Toronto Maple Leafs vs Washington Capitals Picks and Predictions December 28th 2024

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Washington Capitals December 28th 2024

Planning on watching today’s Capitals and Maple Leafs game? Catch the action at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON, as the Maple Leafs hosts this showdown at 7:00 ET on NHLN. The over/under for this Eastern conference contest is set at 6 goals, with the Maple Leafs being favored by -1.5 goals at home against the Capitals.

Register Here!

Washington vs. Toronto Key Information

• Teams: Capitals at Maple Leafs
• Where: Scotiabank Arena Toronto
• Date: Saturday, December 28th
• Betting Odds TOR -118 | WAS -102 O/U 6

The Capitals Can Win If…

Washington’s record fell to 23-9-2 after a 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes. The Capitals held a 2-1 lead after the first period, but Carolina scored three unanswered goals to secure the win.

The total for the game was set at 6 goals, and the combined score landed exactly on that number. Washington, as the underdog on the puck line, failed to cover. Both of the Capitals’ goals came in the first period.

Washington’s offense was held to just two goals in their 4-2 loss to Carolina. Alex Ovechkin netted his 7th goal of the season on a power play, while Brandon Duhaime added his 2nd goal. The Capitals took 21 shots on goal and recorded 15 giveaways.

Both of Washington’s goals came in the first period, with Ovechkin scoring at 19:16 and Duhaime following at 19:49. John Carlson picked up his 7th assist on Ovechkin’s goal, and Dylan Strome earned his 13th assist.

The Capitals’ defense gave up the first goal at 5:59 in the first period and then three more after taking a 2-1 lead, including an empty-netter with 9 seconds left in the third. Charlie Lindgren made 41 saves with a 93.2% save percentage, but Washington’s defense faced 44 shots and had just 2 takeaways.

• Spanning across their last three games, Washington have gone 2-1. Against the spread, the team is 2-1 in these same games while going 0-3 on the over/under.
• Across Washington’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 6-4. Their record vs the puck line sits at 5-5 in these matchups, while posting a 0-8-2 over-under mark.

The Maple Leafs Can Win If…

After a 2-1 overtime loss to the Wild, the Maple Leafs are now 22-12-2. Toronto was the underdog on the puck line, and the total for the game was set at 6 goals, but both teams combined for just 3.

Ryan Hartman put the Wild ahead at 10:19 in the first period, but William Nylander tied it with a goal at 19:08. Matt Boldy scored the game-winner for Minnesota at 2:14 in overtime.

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

Despite taking 28 shots on goal, the Leafs only managed to score once. They had 10 giveaways in the game.

Defensively, the Maple Leafs will look to bounce back after allowing the game-winning goal to Minnesota just 2:14 into overtime. They also gave up the first goal of the game at the 9:41 mark of the first period. Anthony Stolarz made 31 saves with a 93.9% save percentage, while the defense added 30 hits and 2 takeaways.

• Across Toronto’s last three regular season games, their record sits at 1-2. In these matchups, they ended with an puck line record of 1-2 and an over-under mark of 3-0.
• Across Toronto’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 6-4. Across these games, their puck line record was just 5-5, while posting an over-under record of 7-2-1.

The Lean

For a moneyline bet, I’m backing the Maple Leafs to secure a victory over the Capitals at home. With the moneyline currently set at -118, I’m locking in my bet on the Maple Leafs straight-up.

For a puck line prediction, our preference is the Maple Leafs to secure a win and cover. Anticipate the Maple Leafs to win this one by multiple goals over the Capitals.

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.

Daily NHL Picks & Predictions from The Best Expert Hockey Handicappers

Alex Ovechkin’s Possible Return Adds Excitement as Capitals Visit Maple Leafs

Washington Capitals’ star Alex Ovechkin may return to action on Saturday night, while the Toronto Maple Leafs continue to adjust without Auston Matthews. Here’s what you need to know ahead of this crucial NHL showdown.

Ovechkin Nearing a Comeback

Alex Ovechkin, sidelined since November 18 due to a fractured left fibula, is trending towards a potential return. Following a full practice session on Friday, Capitals coach Spencer Carbery expressed optimism but stopped short of confirming Ovechkin’s place in the lineup.

“We’ll see,” Carbery said. “Things are moving in the right direction. It depends on how he responds to practice, and we’ll know more Saturday morning.”

If Ovechkin plays, he is expected to be fully available without restrictions. Carbery noted that while the injury is completely healed, managing Ovechkin’s fatigue will be critical as he reacclimates to game intensity.

Ovechkin has been prolific this season, with 15 goals and 10 assists in 18 games. As the NHL’s second all-time leading scorer with 868 career goals, he remains 27 short of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record of 894—a milestone that looms large over his storied career.

Matthews Remains Sidelined

For the Maple Leafs, Auston Matthews is likely to miss his fourth consecutive game due to an upper-body injury. Toronto coach Craig Berube confirmed Matthews’ improving condition but ruled him out for Saturday.

“He’s doing better, which is good,” Berube said. “But I can’t give you much more than that. We’ll update you again on Saturday.”

Matthews, who has already missed nine games earlier this season with a similar injury, has been a key offensive driver for Toronto. With 11 goals and 12 assists in 24 games, his absence is a challenge the team has learned to navigate, maintaining an 8-4-0 record without him.

Season Series Highlights

Toronto and Washington have split their season series so far, with the road team winning both encounters:

• Nov. 13: Capitals lost 4-3 in overtime at home. Ovechkin recorded an assist, while Matthews did not play.
• Dec. 6: Capitals won 3-1 in Toronto without Ovechkin. Matthews was held scoreless.

This rubber match comes with significant implications for both teams as they aim to solidify their standings in a competitive season.

Team Performances in Context

Washington Capitals:
Without Ovechkin, Washington has exceeded expectations with a 10-5-1 record. Their depth and adaptability have been key factors, but the potential return of their captain provides a timely boost as the team looks to “hit the ground running,” according to Carbery.

Toronto Maple Leafs:
Toronto broke a two-game losing streak with a decisive 5-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Friday. Contributions from depth players like Mitch Marner and David Kampf have been instrumental in compensating for Matthews’ absence.

• Mitch Marner recorded a natural hat trick—the third of his career—against Detroit.
• David Kampf celebrated his 500th NHL game by scoring his first goal of the season.

Key Milestones and Achievements

• Ovechkin’s Historic Pursuit: His 868 career goals place him just 27 shy of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL record of 894.
• Toronto’s Rare Feat: With Marner and John Tavares each achieving natural hat tricks this season, the Maple Leafs have recorded two such feats in a single season for the first time since 1975-76.

What to Expect on Game Night

The Capitals’ offensive firepower will hinge on Ovechkin’s availability and form, while Toronto’s balanced attack aims to continue thriving without Matthews. Both teams have proven their resilience amid injuries, making this a compelling matchup with playoff implications.

• Washington’s Focus: Managing Ovechkin’s return and maintaining their strong record without him.
• Toronto’s Strategy: Relying on secondary scoring and defensive stability to counteract Washington’s potent offense.

Conclusion

Saturday night’s Capitals vs. Maple Leafs clash is a tale of two teams adapting to high-stakes challenges. Washington looks to reintegrate its captain and sustain its momentum, while Toronto seeks to build on a crucial win in Detroit. With playoff aspirations driving both squads, this game promises an engaging and hard-fought battle.