Chicago Blackhawks at Toronto Maple Leafs odds, picks and predictions
The Chicago Blackhawks (1-2-0) and the Toronto Maple Leafs (2-0-0) meet Monday at Scotiabank Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Blackhawks vs. Maple Leafs odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Blackhawks play the 4th contest of a 5-game road trip to open the season. After posting a 4-2 win in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, Chicago has been outscored 6-3 in a pair of losses in Boston and Montreal. The Under has cashed in all 3 games to date.
The Maple Leafs opened with a wild 6-5 shootout win over the Montreal Canadiens Wednesday, then posted a 7-4 win Saturday against the Minnesota Wild. C Auston Matthews has posted consecutive hat tricks to open the season, becoming just the 5th player in NHL history to open the season with back-to-back 3-goal games.
Stream the NHL all season on ESPN+, with your team's out-of-market games, exclusive games, originals and more. Get ESPN+ now!
Blackhawks at Maple Leafs odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:24 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Blackhawks +260 (bet $100 to win $260) | Maple Leafs -350 (bet $350 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Blackhawks +1.5 (+110) | Maple Leafs -1.5 (-135)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)
Blackhawks at Maple Leafs projected goalies
Petr Mrazek (1-1-0, 2.54 GAA, .935 SV%) vs. Joseph Woll (6-1-0, 2.16 GAA, .932 SV% - 2022-23)
Mrazek allowed 2 goals on 41 shots in Tuesday's 4-2 road win in Pittsburgh. He was solid in Montreal on Saturday, allowing just 3 goals on 36 shots in a 3-2 loss, but the offense was unable to give him much support. Mrazek allowed 5 goals on 42 shots in a loss in Toronto on Feb. 15 last season, facing his former team. He spent the 2021-22 season with the Maple Leafs.
Woll has posted impressive numbers in his brief career, going 9-2-0 with a 2.38 GAA and .924 SV% in 11 NHL regular-season starts. This will be his 1st appearance against the Blackhawks. He was 2-0-0 with a 1.50 GAA and .941 SV% in 2 starts against the Western Conference last season.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Blackhawks at Maple Leafs picks and predictions
Prediction
Maple Leafs 5, Blackhawks 3
Moneyline
The Maple Leafs (-350) will cost you 3 1/2 times your potential return, and that's way too much risk, and not enough reward. Toronto has been getting all kinds of offense, but the defense is a little bit of a concern. The Leafs are averaging 6.5 goals per game in the early going, while allowing 4.5 GPG. Until the Leafs get the defense and goaltending under control, they're a major risk.
AVOID.
Puck line/Against the spread
The MAPLE LEAFS -1.5 (-135) are worth playing lightly on the puck line, and Toronto covered the goal and a half last time out.
The Blackhawks +1.5 (+110) have played pretty good defense in the 3 games, allowing a total of just 7 goals. They haven't faced a high-octane offense like the Leafs, however, and Toronto knows Mrazek well from his team in T-Dot.
Over/Under
OVER 6.5 (-120) is the best play on the board in Toronto games until further notice.
Not only have the Leafs rolled up 13 total goals in 2 games, they have allowed 9 goals, too. The defense has been a train wreck, the goaltending has been shaky, but man, Toronto has been scoring so much, that "Pursuit of Happiness" by Kid Cudi is already played out as the goal song.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.