The Toronto Maple Leafs try to close the gap at the top of the Atlantic Division tonight as they face the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center.
The Buds have made an uneven start to 2023 as they look to stay among the top Stanley Cup contenders, but they’re coming off a 4-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings last night, with John Tavares scoring twice.
Four straight wins, including a 6-2 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes on Thursday, have boosted a disappointing season for Philadelphia, but it still remains well adrift of the Eastern Conference wildcard spots.
Find out the best angles for this matchup in our Maple Leafs vs. Flyers NHL betting picks and predictions.
Maple Leafs vs Flyers best odds
Maple Leafs vs Flyers picks and predictions
While the Flyers’ season is going nowhere fast, the Maple Leafs once again have big expectations for a Stanley Cup run. For the most part, Toronto has delivered so far, with its sharpshooting attack leading the way.
With Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and John Tavares taking center stage, the Maple Leafs boast one of the league’s most potent attacks and they’ve scored four or more goals in six of their last eight games.
The visitors’ tally of 135 goals this season is Top 5 in the Eastern Conference, and they can count on playmakers across all their lines. In short, they know how to score.
Despite Philadelphia’s recent winning run, in which it's tightened up defensively, Toronto has had success offensively in this matchup. Keefe’s men have won both meetings this season, with a 5-2 victory in early November, sparked by two goals from Tavares, and a 4-3 win in late December.
William Nylander — another interesting prop option here — stole the show with a goal and two assists in that December showdown.
This will be a good test for the Maple Leafs, who were outplayed in a shock 5-1 loss to the Seattle Kraken in midweek, and I expect a strong performance from a Toronto team that has thrived on the challenge of back-to-back fatigue.
My best bet: Maple Leafs team total Over 3.5 (-120)
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Maple Leafs vs Flyers moneyline analysis
The Maple Leafs arrive at Wells Fargo Center as the favorites, having collected 18 more points than their hosts. They’ve responded well in the second night of back-to-back sets, going 6-1 over their last seven in that spot, and a manageable injury list gives Keefe plenty of options for shuffling his lines.
But the Flyers will be no pushovers. They’re in good form and blew away the Coyotes on Thursday, with a goal and two assists from star man Travis Konecny. Konecny — 20 goals and 20 assists this season — and Kevin Hayes (24 assists) should have some joy against a Toronto defense that’s had some shaky moments over the past few weeks.
If you’re jumping on the Philadelphia bandwagon here, just keep in mind that the Flyers’ impressive recent results have largely come against a string of the league’s worst teams — the Coyotes, San Jose Sharks, and Anaheim Ducks are three of the bottom four in the Western Conference.
This is a major step up for the hosts against a star-studded Toronto team that’s 10-6-3 on the road this season. The Maple Leafs have won the last five meetings between these teams — and I like their chances of extending that run tonight.
Maple Leafs vs Flyers Over/Under analysis
The Over stands out with these two teams, cashing in for the Flyers’ last four games against fellow Eastern Conference opponents and in four of their last five home games overall. The Maple Leafs’ last four games following a win have also hit the Over.
As I’ve outlined above, I’m expecting the Toronto forwards to be firing on all cylinders, even after a grueling schedule this week. If anything, heavy legs might make this an end-to-end, open game with more scoring chances.
Both meetings this season have served up seven goals, and these teams have proven goalscorers who are just as adept at creating chances for their teammates. Look for some offensive fireworks tonight.
Keep an eye on the Maple Leafs’ goaltending situation too. Matt Murray is expected to get the start, but his form has been patchy in recent weeks and he had a night to forget against the Kraken.
Maple Leafs vs Flyers betting trend to know
The Maple Leafs’ depth has been a strength this season, especially in overcoming the more congested parts of the schedule. They’re 5-1 over their last six when playing the fourth game of four-in-six-nights set. Find more NHL betting trends for Maple Leafs vs Flyers.
Maple Leafs vs Flyers game info
| Location: | Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA |
| Date: | Sunday, January 8, 2023 |
| Puck drop: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Sportsnet, NBCS-PHI |
Maple Leafs vs Flyers key injuries
