Face-off: 1900 ET, 24/04/2022
Arena: Capital One Arena
Washington and Toronto have produced a couple of entertaining encounters when previously going head-to-head this season.
The Maple Leafs prevailed 5-3 at this venue towards the end of February and 7-3 in Canada earlier this month, so goals are expected again at Capital One Arena.
We reckon 2.05 for both teams to score three or more is a solid bet for our Washington Capitals vs Toronto Maple Leafs predictions.
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Washington Capitals Odds
Washington are assured of at least a wild card spot and could still make the top three in the Metropolitan Division.
A 7-1-1 hot streak has put the Capitals just two points behind Pittsburgh in the table, plus they have played one game less.
Peter Laviolette’s team began a five-match road trip with defeat in Toronto but eventually returned home with a healthy haul of seven points.
Friday’s 2-0 triumph at Arizona was an unusually tight tussle, with the previous four fixtures producing 33 goals.
Conor Sheary said: “It’s just one of those games at the end of the trip where you just want to come away with two points – and we were able to do that.
“We had opportunities on the power play to get a couple more and it didn’t work. But overall, just limiting their chances offensively is what won us the game.”
Normal service is expected to be resumed with lots of end-to-end action tonight, but the hunger and desire for points will stay the same.
Looking at the NHL odds, we feel 4.33 for overtime to be needed is a fair price.
Toronto Maple Leafs Odds
Toronto put an 8-1 blip at Tampa Bay behind them when picking up a point at high-flying Florida last night.
The Maple Leafs led 2-0 after first-period goals from Mitch Marner and Justin Holl but the Panthers rallied to win 3-2 in overtime.
At least Auston Matthews, who leads the NHL with 58 goals, was able to return, registering seven shots in 21:40 on the ice after three games out.
“It didn’t go too bad,” Matthews said. “We created a lot of chances, but the bounces didn’t go our way.
“I thought we did a lot of good things. Definitely would have liked to see us get that extra point.”
Tampa Bay are not too far behind, but Toronto should be able to hold onto second place in the Atlantic Division after previously going 11-1-1.
The Maple Leafs have just had the edge over Washington this season and 12.5 for them to shade this 4-3 is added to our NHL predictions.
Additional stats
Last result:
Arizona 0-2 WASHINGTON
Florida 3-2 TORONTO (OT)
Season head-to-head: Toronto 7-3 Washington, Washington 3-5 Toronto
