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The Washington Capitals (23-9-2) visit the Toronto Maple Leafs (22-12-2) Saturday night. Puck drop from Scotiabank Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (NHL Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Capitals vs. Maple Leafs odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: Tied 1-1.
The Capitals snapped a 2-game winning streak with a 4-1 loss against the Bruins Monday while failing to cover as +125 road underdogs. LW Jakub Vrana was the lone goalscorer for Washington in the loss. There is good news on the horizon, though, as LW Alex Ovechkin (leg) took part in practice Friday. He has a chance to return for this one. He has been out since Nov. 18 with a fractured fibula.
Toronto snapped a 2-game losing streak with a 5-2 win over Detroit Friday while covering as a -126 road favorite. RW Mitch Marner led the way with a hat trick in the win. They’re treading water with C Auston Matthews (upper body) out. He’s skating at practice, but he’ll miss at least 1 more game.
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Capitals at Maple Leafs odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NHL odds. Lines last updated at 11:45 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Capitals -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Maple Leafs -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Capitals +1.5 (-275) | Maple Leafs -1.5 (+220)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Capitals at Maple Leafs projected goalies
Charlie Lindgren (10-7-0, 2.61 GAA, .903 SV%) vs. Matt Murray (1-0-0, 3.00 GAA, .889 SV%)
Lindgren has won 5 of his last 7 games while allowing 3 or fewer goals in each of his last 5. One of those games was a 3-1 win at Toronto Dec. 6, as he stopped 20 of 21 shots. He has a sparkling 1.81 GAA in December.
Murray was between the pipes in a 6-3 win at Buffalo Dec. 20 in his first start since coming up from the AHL. He stopped 24 of 27 fired his way. Anthony Stolarz (knee) has been out since Dec. 12, and Murray will back up Joseph Woll in the meantime.
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Capitals at Maple Leafs picks and predictions
Prediction
Maple Leafs 3, Capitals 2
Moneyline
BET MAPLE LEAFS (-110).
In a matchup between teams that are nearly even in records, the advantage belongs to the home team. Toronto is 14-6-0 on its home ice this season and has scored 5 or more goals in 4 of its last 6 games. It faces a Washington squad that has scored 3 or fewer goals in each of its last 5.
Puck line/Against the spread
PASS.
There is better value on the Maple Leafs to win outright.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 6 (-110).
The Capitals have a 0-8-2 Over record over their last 10 games. They have scored 3 goals or fewer in 8 of their last 10 while allowing 3 or fewer in 9 of their last 10.
The Maple Leafs have allowed 3 or fewer goals in 4 of their last 6 and in 6 of their last 9. They have scored 3 or fewer goals in 6 of their last 10.
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