Toronto Maple Leafs Favored to Break Recent Trend Against Detroit Red Wings

The Toronto Maple Leafs are set to face off against the Detroit Red Wings in an Atlantic Division clash at Scotiabank Arena on November 8, 2024. Despite the Red Wings’ recent success against the Leafs, winning four of their last five meetings, the Maple Leafs are favored to win this matchup.

The Maple Leafs come into this game on the back of a strong performance, having secured a 4-0 win over the Boston Bruins in their last outing. This victory was significant, as it marked the first time the Leafs had beaten the Bruins in seven regular-season games. Morgan Rielly played a crucial role in this win, contributing three points, and is expected to be a key player again.

Toronto’s power play has also shown signs of improvement, breaking out of an 0-for-20 skid in recent games. William Nylander has been instrumental in this turnaround, scoring power-play goals in back-to-back games and factoring into five of the team’s seven converted power-play opportunities. With Auston Matthews likely to miss the game, Nylander is expected to be the primary offensive threat on the power play.

The Detroit Red Wings, meanwhile, have been on a winning streak, recently defeating the Buffalo Sabres and Chicago Blackhawks. However, their defensive performance has been a concern, particularly on the penalty kill, which has only managed to kill off 69.4% of their penalties, ranking 29th in the NHL. This vulnerability could be exploited by the Leafs’ potent power play.

Betting odds favor the Maple Leafs, with a moneyline of -190 and a puck line of -1.5 at +140. The over/under for total goals is set at 6, with the over available at -115 and the under at -105.

Player props also highlight key contributors, such as Alex DeBrincat of the Red Wings, who has scored a point in three straight games and in five of his last six. DeBrincat’s performance alongside Dylan Larkin could pose a challenge for the Leafs’ defense.

Despite the historical trends favoring the Red Wings in recent meetings, the current form and statistical analysis suggest the Maple Leafs are well-positioned to secure a win at home.