Toronto vs Nashville: The Leafs may be favourites, but a Predators win would not be one of the world’s wonders

Toronto and Nashville look great lately, winning almost every game. That makes their encounter all the more interesting. Which of the teams will win? We have a few options to bet on at once.

The Maple Leafs have a great stretch. Sheldon Keefe’s team has lost only one of their last nine games, climbing already to No. 2 in the Atlantic Division table. Only Florida are higher, with Toronto just two points behind. Overall, the Leafs have ten wins in 16 games.

Toronto have made good progress, but we shouldn’t jump to conclusions just yet. How many times after making this team believe in themselves, they fail to live up to expectations. Even the most ardent Leafs’ fans find it difficult to answer, but not counting. Also, the feeling lingers that the team’s victories will be achieved largely through the individual talents of its players. In addition, they can’t avoid a collapse - 1-7 against Pittsburgh, who haven’t won in regulation time in a dozen games; 1-5 at home against the Los Angeles Kings.

In the previous game, Toronto visited Buffalo, where they won 5-4 with a huge effort. So huge that Morgan Rielly’s decisive goal came 12 seconds before the final siren.

While Toronto reached the second spot in their own eight, Nashville share second place with Winnipeg at home in the Central Division. The teams are just one point behind current top-seeded Minnesota.

John Hynes’ team is making progress, and the attitude towards them is not as critical as that towards Toronto. In contrast to the Canadian team, which has carried the title of one of the top favorites for many years now, they don’t expect anything special from Nashville. Thus, their qualification for the playoffs last season will be a success for the Predators. If they can do it again this season, they will be just as successful.

In the previous game, Nashville quietly defeated Arizona 4-1 on home ice. Before that, Nashville had a great outing, winning four games out of 6 away from home.

Bookmaker analysts consider Toronto as a clear favourite. A win for Sheldon Keefe’s team in the match is estimated at 1.50. That corresponds to a probability of around 65%. But it seems that Nashville have a much better chance of winning than 35%. John Hynes’ team has been excellent lately, beating good teams from St. Louis, Dallas, and Calgary, so why shouldn’t they pick up points in Toronto as well. At the very least, the Predators have to fight for a draw in regulation time.

We predict that Nashville will not leave Toronto without points.

• X2 for 1.90;
• Draw in regulation time for 4.30;
• Toronto to win in overtime for 10.50.