The Toronto Maple Leafs will be looking to end a two-game slide when they head outdoors on Saturday night to face the Washington Capitals as small +100 road underdogs on the NHL odds at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.
Toronto opened its current four-game road trip with losses in Tampa Bay and Florida, but is unbeaten in two previous outdoor contests going in Saturday’s Stadium Series betting matchup with the Capitals at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland.
The Maple Leafs rallied to force extra time in both of their recent defeats, capped by Tuesday’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Panthers as +119 underdogs, and are now winless in four of their past five on the road. However, Toronto has collected at least a point in six straight, and 21 of 25 overall, and is 3-2-2 in its past seven as a betting underdog.
Saturday’s contest marks the third meeting of the season between these two clubs, renewing the rivalry built last spring during the Capitals’ hard-fought opening-round playoff victory over Toronto. Washington overcame an early-series deficit to eliminate the Maple Leafs in six games, each decided by a single goal, and has posted wins in 16 of 20 meetings overall.
Road teams prevailed in two previous tilts this season. The Maple Leafs’ 2-0 win in Washington as +111 underdogs on October 17 was their second in three visits. The Capitals rebounded to post a 4-2 win at Air Canada Centre on Nov. 25, paying out on +114 odds.
Like Toronto, the Capitals have enjoyed success in previous outdoor affairs, picking up wins in New Year’s Day matchups in 2011 and 2015. However, preparations for Saturday’s game have been impacted by unstable weather. High winds forced the teams to take practices indoors earlier this week, and wind gusts of up to 40km per hour are forecast for game time.
Earlier in the day, Original Six rivals clash as the Montreal Canadiens visit the Boston Bruins as +190 underdogs, while Saturday night’s late game features the Edmonton Oilers taking on the New York Rangers as heavy -190 favourites.
The Canadiens have dropped four straight to Boston, which has posted victories in 12 of its past 15 home dates. In addition, Thursday’s 8-4 win over the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins as a -120 wager marks the Bruins’ best offensive performance since handing Toronto an 8-0 loss in March 2012.
The Oilers have dropped two straight, to Nashville and San Jose, and have surrendered 125 shots and 14 goals over their past three outings, extending the OVER’s run to 3-0-1 for totals bettors in their contests.
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