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Oilers vs. Maple Leafs Prediction and Odds: Edmonton in Trouble with McDavid Sidelined

By Matt De Saro

The Toronto Maple Leafs are in a good spot tonight against an Oilers team without their best player.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are in a good spot tonight against an Oilers team without their best player. / Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
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An all-Canadian showdown goes down tonight at Scotiabank Arena between the Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Leafs have the second-best winning percentage in the NHL behind the 23-8 Carolina Hurricanes, and are currently riding a three-game win streak. Only issue? They've hit the ice just once since the holiday break. While Toronto’s last win was impressive with a 6-0 final, it also came against the lowly Ottawa Senators. 

The Oilers enter with an 18-13-2 record and got beat by the New York Rangers 4-1 in their last outing for their fourth loss in the last five games. News for the Oilers went from bad to worse when it was announced that Connor McDavid tested positive for COVID and will not be playing tonight.

Here are the odds for tonight’s North-of-the--border matchup, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

Oilers vs. Maple Leafs Odds and Total

Moneyline:

  • Oilers +238
  • Maple Leafs –275

Puck line:

  • Oilers +1.5 (+100)
  • Maple Leafs -1.5 (-120)

Total:

  • 6.0 (Over -120/Under +100)

Oilers vs. Maple Leafs Betting Trends

  • The Oilers are 2-10 straight up (SU) in tier last 12 games.
  • The UNDER is 7-3 in the Oilers’ last 10 games. 
  • The Oilers are 1-5 SU in their last six road games. 
  • The UNDER is 5-2 in the Oilers’ last seven games against the Eastern Conference. 
  • The OVER is 7-2 in the Maple Leafs’ last nine games. 
  • The Maple Leafs are 4-1 SU in their last five games. 
  • The OVER is 5-1 in the Maple Leafs’ last six games against the Western Conference. 

Oilers vs. Maple Leafs Prediction and Pick

While the loss of McDavid robs us of the anticipated showdown between him and Auston Matthews, his absence makes this game an easier call especially considering the Oilers will be without Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Derek Ryan as well.

Edmonton has struggled mightily after leading the Pacific Division for some time. Now, after losing 13 of their last 22 games, they are just trying to keep in the playoff hunt. It doesn’t help that their goaltenders are among some of the worst in the NHL. Mike Smith has a save percentage of .897 while Mikko Koskinen is only slightly better at .900. Smith is also dealing with injuries so Koskinen might be on his own tonight.

While we, as fans, don't benefit from McDavid’s absence, the Maple Leafs certainly will. With a depleted roser and sub-par talent in between the pipes, I don’t see this game being that close. 

Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs -1.5 (-120)

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