The Washington Capitals (26-19-6) and Toronto Maple Leafs (30-12-8) meet Sunday at Scotiabank Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET (NHL Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Capitals vs. Maple Leafs odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Capitals cashed as -124 home favorites Thursday with a 3-2 shootout win vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins. LW Alex Ovechkin and LW Marcus Johansson both scored in regulation for the Capitals, who are just 4-6-0 in their last 10 games. The Capitals are 0-6 in their last 6 games following a win in their previous contest.
The Maple Leafs lost as -196 home favorites Friday as the Ottawa Senators routed Toronto 6-2. RW Joey Anderson and RW William Nylander were the only goal scorers for the Maple Leafs in Toronto’s 1st loss at home since dropping a 5-1 decision to the Seattle Kraken as -230 favorites on Jan. 5. The Maple Leafs are 4-1 in their last 5 games following a loss by 3 or more goals in their previous contest.
This is the 3rd meeting this season between these teams. The Maple Leafs won the 1st meeting 3-2 as -209 home favorites on Oct. 13 and the Capitals won the most recent meeting 5-2 as +126 home underdogs on Dec. 17.
Capitals at Maple Leafs odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub Lines last updated at 1:16 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Capitals +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Maple Leafs -145 (bet $145 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Capitals +1.5 (-210) | Maple Leafs -1.5 (+170)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +105 | U: -125)
Capitals at Maple Leafs projected goalies
Darcy Kuemper (15-13-4, 2.54 GAA, .917 SV%, 5 SO) vs Ilya Samsonov (16-5-2, 2.37 GAA, .916 SV%, 2 SO)
Kuemper faced the Maple Leafs once last season as a member of the Colorado Avalanche, allowing 3 goals on 8 shots before getting pulled in the 1st period. In 18 road starts this season, Kuemper is 7-8-2 and has allowed 41 goals on 516 shots, good for a 2.50 GAA and .921 SV%.
Samsonov has faced the Capitals twice this season and is 1-1-0, allowing 7 goals on 54 shots, good for a 3.50 GAA and .870 SV%. In 16 games at home (15 starts), Samsonov is 14-1-1 and has allowed 30 goals on 421 shots, good for a 1.95 GAA and .929 SV%.
Capitals at Maple Leafs picks and predictions
Prediction
Maple Leafs 4, Capitals 3
Moneyline
BET MAPLE LEAFS (-145).
Toronto is 4-1 vs. Washington in the last 5 meetings and should be extra motivated to bounce back after getting blown out by its provincial rival. The Capitals have not strung together back-to-back wins since Dec. 27 and should struggle to contain the league’s 8th-best offense (3.36 goals per game) coming off a bad loss.
Puck line/Against the spread
PASS.
The Capitals should be able to keep it close, but Washington +1.5 (-210) is a little overpriced. Bet the moneyline or total instead.
Over/Under
BET OVER 6.5 (+105).
The Over is 6-1-1 in Washington’s last 8 games when its opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous contest and 4-1 in Toronto’s last 5 vs. the Metropolitan Division. These teams play high-scoring games vs. each other, with the Over hitting in 5 of the last 7 meetings, and Sunday’s matchup should be another offensive showcase.
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