Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are scheduled then offers insight and analysis to help predict who will be victorious in head-to-head matchups. Today we are looking at the game between the Washington Capitals vs. Toronto Maple Leafs. Be sure to check out more NHL Predictions as the 2024-25 season continues.
NHL Predictions
Washington Capitals vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Head-to-Head: Capitals 0-1 Maple Leafs
Time: 7:00 p.m Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: TSN4, MNMT, TVAS
This is the second of three meetings between the Washington Capitals (17-6-2) and the Toronto Maple Leafs (16-7–2). Toronto won the first meeting in Washington 4-3 in overtime back in November. The season series will conclude with two games in December, both in Toronto. Each team has been strong in their last ten games with the Capitals going 7-2-1 and the Maple Leafs going 8-2-0. Who will continue their winning ways tonight?
Capitals Continue to Surprise
Battling for the top of the Metropolitan Division the Capitals might be the biggest surprise of the NHL season so far. One of the main reasons for their strong start has been their offence. Washington is amongst the league leaders in goals for with 102. The two offensive catalyst have been Alex Ovechkin and Dylan Strome. Strome is having a career year registering 26 assists and leading the team with 34 points. Ovechkin is currently injured but he had scored 15 goals in 18 games before missing the last seven. While he is skating again he won’t play tonight against a team he has had plenty of success against.
Not to be outdone the Capitals southpaw goaltending tandem has been thriving. Led by Logan Thompson, who it could be argued was snubbed from the Four Nations Faceoff team, the Capitals are only allowing 2.84 GA/GP. Along with their offence this has been a tough combination for any team to beat. Washington hasn’t played since Tuesday against the San Jose Sharks so they should be well rested. With a back-to-back against Toronto and the Montreal Canadiens look for Thompson to face the Leafs tonight.
Maple Leafs Keep Winning
Riding a three game win streak, and winners of eight of their last ten games including against the Capitals it seems like the Maple Leafs are once again a regular season juggernaut. With all their superstars back in the lineup they seem to be as formidable as any team. They have been led by an extremely hot Mitch Marner. Since the start of November he is averaging 1.71 points/game in 14 games. His two-way game seems to have made him a favourite with Coach Craig Berube as he also leads the team in ice time/game.
While the Maple Leafs top players attract all the attention the penalty kill deserves some credit too. The penalty kill is currently operating at 82.8%, sitting in the top-10 in the NHL. This is the best penalty kill they have had in years, and it will be an important part of postseason success if it can continue. Marner has been a big part of that units ability to kill but, the goaltending tandem deserves plenty of credit as well. They continue to be the best tandem statistically in the NHL. Toronto is also on the front end of a back-to-back before playing the Pittsburgh Penguins Saturday so look for the goalie rotation to continue.
Prediction
This games pits one of the top offensive teams against one of the best defensive teams in the NHL. Both teams have top-10 penalty kills so if one team can score a power play goal that could be the difference. While the Capitals have gone 4-2-1 without Ovechkin missing him against fellow Rocket Richard Trophy winner Auston Matthews could hurt Washington’s chances. The Maple Leafs have more game breakers so in a game with good goaltending and strong defence those game breakers could very well give Toronto the advantage.
Prediction: Maple Leafs win 3-1
Prop Bets of The Night
Lets create a same game parlay for this game tonight. Toronto to win on the moneyline, under 6.5 total goals, and Auston Matthews as an anytime goal scorer has odds of +465 on FanDuel Sportsbook.
Main photo by: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Please play responsibly, check for your local rules and age restrictions, some jurisdictions require ages 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
The post NHL Predictions: Dec.6 Washington Capitals vs. Toronto Maple Leafs appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.