Blackhawks vs Maple Leafs Prediction, Odds & Picks (Feb. 15): Can Toronto Extend Chicago’s Road Losing Streak?

The NHL has an exciting schedule planned for Wednesday, Feb. 15, including a matchup between the Chicago Blackhawks and Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. This is also the first Blackhawks vs Maple Leafs matchup of the season, leaving it interesting to see who emerges as the victor.

The Toronto Maple Leafs take on the Chicago Blackhawks this week on @scotiabank Wednesday Night Hockey! ?

Who ya got? ?

Tune in at 7:00pm ET / 4:00 pm PT on SN + SN Now pic.twitter.com/lp3jh9ruu9

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 14, 2023

The Blackhawks enter tonight’s contest following a 4-0 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday. Chicago has now lost six of its last eight games, which includes three straight road losses.

The Maple Leafs tasted defeat in their last outing as well, falling 4-3 to the Columbus Blue Jackets in overtime over the weekend. The loss marks Toronto’s second straight defeat at Scotiabank Arena, leaving time to tell if the home team can bounce back tonight.

There are a plethora of betting opportunities heading into tonight’s Blackhawks vs Maple Leafs showdown. Here’s a look at BetOnline Sportsbook’s latest odds for the game, as well as a prediction and the best bet to make, courtesy of Betting News.

Chicago Blackhawks vs Toronto Maple Leafs Matchup Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Chicago Blackhawks (16-31-5, 6-15-2 Away) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (32-14-8, 20-6-4 Home)
• Venue & Location: Scotiabank Arena (Toronto, Ontario)
• Date: Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023
• Game Time: 7 p.m. Eastern Time
• Blackhawks vs Maple Leafs TV Info: TNT

Blackhawks vs Maple Leafs Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline as of Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 8:20 a.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Spread

• Chicago Blackhawks +2.5 (-118)
• Toronto Maple Leafs -2.5 (+104)

Over/Under

• Over 6.5 Goals (-108)
• Under 6.5 Goals (-112)

Moneyline

• Chicago Blackhawks +385
• Toronto Maple Leafs -520

Blackhawks vs Maple Leafs Betting Trends

• Chicago is 3-10 straight up in its last 13 road games.
• Toronto is 11-3 straight up in its last 14 games against the Western Conference.
• The total has hit the under in five of Chicago’s last six games against the Eastern Conference.
• The total has hit the over in four of Toronto’s last six games against the Central Division.
• The total has hit the over in four of the last five Chicago-Toronto matchups played at Scotiabank Arena.

Can the Blackhawks Stop Their Road Skid?

To say that the Blackhawks have been terrible on the road would be an understatement. They’re 6-15-2 on the road thus far this season, which includes a 3-10-0 stretch over their last 13 away games.

The Blackhawks’ offense has nearly been doubled by their opponents over the last 13 road games, getting outscored 45-23 over that stretch. What’s even worse is that Chicago has been outscored 15-4 during their three-game road losing skid.

It doesn’t help that the Blackhawks’ special teams have been less than ideal over that span. Chicago is only 3-of-35 (8.5%) on the power play over the last 13 road contests while the penalty kill has been operating at an uninspiring 78.9% success rate during that time.

Unfortunately for the Blackhawks, it’s likely that their special teams woes will continue tonight. For starters, the Maple Leafs possess the NHL’s No. 5 power-play unit, scoring on 25.4% of their opportunities on the man advantage. While Toronto’s penalty kill is fairly average (80.2%, No. 15), it’s still good enough to handle Chicago’s lethargic power play.

At the end of the day, the Blackhawks are a terrible team and they’re outmatched in pretty much every way by the Maple Leafs. Unless they come out with their best performance of the year, it’s more than likely that the Blackhawks’ losing ways won’t end tonight.

Maple Leafs Aim for Home Success

Although the Maple Leafs have one of the best home records in the NHL (20-6-4), success has been tough to come by at Scotiabank Arena lately.

The Maple Leafs have lost three of their last four home games, allowing an uncharacteristic four-plus goals in each loss. The fact of the matter is that Toronto just hasn’t been getting the saves that it needs to win.

Ilya Samsonov was the starting goaltender in three of his team’s last four home games, playing to a 4.01 goals-against average and .862 save percentage. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have the best track record against the Blackhawks, allowing five goals on 28 shots in his only start against them back in December 2021.

The good news for the Maple Leafs is that Daily Faceoff projects that Petr Mrazek will be in net for the Blackhawks. The veteran netminder is 0-4-1 in his last five starts with a .386 GAA and .888 SV%. On top of that, he owns a 2-8-0 record in 11 career games against Toronto.

It’s going to be tough for Mrazek and the Blackhawks to keep the puck out of their own net with that sort of play. Mitchell Marner, John Tavares and William Nylander each have 22-plus points over the Maple Leafs’ last 20 games and aren’t showing signs of slowing down.

Meanwhile, the likes of Michael Bunting and Calle Jarnkrok are always threats to score as well. In other words, it might only take a few goals to open the floodgates. If that’s the case, the Blackhawks don’t have the tools for a comeback.

Blackhawks vs Maple Leafs Prediction and Picks

Blackhawks vs Maple Leafs Prediction: Maple Leafs 5, Blackhawks 2

Blackhawks vs Maple Leafs Best Bets: Maple Leafs -2.5 (Best Value: +104 at BetOnline) & Over 6.5 Goals (Best Value: -108 at BetOnline)

The Maple Leafs are the clear-cut better team and should get the job done tonight. Taking into account that the Blackhawks constantly allow a ton of goals and the Maple Leafs’ best players are playing well, Toronto is in a good position to cover as the -2.5 favorite.

I also recommend backing the over for this Blackhawks vs Maple Leafs tilt. Chicago’s lack of defense and reliable goaltending will be made evident early on and Toronto has the firepower to do most of the heavy lifting. With the over being hit in four of the last five times these teams have met, I’m even more convinced that backing the over is the right call again.

Other Chicago vs Toronto Betting Resources

• Blackhawks vs Maple Leafs Consensus Picks, Score Projections & Betting Stats