Penguins vs Maple Leafs: Preview, Odds, and Predictions for Saturday’s NHL Clash

The Pittsburgh Penguins and the Toronto Maple Leafs are set to face off in an exciting NHL matchup on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. Both teams enter the game with a 1-1-0 record, looking to gain momentum in the early stages of the 2024-25 season.

The Maple Leafs, favored at home, come into this game with strong odds, listed at -200 on the moneyline, giving them an implied probability of 66.7% to win. The Penguins, meanwhile, are underdogs with +165 odds on the road. The puck line favors the Maple Leafs at -1.5 (+125), while the Penguins are at +1.5 (-150).

In their last outing, the Penguins rebounded from a 6-0 loss to the New York Rangers by defeating the Detroit Red Wings 6-3, with Anthony Beauvillier scoring two goals and Erik Karlsson contributing a goal and an assist. Goalie Joel Blomqvist earned his first win of the season in that game.

The Maple Leafs are also looking to build on their recent performance, having secured their first win of the season with a 4-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils. Their offense, led by newly-minted captain Auston Matthews, along with Mitch Marner and Matthew Knies, is expected to be a key factor. Despite scoring only four goals in their first two games, the Leafs rank second in the NHL in expected goals per game.

From a betting perspective, analysts lean towards the Maple Leafs to win, citing their strong home record and the Penguins’ defensive vulnerabilities. The over/under is set at 6.5 goals, with a slight lean towards the under due to historical trends in the series.

The game will be broadcast on NHL Network, SportsNet Pittsburgh, and other regional channels, with live streaming options available.