Toronto Maple Leafs vs Detroit Red Wings Picks and Predictions November 8th 2024

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Detroit Red Wings November 8th 2024

Making on a bet on this NHL game featuring the Red Wings versus the Maple Leafs? The puck drops at 7:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on ESPN+. The game will be played at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON. The over/under for this Atlantic division contest is set at 6 goals, with the Maple Leafs being favored by -1.5 at home against the Red Wings.

Detroit vs. Toronto Key Information

With a 2-1 win over the Sabres, the Red Wings moved to 6-5-1 on the season. Detroit trailed early, giving up a goal in the first period, but Dylan Larkin responded with two power-play goals in the second to secure the victory.

The Red Wings were favored on the puck line, but failed to cover. The total for the game was set at 6.5 goals, but the teams combined for just 3, keeping it well under the line.

Detroit’s offense was held scoreless in the first period before Dylan Larkin netted his 6th and 7th goals of the season, both on power plays in the second period. Larkin took 4 shots on goal, and his first goal came 7:49 into the second period.

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The Red Wings took 23 shots on goal but had 15 giveaways. Alex DeBrincat picked up his 4th assist, while Lucas Raymond added his 10th. Patrick Kane also contributed with his 6th assist of the season.

Detroit’s defense gave up the first goal at 11:39 in the first period, but they settled in after that, not allowing another goal. Cam Talbot had a strong performance, making 31 saves with a 96.9% save percentage. The Red Wings’ defense also contributed 4 takeaways, 11 hits, and 16 blocks.

Toronto fell to 7-5-2 after a 2-1 overtime loss to the Wild. The Maple Leafs were underdogs on the puck line, and the total was set at 6 goals, but the game’s 3 total goals fell short of that mark.

After the Wild scored first, William Nylander tied it up with a goal at 19:08 in the first period. The game remained scoreless until the Wild found the net again at 2:14 in overtime.

William Nylander netted his 9th goal of the season on a power play, scoring at 19:08 in the first period. Auston Matthews picked up his 6th assist, while Mitchell Marner added his 12th.

Toronto fired 28 shots on goal but struggled with giveaways, tallying 10 in the game.

Toronto’s defense gave up the first goal at 9:41 in the first period and another 2:14 into overtime, leading to a 2-1 loss to the Wild. Anthony Stolarz recorded 31 saves with a 93.9% save percentage, while the defense added 2 takeaways and 30 hits.

When it comes to a straight moneyline bet, look no further than the Maple Leafs. Nevertheless, given the payout of -185, you could also think about incorporating this bet into a parlay.

If you’re looking for my recommendation on the puck line, I suggest taking the Red Wings to cover. Even if the Maple Leafs manage to win outright, this game is expected to remain competitive, and the Red Wings should cover the puck line.

When considering the over/under line, which is currently at 6 goals, we believe that this game will go over that threshold, and we recommend wagering on the over.

Leafs Look to Continue Power Play Momentum Against Red Wings

The Toronto Maple Leafs, fresh off a resounding 4-0 victory over the Boston Bruins, are set to host the Detroit Red Wings on Friday night. This game marks an opportunity for the Leafs to showcase their recently revived power play, which had struggled early in the season but found its groove in Tuesday’s win.

Toronto’s Power Play Sparks to Life

Toronto’s power play unit was instrumental in their win over the Bruins, netting three goals with the man advantage. Prior to that game, the Leafs had converted just 4 of their 40 power-play opportunities. The boost brought their power play success rate to 14.9 percent (7-for-47).

Defenseman Morgan Rielly, who played a key role with a goal and two assists on Tuesday, credited the team’s patience and persistence.

“I don’t think we are going to get carried away thinking we got anything solved,” Rielly said. “It was just a matter of time. We wanted to shoot more pucks, get more traffic, and I thought we did those things.”

The Maple Leafs also excelled defensively, shutting down all six of Boston’s power-play attempts. Anthony Stolarz was stellar in goal, making 29 saves to secure his first shutout of the season.

“Probably our most complete game of the year,” Stolarz noted. “Boston is a very good team. We matched their intensity and physicality.”

Auston Matthews’ Status Uncertain

The Leafs may have to face the Red Wings without their star forward Auston Matthews, who missed Tuesday’s game due to an upper-body injury. Matthews, who led the NHL with 69 goals last season, did not participate in Thursday’s practice. Coach Craig Berube described Matthews as day-to-day, with his availability for Friday still up in the air.

“That’s to be determined, still. It’s hard for me to answer that,” Berube said when asked about Matthews’ potential return.

Toronto has shown resilience in the past when Matthews is sidelined, holding a 36-19-2 record without him.

Red Wings Seek to Build Momentum

The Detroit Red Wings come into Friday’s matchup riding a two-game winning streak, including a solid 4-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday. Dylan Larkin and Alex DeBrincat led the way, each contributing a goal and an assist. Cam Talbot was impressive in net, stopping 28 shots to secure the win.

Coach Derek Lalonde praised his captain, Larkin, for his leadership and performance:

“When we have quality wins like this — a 2-1, a 4-1 — it’s usually driven by Dylan,” Lalonde said. “And that line (Larkin, DeBrincat, and Patrick Kane) had some pop tonight.”

Larkin has been on a tear, tallying four goals and an assist over his past three games. His chemistry with DeBrincat and Kane has been evident, with the trio consistently generating offensive chances.

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“You just try, when that’s happening, to just keep doing the right things,” Larkin commented on his recent form. “Playing with good players like Alex and Kaner makes it easy. It’s just going in right now, so I’m just trying to keep shooting.”

The Red Wings are aiming for their second three-game winning streak of the season as they look to build on a solid 6-5-1 start.

Outlook: A Battle of Special Teams and Momentum

Friday’s clash will be the first of four meetings between the Maple Leafs and Red Wings this season. Toronto will be eager to build on the momentum of their improved power play, while Detroit hopes to extend their win streak with strong performances from their top line.

With both teams finding their stride, fans can expect an intense matchup. The Leafs’ focus will be on maintaining their special teams’ success, especially if Matthews remains sidelined. For the Red Wings, the key will be continuing their solid all-around play and getting contributions from their star players.

As both teams aim to solidify their early-season positioning, this game could set the tone for their upcoming matchups throughout the season.