senators Saturday. Toronto is 4-1-1 over its last 6 games.
The Islanders wrapped up a California road trip with wins over the Anaheim Ducks (6-3 Wednesday) and San Jose Sharks (4-1 Saturday) after losing 5-2 to the Los Angeles Kings last Tuesday.
New York has 80 points through 71 games, sitting in the first wild-card position in the Eastern Conference, a point ahead of the Florida Panthers.
These teams have met twice in Toronto this season with the Isles picking up a 3-2 overtime win on Nov. 21 and the Leafs recording a 5-2 victory on Jan. 23.
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Maple Leafs at Islanders odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:51 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Maple Leafs -125 (bet $125 to win $100) | Islanders +105 (bet $100 to win $105)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Maple Leafs -1.5 (+180) | Islanders +1.5 (-230)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -130 | U: +110)
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Maple Leafs at Islanders projected goalies
Ilya Samsonov (24-8-3, 2.35 GAA, .917 SV%, 3 SO) vs. Ilya Sorokin (25-19-6, 2.37 GAA, .924 SV%, 5 SO)
Samsonov is confirmed for Tuesday, although plans could still change, as the goalie might be forced to leave the team at the last minute due to the impending birth of his child.
Samsonov has been hot lately, winning 5 of his past 7 starts, while allowing 2 or fewer goals in 4 of his last 6 outings. He allowed 2 goals on 33 shots against the Isles Jan. 23.
Sorokin allowed just a single goal on 30 shots in San Jose Saturday in his most recent showing. He is 5-1-0 with a 2.35 GAA and .919 SV% in 6 March outings. Sorokin was the visiting goalie Jan. 23 in Toronto, allowing 5 goals on 39 shots in the loss. He also allowed just 2 goals on 32 shots in the Nov. 21 win in the first meeting.
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Maple Leafs at Islanders picks and predictions
Prediction
Islanders 3, Maple Leafs 2
Moneyline
The ISLANDERS (+105) are worth a look as short ‘dogs at home, especially with the Maple Leafs dealing with undisclosed injuries to C Noel Acciari and D T.J. Brodie, making both question marks. The center seems likely to return to action Tuesday after missing Saturday’s game.
Toss in the fact the Leafs could be forced to make a late goaltender change, and there is just more certainty backing the Isles.
Puck line/Against the spread
The Islanders +1.5 (-230) will cost you nearly 2 1/2 times your potential return if you’d like a little insurance and don’t want to play the home team straight up.
AVOID.
Over/Under
The UNDER 5.5 (+110) is the lean but go with a half-unit play at most.
The Over has dominated for the Leafs lately, going 4-1-1 in the past 6 games and cashing at a 4-0-1 clip in their past 5 against Eastern Conference foes.
However, it’s been all about the Under for the Islanders, cashing in 4 of their last 5 games at home and at a 12-4-1 clip in the past 17 games against Atlantic Division teams. The Under is 4-1-1 in the past 6 in the series, too.
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