Leafs vs Penguins Odds, Lines and Best Bet – Shorthanded Pittsburgh Takes on Toronto as Short Home Underdogs
- Slumping Toronto Maple Leafs visit the injury-hobbled Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday as road favorites
- Leafs have lost two straight but face a Penguins squad that will be without Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Jeff Carter
- Read on for all the odds and trends ahead of Saturday night’s Eastern Conference clash at PPG Paints Arena
Two teams seeking to overcome middling starts to the NHL season clash on Saturday as the Pittsburgh Penguins play host to the Toronto Maple Leafs as slim home underdogs.
Hobbled by injuries to key personnel, the Penguins are coming off a disappointing 2-1 overtime loss to the visiting Dallas Stars that drops their record to 2-0-2 through four outings going into Saturday night’s 7pm ET scheduled puck drop at PPG Paints Arena.
Maple Leafs vs Penguins Odds
| Game Time (ET) | Team | Puck Line | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday October 23 | Toronto Maple Leafs | -1.5 (+185) | Ov 6 (-110) | -130 |
| 7pm | Pittsburgh Penguins | +1.5 (-225) | Un 6 (-110) | +110 |
*Odds at DraftKings as of October 22, 2021.
Penguins Rocked by Injuries
The Penguins have alternated between dominating wins and narrow defeats through their first four outings, but have managed to avoid losing in regulation despite being decimated by early-season injuries to key personnel.
Neither team captain Sidney Crosby (wrist) nor Evgeni Malkin (knee) have seen action to date. The club has also had to make do without the services of forward Bryan Rust, who landed on the IR last weekend with a lower body injury.
So far for #Pens:
— Crosby has been out because of wrist surgery
— Malkin has been out because of knee surgery
— Rust sustained a lower-body injury that has him week to week
— Guentzel and Aston-Reese have had COVID
— Matheson has been out with a lower-bodyBeen 3 games.
— Wes Crosby (@OtherNHLCrosby) October 18, 2021
The club’s supporting cast has picked up the slack in the absence of their top two offensive weapons. Journeyman Danton Heinen has led the charge in his Penguins debut, potting three goals in four appearances, while four players lead the club with four points each, including veteran forward Jeff Carter.
However, it is looking increasingly unlikely that Carter will be available for Saturday’s matchup after entering COVID-19 protocol. According to reports, Carter has tested positive, while goaltender Tristan Jarry was able to return to practice after testing negative.
Per Mike Sullivan, Tristan Jarry's covid-19 test was a false positive and he has been removed from the NHL's protocol.
Jeff Carter remains in protocol and has been ruled out for Saturday's home game against the Maple Leafs. As of last night, Carter remains asymptomatic.
— Seth Rorabaugh (@SethRorabaugh) October 22, 2021
The loss of Carter is a blow for the Penguins, who have also seen Zach Aston-Reese and Jake Guentzel miss time after testing positive during the preseason. In addition to his offensive contributions, Carter leads all Pittsburgh forwards in ice time, and Jarry has been a standout in between the pipes, surrendering just five total goals over his three starts.
While the Penguins have managed to stay within striking distance of the top of the Metropolitan Division standings early on, any further health issues are likely to take their toll on the team’s chances to pay out as current +320 favorites in the NHL divisional odds.
Maple Leafs vs Penguins Recent Regular Season Results
| Date | Score | Home Team Odds | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 20, 2020 | Penguins 0 at Maple Leafs 4 | -115 | UNDER 6.5 |
| February 18, 2020 | Maple Leafs 2 at Penguins 5 | -140 | OVER 6.5 |
| November 16, 2019 | Maple Leafs 1 at Penguins 6 | -135 | OVER 6.5 |
| February 2, 2019 | Penguins 2 at Maple Leafs 3 | -140 | UNDER 6.5 |
| November 3, 2018 | Maple Leafs 5 at Penguins 0 | -140 | UNDER 6.5 |
Leafs’ Offence MIA
The Maple Leafs will be aiming to snap their first losing streak of the season as they kick off a three-game road trip on Saturday as Canada online sports betting pegs them as -130 road favorites.
With Michael Hutchinson in goal, Toronto dropped a 5-3 decision to the visiting San Jose Sharks on Friday evening, and have now lost two in a row, and three of five overall to start the season. The club gave up the first goal for the fourth time in their first five outings, and have not held the lead during the two-game swoon that started with a 2-1 overtime loss to the New York Rangers on Monday night.
Makes sense. Fees like the Leafs should be scoring a lot more with how many changes they’ve had to start the season. https://t.co/UuzxLYoLnY
— Ryan (@LaxinKid19) October 23, 2021
The Leafs’ current slide coincides with the return of Auston Matthews, who missed the first three games of the season while recovering from a wrist injury. Perched among the favorites on the Hart Trophy odds as a +1200 bet, Matthews has been held pointless in his first two outings. In addition, Mitch Marner has yet to score, while John Tavares has mustered just one goal to date, contributing to the team’s dismal 2.20 average goals scored per game.
https://twitter.com/HockeyHoundShow/status/1451589948352733212?s=20
Complicating matters is the Leafs’ dismal track record in Pittsburgh, where they have given up 11 total goals while losing two straight, and eight of 11 overall. The upside for Toronto is their relatively good health, as well as Jack Campbell’s anticipated return to the crease Saturday night.
Campbell has been steady over his first four appearances, stopping 82 of 86 shots while compiling a miniscule 1.18 goals against average, and will be key to the club’s rebound against the Pens.
The Picks: Maple Leafs (-130); UNDER 6.0 (-110)
Daniel has been writing about sports and sports betting for over 23 years. The seasoned pro has contributed to the likes of Sports Illustrated, Sportsnet, NESN, Bleacher Report, OddsShark, the Globe and Mail, and The Nation magazine.
