Washington Capitals vs Toronto Maple Leafs Prediction: Moneyline, Props & SGP (Dec 18)
Calendar icon Published 17 Dec 20:17

Washington Capitals vs Toronto Maple Leafs Prediction: Moneyline, Props & SGP (Dec 18)

Juan Pablo Aravena Juan Pablo Aravena
Moneyline PickWashington Capitals
Player PropAlex Ovechkin over 0.5 total goals
Same Game ParlayOver 4.5 goals + Auston Matthews over 0.5 goals + Jakob Chychrun over 0.5 points
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Washington Capitals vs Toronto Maple Leafs Main Match Info

Washington Capitals vs Toronto Maple Leafs Moneyline Prediction

It’s worth noting that both the Capitals and the Maple Leafs enter this game with the same record over their last 10 games (W6, L2, OT2). However, both teams have achieved their goals in different ways. 

While the Capitals are trending in the wrong direction amid a three-game losing streak, the Maple Leafs are coming off a win against the Chicago Blackhawks and have won five of their last eight games.

From a performance perspective, it would be easy to believe the Maple Leafs should get the win here. 

However, Toronto will be playing on the road, and the team has struggled massively away from Scotiabank Arena with seven losses in 12 games (W5, L7). 

Meanwhile, the Capitals have gone W10, L5, OT2 at home, and they should be motivated to return home after a woeful road trip where they allowed 10 goals in two games. 

That recent road trip isn’t a true reflection of the kind of team the Capitals are. They are among the top-scoring units in the NHL with 106 goals, the fourth-best mark in the Eastern Conference, and their +18 goal differential is the third-best in the league.

The Capitals should rely on their impressive home record to return to winning ways here. Even though the Maple Leafs will pose a complicated challenge due to their outstanding play of late, Washington’s attack will be too much for a Toronto team that has given up 104 goals already – the sixth-worst mark in the Eastern Conference. 

Washington Capitals vs Toronto Maple Leafs Player Prop

Ovechkin is a threat to find the back of the net every time he steps on the ice, and this matchup against the Maple Leafs is a favorable one for the “Russian Rocket.” 

Toronto’s defensive woes have been well-documented, and Ovechkin is having another impressive season with 31 points in 33 games so far (14 goals, 17 assists).

The star winger hasn’t scored since delivering two goals in a win over the Sharks on Dec. 3, however, meaning he’s on a five-game scoring drought. 

That’s his longest drought of the campaign, and he’s a good bet to end it when facing a Maple Leafs defence that has been a below-average unit overall with 3.22 goals allowed per game, good for 22nd in the league.

Washington Capitals vs Toronto Maple Leafs Same Game Parlay

Our three-leg parlay is backing two of the hottest players (one for each team) to keep their productive ways going in this matchup, but it also backs the idea that this game will be high-scoring. It’s difficult to think otherwise. The Capitals are coming off a woeful two-game stretch in which they conceded 10 goals, while the Maple Leafs have been one of the worst defensive teams in the NHL throughout the season.

Players like Auston Matthews and Jakob Chychrun should take advantage of those woes. 

Matthews enters this game having scored three goals and four total points over his last five appearances, and it seems he’s about to enter one of his patented hot streaks in which he terrorizes the opposing defences. 

Matthews scored a power-play goal in Toronto’s win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday and has found the back of the net in four of his last six outings.

Chychrun, on the other hand, has been turning heads with his strong offensive play from the Capitals’ blueline. The 27-year-old has scored in two of the Capitals’ last four games and has 26 points this season.

Washington Capitals vs Toronto Maple Leafs Team News

Washington Capitals Team News

The Capitals are close to being at full strength for this matchup. The lone two absences are Ryan Leonard (shoulder), who’s expected back at some point before the end of December, and Pierre-Luc Dubois (abdomen), who’s out until March.

Toronto Maple Leafs Team News

Matias Maccelli is dealing with an illness and could be eligible to return for Thursday’s game. However, Marshall Rifai (wrist) and Chris Tanev (upper body) remain out, although both should be back in the mix before Christmas.

The list of absentees is completed by Anthony Stolarz (upper body), Brandon Carlo (foot) and Dakota Mermis (lower body).

Washington Capitals vs Toronto Maple Leafs: Where to Watch (Canada) 

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