The Tampa Bay Lightning head up north to the Air Canada Centre in Toronto where they take on the Maple Leafs. The Lightning have struggled against the Leafs over the past few seasons winning just 4 of the last 11 meetings overall and 7 of the last 20 in Toronto.
Head to Head Trends
Lightning are 8-20-1 in the last 29 meetings in Toronto.
Home team is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings.
Toronto Maple Leafs (+100)
The Toronto Maple Leafs are 6th in the Atlantic Division 9 points back of the 1st place Montreal Canadians. The Maple Leafs had a bit of a rough start to the season losing 4 of their first 6 games but then they went on a stretch where they won 7 of 10 and Leafs fans got all excited thinking they finally had a team that might make the playoffs. Well that didn’t last as they have lost their last 3 games which included a 6-2 loss against the Sabres who are worst team in the league and a 9-2 spanking from the Nashville Predators. I hate to break it to Leafs fans but the Leafs are not a very good team in general and I have my doubts if they will make the playoffs come spring. The Leafs have a good offense averaging 3.1 goals per game but their defense is not very good allowing 3.2 goals per game.
Toronto Maple Leafs Trends
Maple Leafs are 4-13 in their last 17 vs. Atlantic.
Maple Leafs are 2-5 in their last 7 games playing on 1 days rest.
Tampa Bay Lightning (-120)
The Tampa Bay Lightning are 2nd in the Atlantic Division just 1 point back of the Montreal Canadians. The Lightning have the second highest scoring offense in the league averaging 3.7 goals per game and they have a decent defense allowing 2.7 goals per game. Away from home the Lightning are 6-4 and their offense drops down to just 3.3 goals per game and their defense also takes a bit of a hit with 3.0 goals per game which are all still pretty good numbers especially on the road it’s just that they are not as dominant as their home numbers.
Tampa Bay Lightning Trends
Lightning are 8-3 in their last 11 overall.
Lightning are 8-3 in their last 11 vs. a team with a losing record.
Conclusion
I like the Tampa Bay Lightning over the Maple Leafs in this one. The Lightning are obviously the better team and I think a lot of people are looking for the Leafs to have a big bounce back game and I think that’s why we’re getting the Lightning at such low odds but I still see this as getting one of the best teams in the league at just -120 so I’ll bet em every time.
Free Pick: Tampa Bay Lightning -120
