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Monday’s lone NHL game highlights two of the NHL’s most prolific scorers sharing a sheet of ice in Auston Matthews and Nikita Kucherov.
Matthews and the Maple Leafs got off to a lethargic start offensively in contrast to their usual generous production. The league’s top scorer over the past eight seasons ranks second on Toronto’s list with a total of four points.
The Maple Leafs’ play has looked poor, converting at 12.5 percent through four games, but their strong five-on-five play has led them to three wins.
According to Moneypuck, the Maple Leafs have the eighth-highest expected goals average in the game so far.
I’m looking forward to the Toronto Stars going down a positive note on Monday as both newly appointed captain and Mitch Marner have averaged at least one point per game against the Lightning in their careers.
Lightning vs. Maple Leafs Team MoneylinePuck lineTota.Lightning+118+1.5 (-205)o6.5 (-112)Maple Leafs-142-1.5 (+172u6.5 (-108)Odds via FanDuel
On the opposite bench, Kucherov’s torrid start broke records. He’s No. 1 overall with seven goals through four games, a feat that makes him the first Lightning player in history to start a season this high on the scoring chart.
Historically, Kucherov makes his living on the power play, so it’s particularly polarizing that only two of his nine points came via the man advantage, suggesting a five-on-five advantage for the Lightning.
Nikita Kucherov celebrates a win over the Golden Knights on October 17, 2024. NHLI via Getty Images
Along with the Maple Leafs, they have a five-on-five goal differential of six or higher — putting both clubs in the top three entering play on Sunday.
Craig Berube and Jon Cooper mirror each other’s structures by utilizing elite talent to execute quick transition plays and maintain pressure in the offensive zone.
Betting on the NHL?
These familiar foes have topped the Atlantic Division in total goals with a 6.5 line in eight of 11 regular season meetings throughout the previous three seasons.
Let’s look at the pile of trophies won between these two lists to validate it with another barn stove.
Played: 6.5+ goals (-112, FanDuel)
Why trust the New York Post to bet
Sean Tripidi breaks down the NFL, NHL, MLB and college football for the New York Post. It focuses primarily on picks that reflect market value while tracking trends to mitigate risk.
