Washington Capitals vs Toronto Maple Leafs Prediction, 12/28/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Washington Capitals vs Toronto Maple Leafs

Date: Saturday, December 28, 2024

Location: Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON

TV: Sportsnet

Odds/Point Spread: Capitals (-145) Maple Leafs (+125)

The Toronto Maple Leafs (21-12-2) welcome the Washington Capitals (23-9-2) at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday. The odds on this game have Washington at -145 while Toronto is priced at +125. The over/under is 6.5.

The Washington Capitals will be looking to get a win in their next outing after their 4-1 loss to the Bruins in their last outing. The Capitals could have played much better offensively in this loss. In the game, they converted 1 of the 11 shots they put on goal. Additionally, they had 3 power play attempts and were able to score 1 goal. Washington accounted for 12 mins in the box in this contest.

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While playing at even strength, the Capitals have conceded 71 goals while notching 103 on offense. Washington Capitals opponents have recorded 106 power play opportunities (9th in pro hockey) and have scored 18 goals in those attempts. Regarding their scoring, the Washington Capitals have notched 125 goals (3rd in hockey) on the year and have given up 89. Washington has attempted 953 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 13.1%. For the season, they have earned 48 points and their points percentage is .706. The Capitals thus far have had 920 shots attempted against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .903. Washington is sitting with 102 power play chances and they have added 22 goals out of those attempts, earning them a percentage of 21.57%.

Patrolling the crease for the game will be Logan Thompson. Over the course of his time in hockey, Thompson is sitting with 66 quality starts and his quality starts rate sits at .589. He has a save percentage of .912 in his 5,965 mins in the crease. Thompson has seen 3,475 shots against him and has amassed 3,170 total saves. Opponents have racked up 305 goals against Thompson in his professional hockey career and his average for goals against per game is 3.07. He has a win-loss mark of 69-34-13 and he was named the starter in 112 games. Thompson has been involved in 120 matchups over the course of his pro hockey career.

In their last contest, Toronto squared up with the Jets in a matchup where the Maple Leafs took a loss by a final of 5-2. They had 3 power play opportunities in this contest and scored 1 out of those tries. The Maple Leafs tallied 2 goals out of the 25 shots on goal they took.

So far this season, the Toronto Maple Leafs have earned a total of 108 goals, 44 points, in addition to a points percentage of .629. They have permitted 98 goals to be scored by way of 78 goals at even strength and 20 goals while they were shorthanded. The Maple Leafs have 87 goals at even strength and 21 goals (14th in professional hockey) while on the power play. They have recorded 103 chances on the power play and they have a power play rate of 20.39%. Toronto has taken 1,003 shots (14th in professional hockey) and has earned a shot percentage of 10.77%, while allowing the opposition 1,020 shots. They have earned a penalty kill rate of 82.46% on the other teams 114 power play opportunities, and their save percentage comes in at 90.4%.

On the other side of the ice you will find Matt Murray between the pipes. He has accrued 7,298 saves out of the 8,016 shots attempted, which gives him a save % of .910. Murray has accumulated a lifetime mark of 146-86-24 and has participated in 272 games. He has started in 264 contests and has played 15,423 mins. Murray's quality start rate comes out to 52.7% and he has qualified for 139 quality starts in his career. His opposition is averaging 2.79 goals per contest and he has allowed 718 goals altogether.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Toronto (+125)

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