Wednesday NHL Odds, Picks, Prediction: Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Chicago Blackhawks Betting Preview (Oct. 27)
Claus Andersen/Getty Images. Pictured: Auston Matthews.
- The Toronto Maple Leafs are favored against the Chicago Blackhawks in Wednesday's NHL showdown.
- Chicago is one of the NHL's worst teams and just had its general manager resign on Tuesday.
- Pat Pickens breaks down the contest below and makes his betting selection.
Blackhawks vs. Maple Leafs Odds
| Maple Leafs Odds | -160 |
| Blackhawks Odds | +140 |
| Over/Under | 6 |
| Time | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
| Odds via DraftKings. Get up-to-the-minute NHL Odds here. | |
The Chicago Blackhawks are arguably the NHL's worst team, with just one point in their first six games — an overtime loss in their season opener in New Jersey. They have been rocked by COVID-19 and a scandal that saw general manager Stan Bowman resign on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs have lost four straight and been outscored 18-6 in that span. They will close a three-game road trip with this one, during which they've been outscored 11-2.
Something's got to give.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto started 2-1 but has since lost four straight, three in regulation, since Auston Matthews returned from injury. There is cause for panic north of the border since the Maple Leafs were expected to be a Stanley Cup contender, but they have instead been outscored 23-13 this season.
The Maple Leafs' underlying numbers are far better than their 2-4-1 record indicates since their 5-on-5 expected goals percentage is ninth (53.7%) in the NHL. Unfortunately, their all-situation PDO is sixth-worst (.947) and the Maple Leafs are shooting just 5.5% as a team, which is the worst in the NHL.
Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks are one of two teams that haven't won yet this season, and they've been outscored 27-12 in their first six games. Chicago has the third-worst 5-on-5 expected goals percentage (42.2), according to Natural Stat Trick and all-world winger Patrick Kane was joined by fellow forwards Jonathan Toews and Henrik Borgstrom in COVID-19 protocol on Tuesday.
Chicago has allowed four-plus goals in every game this season and has the worst PDO of any team in the league (.887). The Blackhawks will look to close their four-game home stand with their first win before hitting the road this weekend.
Blackhawks vs. Maple Leafs Pick
I'm so tempted to take the Blackhawks, mostly due to the randomness of hockey. Plus, it would be very Maple Leafs of them to lose to a shorthanded rival that is being overwhelmed by COVID and involved in arguably the biggest scandal in the sport this season.
But I don't think the Maple Leafs could even screw this up.
Pick: Toronto ML (-160)
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