The Washington Capitals (0-1-0) and Toronto Maple Leafs (0-1-0) meet Thursday at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Capitals vs. Maple Leafs odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Caps were boat-raced on home ice by the Boston Bruins 5-2 in the opener Wednesday. Washington looks to avoid an 0-2 hole to start the season in Toronto, where it has won 5 of the last 7 meetings.
The Maple Leafs were heavy favorites in Montreal on Wednesday, but the home team won for the 5th straight time in that series. Toronto looks to take advantage of some home cooking, as it is 38-15 in the last 53 games at home.
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Capitals at Maple Leafs odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:02 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Capitals +160 (bet $100 to win $160) | Maple Leafs -200 (bet $200 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Capitals +1.5 (-140) | Maple Leafs -1.5 (+112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -140 | U: +112)
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Capitals at Maple Leafs projected goalies
Charlie Lindgren (5-0-0, 1.22 GAA, .958 SV% in 2021-22 with St. Louis) vs. Ilya Samsonov (23-12-5, 3.02 GAA, .896 SV%, 3 SO in 2021-22 with Washington)
Lindgren returned to the NHL in a big way last season, appearing in 5 games as a backup for the Blues. It was his first action in the NHL since 2019-20 with the Montreal Canadiens. He has appeared in 29 games across 6 seasons, mostly with the Habs, winning 15 games.
Samsonov looks for a fresh start after flaming out in Washington. He was 23-12-0 last season in 39 starts and 44 appearances, but he also had a less-than-stellar 3.02 GAA and a .896 SV%, both career lows.
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Capitals at Maple Leafs picks and predictions
Prediction
Capitals 4, Maple Leafs 3
Moneyline
The CAPITALS (+160) will grab their 1st win of the season in Toronto, a place they have played well in recent seasons.
Fans of the Maple Leafs (-200) will be wringing their hands after a 2nd straight loss to start the season, but good things are right around the corner. It doesn’t help here that Samsonov makes his 1st start for the Leafs, and it just so happens to be against his old team, which knows him best.
Puck line/Against the spread
CAPITALS +1.5 (-140) isn’t a terrible play if you just can’t bring yourself to play Washington straight up. They’re not terribly overpriced here if you’re interested in some insurance.
Over/Under
The OVER 6.5 (-140) is the best play on the board, although you’ll have to eat a little extra chalk to get it.
The Over went 12-5 in the final 17 road games for the Caps last season, but more importantly, the Over is 4-0-1 in the last 5 meetings with the Leafs, and 4-1 in the last 5 battles between these teams at Scotiabank Arena.
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