Wild vs Maple Leafs

Grade B: Leafs Moneyline (-169)

Home Ice, bold moves, and one clear edge in the showdown

Mitch Marner is set to lead the Leafs at home tonight, determined to find some footing for Toronto at the mid point of the season, while the Wild enters with a less than stellar recent record, losing 6 of their last 10. The Leafs remain cautious with a banged-up centers, but an in-form blueliner returns in time to help contain Kirill Kaprizov, whose past success against Toronto looms large. With both squads well past the halfway mark, each point gained could tip the playoff scales. Despite Minnesota’s momentum, we’re rolling with the Maple Leafs on the ML at -169, considering their strong home ice advantage.

Grade B+: Leafs Puckline (+156)

A single goal might tip the entire night.

Matthews and Marner will look to spark the Leafs' offense on home ice, especially coming off 2 bad losses. While the Wild ride into Toronto off of a 4-2 win against the Blackhawks, and hope to build some momentum to solidify a playoff spot. With a valuable Toronto centers side lined, the Maple Leafs hope newly activated blue-line talent can help contain Kirill Kaprizov, who routinely shines against them. Having past the mid point of the season, both teams are setting their sights on the playoffs.

Grade A-: Over 5.5 Goals

Two potent attacks poised to ignite the lamp early.

Kirill Kaprizov, the talisman for the “State of Hockey,” barrels into town after a win against the Blackhawks, targeting a Maple Leafs squad in a bit of a skid, but still faces questions due to a banged-up winger. With both clubs vying to cement playoff positioning well past the midseason mark, Mitch Marner’s stellar record against Minnesota looms large, especially if Toronto’s top pairing remains intact after returning from injury. Despite the Wild’s surging confidence, look for enough offense on both ends to drive the total higher than the 5.5 O/U line.

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