The Toronto Maple Leafs (19-5-6) and New York Rangers (15-10-5) meet Thursday at Madison Square Garden. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Maple Leafs vs. Rangers odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Maple Leafs destroyed the visiting Anaheim Ducks 7-0 on Tuesday, posting a shutout for the 3rd time in the last 4 games. Toronto has posted a 12-0-3 record in the last 15 games. The team’s last loss in regulation was Nov. 11 at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Mitchell Marner of the Leafs extended his personal point streak to 23 games, wasting no time with the primary assist on a goal from John Taveras in the 1st period. Only 12 players in NHL history have had a streak or 23 or more games.
The Rangers were good for a 4-3 overtime win against the New Jersey Devils on Monday, winning for the 4th straight game. The Over is 3-1-1 in the last 5 games overall for New York.
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Maple Leafs at Rangers odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 10:29 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Maple Leafs -125 (bet $125 to win $100) | Rangers +105 (bet $100 to win $105)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Maple Leafs -1.5 (+180) | Rangers +1.5 (-250)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +105 | U: -125)
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Maple Leafs at Rangers projected goalies
Matt Murray (7-1-2, 2.50 GAA, .926 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Igor Shesterkin (14-4-4, 2.52 GAA, .916 SV%, 1 SO)
Murray is on fire, as he is 7-0-2 in his last 9 starts since returning Nov. 15 from an injury. He has allowed 3 or fewer goals in 7 of those outings, including a shutout in Dallas on Dec. 6.
Shesterkin has won 4 straight starts, allowing a total of just 9 goals during the span, and he is 4-0-1 with a 2.31 GAA and .926 SV% in 5 December starts.
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Maple Leafs at Rangers picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 3, Maple Leafs 2
The RANGERS (+105) are a solid value at short ‘dogs at home, even against the red-hot Maple Leafs (-125).
New York has been getting outstanding production from Shesterkin, who is starting to round back into his Vezina form at just the right time.
Yes, the Leafs have won 4 in a row, while going 7-1 in the last 8 on the road, but the Rangers have also won 4 in a row, while taking 4 of the previous 5 head-to-head battles against Toronto.
Puck line/Against the spread
The Rangers +1.5 (-250) will cost you 2 1/2 times your potential return, which is too much risk for not enough reward if you need insurance. If you like New York to win, just play it on the moneyline for a much better value.
PASS.
Over/Under
UNDER 6.5 (-125) is the way to go with 2 red-hot netminders.
The Under is 4-1 for the Leafs in the last 5 games against Eastern Conference teams, while going 4-0 in the last 4 against Metropolitan Division teams.
While the Rangers have cashed the Over at a 5-1 clip in the last 6 at MSG, the Under is 12-5 in the last 17 games against Eastern Conference teams, while going 9-2 in the last 11 against Atlantic Division foes.
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