Toronto Maple Leafs vs Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Pick & Prediction 12/7/24
The Maple Leafs and Penguins are set to face off at 7:00 ET on ESPN+. The Penguins will host the game at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. The Maple Leafs are the -1.5 goal favorite in this Eastern conference matchup against Penguins. The over/under for the game is set at 6.5 goals.
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS VS PITTSBURGH PENGUINS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins +1.5
This game will be played at PPG Paints Arena at 7:00 ET on Saturday, December 7th.
WHY BET THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS:
- With a 1.5 goal advantage on the spread, our projections favor the Maple Leafs to secure a 4-3 victory.
- Take the Maple Leafs on the moneyline
- On the puck line, we like Penguins (+1.5)
Will the Maple Leafs Defense Show Up in Pittsburgh?
The Maple Leafs dropped to 16-8-2 after a 2-1 overtime loss to the Wild. Toronto was the underdog on the puck line, and the total for the game was set at 6 goals, but the teams combined for only 3.
Toronto fell behind early, giving up a goal at 9:41 in the first period. They tied it up with just 52 seconds left in the first, thanks to a power-play goal from William Nylander. The Wild scored the game-winner at 2:14 in overtime.
Toronto’s offense was held to one goal in their 2-1 overtime loss to the Wild. William Nylander netted his 9th goal of the season on a power play, with Auston Matthews picking up his 6th assist and Mitchell Marner adding his 12th. The Leafs fired 28 shots on goal but were unable to score after Nylander’s goal, which came at 19:08 in the first period.
The Leafs had 10 giveaways in the game. After a 1-1 tie in the first period, Toronto was held scoreless through the second, third, and overtime periods.
Defensively, Toronto gave up the first goal at 9:41 in the opening period and the game-winner at 2:14 in overtime. Goalie Anthony Stolarz made 31 saves with a 93.9% save percentage. The Maple Leafs’ defense also recorded 2 takeaways and 30 hits.
Will the Pittsburgh Defense Show Up at Home?
With a 3-1 win over the Canadiens, the Penguins moved to 11-13-4 this season. Pittsburgh, favored by -1.5 goals, covered the puck line. The total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined 4 goals fell short of that mark.
Sidney Crosby led the way with two goals, including one in the first period at 15:57. Blake Lizotte added an empty-netter at 19:15 in the third period to seal the victory.
Sidney Crosby led the Penguins’ offense with two goals in their 3-1 win over the Canadiens, scoring his 4th and 5th goals of the season. Blake Lizotte added his 2nd goal of the year, finding the net on his only shot, an empty-netter with 45 seconds left in the game.
The Penguins took 24 shots on goal and scored their second goal on a power play. They recorded 14 giveaways and scored once in each period, with Crosby’s first goal coming at 4:03 in the 1st period.
The Penguins’ defense will look to carry its momentum into their next game after a strong showing against the Canadiens. Alex Nedeljkovic made 25 saves with a 96.2% save percentage, while the defense added 5 takeaways and 19 hits. Pittsburgh’s only goal allowed came 5:32 into the 3rd period.