Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are scheduled then offers insight and analysis to help predict who will be victorious in head-to-head matchups. Today we are looking at the game between the Toronto Maple Leafs vs San Jose Sharks. Be sure to check out more NHL Predictions as the 2024-25 season continues.
NHL Predictions
Toronto Maple Leafs vs San Jose Sharks
Head-to-Head: Maple Leafs 0-1 Sharks
Time: 10:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: SNO, NBCSCA+; ESPN+
Tonight the Maple Leafs (43-25–3) are off to the West Coast to face the Sharks (19–42-9). The Sharks got the better of the Maple Leafs 3-2 in a shootout at the start of March after coming back from a 2-0 third period deficit. Toronto won both meetings last season, will San Jose return the favour tonight?
Toronto Off to California
After beating up on the Philadelphia Flyers 7-2 on Tuesday the Maple Leafs begin a three-game California road trip. First stop, San Jose where they will look to avenge there loss against them earlier this season. That loss was one of a few blown leads to inferior opponents this month for Toronto. They also let leads slip against the Utah Hockey Club and Nashville Predators. If the Leafs get a lead tonight keeping it will be important to monitor.
William Nylander continuing his scoring pace could go a long way in securing a victory tonight. He scored his 40th goal of the season against the Flyers. That is now three straight season of 40 for the man known as Willy Styles. Now he will hope to avoid the cold streak that plagued him in the last 11 games of last season. He will look to continue supplying offence on his red hot second line and top power play unit.
Sharks Seeking to Sweep Season Series
Officially eliminated from the playoffs the Sharks rebuilding season continues. Their victory in Toronto was only one of four wins that they have collected this month. Of course whenever these teams play it brings up fond memories of two very popular players who played in both cities. Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau. Once mentors for the Leafs star players, now they are billeting the Sharks promising young duo of Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith.
With his performance so far this season Celebrini is one of the Calder Trophy favourites. He is tied for the Sharks point lead with another young up and coming forward William Eklund. These three players along with others on the way offer great hope for Sharks fans. Tonight they will need to focus on the penalty kill as both Maple Leaf goals were scored on the power play in the first meeting. Another solid start from projected starter Alexandar Georgiev who stopped 25/27 shots in Toronto would help too.
Prediction
This Sharks team has many similarities to where the Leafs were early in the “Core 4” days. They are loaded with potential but still need to add more pieces to be a consistent playoff contender. That didn’t stop them from giving Toronto trouble in their first game. The special teams battle will be a key part of the equation. As good as the Maple Leafs power play has been in March the penalty kill has been equally as bad. The Sharks need to find a way to be better than they were in Toronto in both categories themselves. At 5-on-5 the Leafs should have the advantage. Will the be able to assert their dominance the same way they did against the Flyers?
Prediction: Maple Leafs win 3-1.
Prop Bets of The Night
For the Maple Leafs, John Tavares has found the back of the net in three straight games. He is +175 as an anytime goal scorer tonight. For San Jose, Tyler Toffoli leads the Sharks in goals with 25. He is +210 to score tonight. Toronto -1.5 has odds of -105.
Main photo by: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions: Mar.27 Toronto Maple Leafs vs San Jose Sharks appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.