Tampa Bay Lightning vs Toronto Maple Leafs Prediction, 4/20/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Tampa Bay Lightning vs Toronto Maple Leafs

Date: Thursday, April 20, 2023

Location: Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Lightning (+133) Maple Leafs (-162)

Scotiabank Arena is where the Toronto Maple Leafs (50-21-11) will attempt to beat the Tampa Bay Lightning (46-30-6) on Thursday in Game 2 of their series. Tampa leads 1-0. The line on this contest has the Lightning at +133 and the Maple Leafs are priced at -162. The total is set at 6.

The Tampa Bay Lightning were on the right side of the scoreboard with a 7-3 victory over the Maple Leafs in their previous outing. Tampa Bay accrued 8 minutes in the box in this game. Furthermore, they had 8 power play chances and scored 4 goals. The Lightning had a impressive offensive output in the victory. For the matchup, they tallied a score on 7 out of the 34 shots they put on goal.

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Pertaining to scoring goals, the Tampa Bay Lightning have earned 280 goals (8th in the NHL) this season and have allowed 252. For the current campaign, they have 98 points and their points % is .598. Tampa Bay is sitting with 280 power play chances and they have scored 71 goals out of those chances, garnering them a percentage of 25.36%. While at even strength, the Lightning have given up 199 goals while getting 209 as an offensive unit. Tampa Bay has tried 2,621 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 10.7%. The Lightning thus far have had 2,582 shots attempted against them and have a save percentage of .902. Tampa Bay Lightning opponents have totaled 261 power play tries (12th in the league) and have notched 53 goals in those chances.

The player guarding the cage in this matchup is Andrei Vasilevskiy. The opposition has scored 1,051 goals versus Vasilevskiy in his career and his average for goals against per game is 2.52. Vasilevskiy has taken the ice for 425 contests during his hockey career. His save percentage currently sits at .919 for his 24,986 minutes between the pipes. He has earned an overall record of 263-123-28 and he started in 415 games. Over the course of his career, Vasilevskiy has accrued 238 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .573. Vasilevskiy has seen 12,914 shots against him and he has 11,863 saves.

In Game 1 the Maple Leafs recorded 3 goals of the 31 shots on goal they attempted. They had 4 power play opportunities in this one and tallied 2 out of those tries.

The Maple Leafs have scored 214 goals at even strength and 64 goals (5th in professional hockey) while on the power play. Toronto has tried 2,628 shots (12th in professional hockey) and has earned a shot percentage of 10.58%, while allowing the opposition 2,420 shots. On the year, the Toronto Maple Leafs are sitting with 278 goals, 111 points, and a points percentage of .677. They have allowed 220 goals to be scored by way of 175 goals at even strength and 45 goals while they were shorthanded. They have earned 246 power play opportunities and they have a power play rate of 26.02%. They have recorded a penalty kill rate of 81.85% on the other teams 248 tries on the power play, and their save percentage currently sits at 90.9%.

Across the rink you are expected to see Ilya Samsonov protecting the goal. Teams are averaging 2.65 goals per contest and he has relinquished 324 goals in total. Samsonov's quality start percentage sits at 50.4% and he has 60 quality starting assignments in his career. He has been a starter 119 contests and has played for a total of 7,341 minutes. Samsonov is sitting with a lifetime mark of 79-32-13 and has been in goal for 131 games. He has recorded 3,193 saves out of 3,517 shots taken against him, which gives him a save percentage of .908.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Tampa Bay (+133)

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