The New York Rangers (28-34-9) and Toronto Maple Leafs (30-29-13) meet in the NHL tonight. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. EDT at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
The Rangers are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 6.5 (-110o / -110u). The Rangers are a -123 favorite to win outright, while the Maple Leafs are +103 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Rangers vs. Maple Leafs predictions and NHL picks.
Rangers vs. Maple Leafs Odds, Pick
| Rangers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +197 | 6.5 -110o / -110u | -123 |
| Maple Leafs Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -245 | 6.5 -110o / -110u | +103 |
- Rangers vs. Maple Leafs Spread: Rangers -1.5 (+197), Maple Leafs +1.5 (-245)
- Rangers vs. Maple Leafs Over/Under: 6.5 (-110o / -110u)
- Rangers vs. Maple Leafs Moneyline: Rangers -123, Maple Leafs +103
Rangers vs. Maple Leafs Preview
New York Rangers
The Rangers are on autopilot mode.
With their third game in four nights, New York is taking on a Maple Leafs roster that’s just as disappointing.
The Rangers put on an awful performance on Monday against the Senators, losing 2-1, and only putting up 10 shots on goal (was originally nine before a correction).
And you have to feel for the veterans on this team, like Mika Zibanejad and Adam Fox, who have done this long enough and seen the highest of highs for this franchise. But now all the eyes turn to the upcoming loaded NHL Draft.
New York’s 5-on-5 offensive numbers are bad. There’s no sugar coating it, as it’s playing to a 46.27 xGF% in the month of March, but luckily, the Rangers have a solid backend to help offset a struggling offense.
In addition, goaltending has continued to be a bright spot with Igor Shesterkin at the helm. Though I’ll be curious to see if Shesterkin gets the nod after getting overworked against Ottawa.
If not, Jonathan Quick is still day-to-day, and if he isn’t an option, I was impressed by the work of rookie Dylan Garand, who stopped 35 out of 37 shots against the Winnipeg Jets.
Toronto Maple Leafs
I mentioned that New York’s offense has been bad. But may I take you north of the border into Toronto?
I’m well aware that Leafs fans (and players) are tired of hearing the Mitch Marner angle, but his elite ability to move the puck is sorely missed on this team. Why, you may ask? Because Toronto hasn’t had a season like this in a while.
The Leafs 5-on-5 play, especially this month, has been taking a beating, playing to a paltry 40.31 xGF% – just one percentage point ahead of the NHL-worst Vancouver Canucks.
In addition, this defense has taken a beating. Morgan Rielly is playing to a defense-worst -17, and their top-scoring defenseman is Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
That used to be familiar territory for OEL, but after someone who has turned into a journeyman, he should not be leading in points. Rielly should.
To that point, Joseph Woll has actually been hammered with shots every game. Woll has clearly earned the trust of Craig Berube, and after Anthony Stolarz started in the win against the Bruins, expect Woll to get the nod tonight.
Woll, even though he’s lost four straight games, has been strong.
Given how poorly the defense has been, his -0.9 GSAx over the last 10 games is a positive, all things considered. Though he was the goaltender in question after New York pummeled him with five goals against earlier this month.
Rangers vs. Maple Leafs Prediction
Sometimes it’s a little wild to me that the Rangers are last in the East.
They’re not that bad. But their inability to win at home has turned this season completely upside down, which may not be the worst thing when you consider the upcoming draft.
Away from their barn, the Rangers hold a 19-16-2 record, and since they already beat down Toronto at home, I’m picking them to win outright yet again.
The Leafs are decent at home, but it’s hard to justify putting real money into a plus-money bet for a team that is playing abhorrently on both ends of the ice.
I really like Woll as a goaltender, but he’s the type of goalie that needs support from his defense – something he’s getting zero of. I’ll take the Rangers here.
Pick: Rangers ML (-125, FanDuel)
