Toronto Maple Leafs vs Washington Capitals Prediction, 12/17/2022 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Toronto Maple Leafs vs Washington Capitals

Date: Saturday, December 17, 2022

Location: Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

TV: NBC Sports Washington

The Toronto Maple Leafs (19-5-6) are on their way to Capital One Arena on Saturday where they will meet the Washington Capitals (15-12-4).

The Toronto Maple Leafs were on the winning side of the scoreboard with a 7-0 win against the Ducks in their previous game. The Maple Leafs had a good offensive outing and it showed in the victory. For the outing, they netted 7 of the 42 shots they tried. Furthermore, they had 3 opportunities with more players on the ice but weren't able to score. Toronto accumulated 4 penalty minutes in this contest.

In reference to their goal scoring prowess, the Toronto Maple Leafs have racked up 100 goals (11th in the league) on the campaign and have allowed 70. For the season, they sit with 44 points and their points percentage is .733. Toronto comes into tonight with 98 power play opportunities and they have notched 24 goals during those advantages, giving them a percentage of 24.49%. While at even strength, the Maple Leafs have surrendered 51 goals while having 76 on offense. Toronto has tried 948 shots and is the owner of a shot percentage of 10.6%. The Maple Leafs have seen 880 shots attempted against them and hold a save percentage of .920. Toronto Maple Leafs opponents have earned 95 power play tries (14th in the NHL) and have come away with 19 goals in those attempts.

The player guarding the cage in this matchup is Ilya Samsonov. Samsonov has participated in 100 matchups during his hockey career. He has earned a record of 61-24-8 and got the start in 90 games. The opposition has racked up 246 goals against Samsonov in his career and his goals against average per contest is 2.68. Samsonov has had 2,628 shots against him and has recorded 2,382 saves. His save percentage sits at .906 for his 5,501 minutes on the ice. Throughout his time in hockey, Samsonov has recorded 43 quality starts and his quality starts percentage sits at .478.

In their last contest, Washington went up against the Blackhawks in a matchup where the Capitals notched a victory by a tally of 7-3. They had 1 power play opportunity in this game and tallied 1 on that opportunity. The Capitals recorded 7 goals out of the 30 shots on goal they were seeking.

The Capitals have 70 goals at even strength and 24 goals (10th in the league) while having a power play advantage. Washington has attempted 955 shots (12th in the NHL) and has earned a shot percentage of 9.84%, while allowing their opponents 951 shots. So far this season, the Washington Capitals have a total of 94 goals, 34 points, as well as a points percentage of .548. They have granted a total of 90 goals to be scored by of a combination of 73 goals at even strength and 17 goals while they were shorthanded. They have earned 106 power play chances and they have earned a power play rate of 22.64%. They have a penalty kill percentage of 80.90% on their opponents 89 power play chances, and their save percentage is 90.5%.

For the opposition you are going to see Charlie Lindgren in net. Lindgren has amassed a career record of 22-15-4 and has participated in 42 games. Lindgren's quality start percentage sits at 59.0% and he has accumulated 23 quality starts in his career. He has recorded 1,151 stops out of the 1,262 shots attempted, giving him a save % of .912. The opposition is averaging 2.76 goals/game and he has allowed 111 goals altogether. He has been a starter 39 games and has been on the ice for 2,414 minutes.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh's Pick: Take Washington

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