Washington vs Toronto: the Maple Leafs to Outplay an Uncomfortable Rival

Toronto has failed to beat Washington in three straight head-to-head games. Will Sheldon Keefe's team end such a bad streak now? Check the teams’ conditions and expert betting tips. Several betting options are available!

Washington has had a very mediocre regular season. We are all used to the fact that the Capitals are consistently in the group of NHL leaders, but now they have slipped to the "average performer" status. In the beginning, Peter Laviolette's team showed good playing, but in the last 21 games, they gained only eight victories and suffered 13 setbacks. Currently, the Red and Blue are in a bad mood, as in the two previous games, they fell to the Rangers and Philadelphia - 1:4 and 1:2. So they have already dropped to the eighth line in the Eastern Conference standings.

Toronto is looking much better in terms of results and spectacle. Indeed, Sheldon Keefe's team occasionally suffers a slight slump. It happened in February when they lost to St. Louis, Montreal and Columbus with a total score of 8:15, but they quickly overcame this crisis and started a new victorious streak. In their last two games, the Maple Leafs first went 3:1 against Minnesota. Then made a regular-time show in league with Detroit, 10:7, as their offensive trio combined for 15 points. Toronto occupies the fifth position in the Eastern Conference standings, only six points behind the leader.

Washington and Toronto are not too far apart in the Eastern Conference standings, but they are very different. While the Capitals have been in serious trouble and lost two past meetings, the Maple Leafs have been excellent the past two games. Peter Laviolette's squad has won their last three ties, but now their opponent has a great chance to end the losing streak. We can bet on Toronto to win the game.

Washington and Toronto are used to playing fun and offensive hockey. Their stats for the regular season prove it: the Capitals have already scored 324 goals (6.00 goals per game average) in 54 games, and the Maple Leafs have managed 341 goals (6.56 average) in 52 games. We can expect a bright and spectacular battle with plenty of scoring chances, and the optimal option is a total over (6).

The upcoming game is a confrontation between Washington and Toronto and the rivalry between Alexander Ovechkin and Auston Matthews. American Hockey is in much better shape these days, with three straight games in goal and a total of 9 points (4 goals + 5 assists). The Maple Leafs forward is already ahead in the sniper race on the season with 37 pucks versus 32 goals. It is worth taking a bet on a total over (0.5) by Auston Matthews in such a situation.