New York Islanders vs Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Pick & Prediction 12/31/24
Betting on today’s Islanders and Maple Leafs game? Catch the action at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON, as the Maple Leafs hosts this showdown at 1:00 ET on ESPN+. This Eastern conference matchup has an over/under of 6 goals, and the Maple Leafs are favored by -1.5 goals vs. the Islanders.
NEW YORK ISLANDERS VS TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs -1.5
This game will be played at Scotiabank Arena at 1:00 ET on Tuesday, December 31st.
WHY BET THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS:
- Our prediction for this game is that the Maple Leafs will come out on top with a projected score of 4-2.
- Take the Maple Leafs on the moneyline
- The Maple Leafs should also cover at -1.5
Will New York Win on the Road?
The Islanders fell to 14-16-7 with a 5-2 road loss to the Rangers. As underdogs on the puck line, the Islanders failed to cover, and the total of 7 goals surpassed the pre-game line of 6.
After falling behind 2-0, Casey Cizikas put the Islanders on the board with a goal at 15:22 in the second period. The Rangers responded, extending their lead to 3-1, but Brock Nelson scored for the Islanders with just 8 seconds left in the second period. The Rangers added two more goals in the third, including an empty-netter, to seal the win.
The Islanders managed 37 shots on goal but only found the net twice in their 5-2 loss to the Rangers. Casey Cizikas scored his first goal of the season, while Brock Nelson added his fifth, with Nelson’s goal coming just 8 seconds before the second period ended.
New York recorded 23 giveaways and didn’t score in the first or third periods. Pierre Engvall, Simon Holmstrom, Kyle Palmieri, and Anders Lee each contributed an assist.
The Islanders’ defense allowed the first goal just 3:44 into the game and conceded two more in the third period, including an empty-netter, leading to a 5-2 loss. Ilya Sorokin made 35 saves with an 89.7% save percentage, while the defense recorded 12 takeaways and 17 hits.
Will the Maple Leafs Find a Way to Win at Home?
Toronto’s latest game was a 2-1 overtime loss to the Wild, bringing their record to 22-13-2. The Maple Leafs were underdogs on the puck line and the total was set at 6 goals, but the combined score of 3 fell short of that mark.
After the Wild scored first, Toronto tied it up with 0:52 left in the first period. Neither team scored again until Minnesota found the net at 2:14 into overtime.
William Nylander netted his 9th goal of the season, scoring on a power play at 19:08 in the first period. Auston Matthews earned his 6th assist, while Mitchell Marner added his 12th.
Toronto fired 28 shots on goal but was held scoreless after the first period. The Maple Leafs had 10 giveaways in the game.
Toronto’s defense allowed the first goal at 9:41 in the first period, followed by the game-winner at 2:14 in overtime. Anthony Stolarz made 31 saves with a 93.9% save percentage, while the defense added 30 hits and 2 takeaways.