Both the Maple Leafs and the Predators are playing the second game in back-to-back sets, so their backup goaltenders will likely get the nod tonight. The outcome may depend on who is more motivated, and Nashville has a significant advantage there. Further information can be found in our NHL predictions.
With a five-point deficit to the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference, the Nashville Predators are still mathematically in the playoff hunt. Despite yesterday’s home loss against the Seattle Kraken (7-2), they have won two of their last three matches.
The Toronto Maple Leafs lost to the Carolina Hurricanes yesterday in Raleigh, but they’ll have to forget about that quickly.
The Predators are the home underdog today despite winning four of the last five matchups between these two teams.
Check out my best bet for the Predators vs. Maple Leafs game on March 26 with our free NHL picks and predictions.
Maple Leafs vs Predators picks and predictions
Now that the Toronto Maple Leafs have a very good idea of who they’ll face in the first round of the playoffs, they’re aiming to step up their game in order to be as ready as possible when the postseason finally begins.
The Predators of Nashville may be lacking in depth, but they still have a shot at the postseason and nothing to lose. Both teams are playing the second night of a back-to-back and have yet to reveal their starting goalies, but Nashville will face a significant challenge in net. The Maple Leafs have a high-powered attack that may punish the Predators for any carelessness on their part.
The Leafs’ recent play has been erratic. They have won only one of their last three games and have lost two of them.
Matt Duchene and Luke Evangelista have been the catalysts for the Predators’ attack of late, with both players recording three goals and two assists in their team’s previous five games. Nashville has scored 10 goals as a team during its last three contests.
I’m considering making a situational wager on the Predators in this game because they have much to gain from a win and are the home team, providing excellent value. They have everything it takes to beat the Leafs.
Maple Leafs vs Predators moneyline analysis
The Maple Leafs were clearly the superior club in yesterday’s matchup against the Canes, but they lacked the necessary puck luck to secure a victory. Their defense has recently been suspect, letting in 14 goals across their last three contests. The Leafs are likely to start Joseph Woll today due to Matt Murray’s recent string of starts and Ilya Samsonov’s continued absence.
The situation in net for the Predators is identical. As Juuse Saros has already begun the previous two games, Kevin Lankinen is the heavy favorite to earn the nod tonight. Thus far this season, he’s had a very respectable showing in net, with an 8-6-1 record with a.917 SV% and a 2.70 GAA.
Even though the Leafs won the first encounter between the two teams this season (2-1) back in January, Nashville played a great game.
The Predators have shown resilience all season, as evidenced by their perfect record in their previous five games following a loss by three goals or more. They have also won their last six games after surrendering five or more goals in their previous contest.
Nashville will be able to pull through, though it won’t be easy.
Maple Leafs vs Predators Over/Under analysis
Yesterday in Carolina, the Maple Leafs came out strong, putting up 44 shots on goal against what is often considered to be the top defensive club in the NHL. Being one of the best goal scorers of his generation, Auston Matthews scored twice in that game. In his last ten games, he has scored eight times.
The Predators’ offense isn’t as threatening as it once was, but they’ve been scoring goals as of late.
Toronto’s last five games have all gone Over, indicating they have been involved in highly high-scoring situations. If you’re interested in ice hockey betting, this could be an opportunity to place a wager. It’s likely that both clubs will use their backup goalies in this contest, so don’t expect a particularly intense fight between the pipes.
We’ll see a few goals tonight in Nashville.
