Predators vs Leafs Odds & Prediction – Best Bet for Wednesday Night Hockey
By Daniel Coyle in NHL Hockey
Published:
- Nashville Predators ride a four-game win streak into Wednesday’s road date with the Toronto Maple Leafs
- The Leafs have won two straight but will be without injured star Auston Matthews
- Read on for all the odds and trends ahead of Wednesday night’s matchup at Scotiabank Arena
The Toronto Maple Leafs will be without superstar Auston Matthews when they return home to face the surging Nashville Predators in Wednesday night’s NHL action. The reigning Hart Trophy winner missed Tuesday’s practice due to an undisclosed injury, and was confirmed out by head coach Sheldon Keefe early on Wednesday. That is good news for the Predators, who travel to Toronto riding a four-game win streak after extending their current win streak to four games with a 3-0 road win in Ottawa on Monday night.
Start time is set for 7:00pm ET at Scotiabank Arena, with all the action televised on TNT and Sportsnet.
Matthews’ absence has not impacted the Maple Leafs in Wednesday’s NHL odds, where they currently perched as -190 favorites to record a third straight win while the Predators trail as +158 underdogs. The total is pegged at 6.0, with the UNDER slightly favored with -115 odds.
Predators vs Leafs Odds
| Game Time (ET) | Team | Puck Line | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, January 11th | Nashville Predators | +1.5 (-165) | O 6.0 (-105) | +158 |
| 7:00pm | Toronto Maple Leafs | -1.5 (+140) | U 6.0 (-115) | -190 |
Odds as of January 11th at Caesars Sportsbook. Unlock the Caesars promo code for Predators vs Leafs.
Bet $1 & Double Your Winnings On Your First 10 Bets!
Predators vs Leafs Recent History
Wednesday night’s matchup marks the first of two regular-season meetings between these clubs. The Predators recorded a decisive 6-3 win when these teams last met in Nashville back on March 19. However, the Leafs have otherwise dominated in head-to-head action, winning six of their past nine clashes with the Predators including victories in three of four dates on home ice.
These clubs have produced uneven results in totals betting, with the OVER/UNDER going 3-3 in their past six meetings. However, the UNDER has gone 4-1 over their past five matchups at Scotiabank Arena.
Nashville Predators Betting Outlook
The Predators continued their recent road warrior ways with an impressive performance in Monday’s 3-0 win over the Senators. The team has gone unbeaten through the first three dates on their current five-game road trip, and have compiled an impressive 5-0-1 record over their past six dates away from Bridgestone Arena.
With 102 saves over his last two games, Juuse Saros is the second goalie since 1996 to record at least 100 saves over a two-game span.#NHL | #Preds pic.twitter.com/ratPqddr6S
— Hockey Reference (@hockey_ref) January 10, 2023
In addition to burying the memory of a dismal run through December that featured a crushing six-game losing streak, the Preds’ current surge has lifted them within striking distance of a wild card spot in the Western Conference heading into Wednesday’s action. That surge is reflected on the Predators’ steadily improving odds to make the playoffs, which now sit as short as +126 at select sportsbooks.
The Predators have powered their resurgence with steady performances between the pipes. The club has allowed just two goals per game during their current 4-0-0 run, and will be looking for another standout performance from Wednesday’s expected starter Juuse Saros. The Preds goaltender stopped all 38 shots he faced in Monday’s victory in Ottawa. Saros has now allowed just seven total goals while winning four straight starts including an epic 64-save performance in last week’s 5-3 win in Carolina.
Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Outlook
The loss of Auston Matthews adds to the Leafs’ season-long battle with the injury bug. Joining Matthews in the clinic is TJ Brodie, who missed the team’s victory over the Flyers with a rib injury, and was added to the injured reserve on Tuesday. This marks the second time this season that Brodie has been sidelined, adding him to a growing list of injured rearguards, which includes Jake Muzzin, Victor Mete, and Carl Dahlstrom.
Auston Matthews won’t play against the Predators on Wednesday night.
Sheldon Keefe says Matthews has been playing through something that’s been “lingering for a while.”
Bobby McMann will make his NHL debut with Matthews out.
— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) January 11, 2023
However, the Leafs have managed to make up for a depleted blue line with impressive offensive performances in their past two outings. Both John Tavares and Mitch Marner enter Wednesday’s action on a roll, with each of them posting five points over their past two outings.
The club has also been getting contributions from the supporting cast, most notably Calle Jarnkrok. The former Predators center has impressed since returning from a groin injury that sidelined him for most of December, racking up four goals and seven assists in nine games including a three-point performance in Philadelphia.
Predators vs Leafs Prediction
While the Predators are enjoying a steady resurgence during their current road trip, they have managed to eke out wins despite being badly outshot over their past three games. Maintaining those road warrior ways against a Leafs squad that is averaging four goals per game over their past 10 outings will once again place the burden on Nashville netminding to steal the win.
The Pick: Maple Leafs -1.5 (+140)
Sports Writer
Daniel has been writing about sports and sports betting for over 23 years. The seasoned pro has contributed to the likes of Sports Illustrated, Sportsnet, NESN, Bleacher Report, OddsShark, the Globe and Mail, and The Nation magazine.
