NHL Preview: Chicago Blackhawks vs. Toronto Maple Leafs – Monday, Dec. 2, 2024
The Chicago Blackhawks (8-14-2) head to Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, to take on the Toronto Maple Leafs (14-7-2) on Monday, December 2 at 7:30 PM ET. In our Chicago Blackhawks vs. Toronto Maple Leafs NHL betting preview, the Maple Leafs are puck line favorites at -1.5 (-130).
Chicago Blackhawks Betting Preview
The Blackhawks have lost their last two games and are seeking to bounce back on the road. Their most recent defeat was a 6-3 outing against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
They allowed the Blue Jackets to score multiple times in the first period and third, leaving no doubt. Connor Bedard stood out with his one goal and one assist. On the season, he leads the team with 19 points and 14 assists.
Against the Blue Jackets, they took 31 shots and allowed 36. They also had nine penalty minutes while the Blue Jackets had 27. They will need to find a way to slow down a much better offensive team like the Maple Leafs if they want a shot at winning.
The Blackhawks are producing 2.48 goals and taking 25.8 shots a game. Their defense has been giving up 2.96 goals and allowing 30.7 shots a game. This is a slightly negative spread, which will likely not suit them in this upcoming matchup.
Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Preview
The Maple Leafs got back on track after a previous loss against the Florida Panthers a few games back. Their recent win was a 5-3 performance over the Tampa Bay Lightning.
They had a 4-0 lead heading into the third period before allowing the Lightning to gather momentum. However, William Nylander was able to land their fifth and final goal late in the period to push them ahead.
Nylander leads the team in goals with 15, which ranks fourth in the league. Mitch Marner leads them with 31 points and 22 assists. Together they will have a great opportunity to push the offense against the Blackhawks.
The Maple Leafs are getting 3.04 goals and taking 29.9 shot attempts per game. On defense, they are holding teams to 2.61 goals and allowing them to generate 29.0 shots per matchup. This is a healthier looking spread in comparison to what the Blackhawks put up.
Odds, Series Trends, and Free Pick
MyBookie has the betting odds for the Chicago Blackhawks vs. Toronto Maple Leafs matchup. The odds show the Maple Leafs as 1.5-puck line favorites at home.
The Blackhawks are 4-8-2 on the road, while the Maple Leafs are 10-3-0 at home. This matchup favors the Maple Leafs to cover the spread due to their positive correlation between their goals scored and allowed, in addition to the issues that the Blackhawks are having on both ends of the ice.
Final Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs -1.5 (-130)
