We have 14 games on the NHL betting slate tonight, including an Original Six matchup between the Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
Auston Matthews has been a catalyst for the Maple Leafs' turnaround this week, and I expect him to continue his hot play tonight against a struggling Rangers squad.
Find out more in my Maple Leafs vs. Rangers predictions and NHL picks for Thursday, March 20.
Maple Leafs vs Rangers prediction
My Leafs pick: Auston Matthews Over 0.5 power play points (+155 at Sports Interaction)
My Leafs analysis
It’s the rubber match between the Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Rangers tonight as they face off for the final time this season tied at one game apiece in the series.
New York has just one win in regulation in its last eight outings. Meanwhile, the Leafs seem to have re-found their game after a rough stretch, rattling off two impressive victories in a row this week against the Calgary Flames and Colorado Avalanche.
There are two big reasons for the Leafs' turnaround this week — a red-hot power play, and Auston Matthews finding his scoring touch.
After just three goals in 16 games prior to this two-game winning streak, he’s matched that output with a trio of goals in his last two games, all of which came via the power play.
The Leafs have converted on each of their last four power play opportunities and have a league-best 43% success rate in the month of March with 10 goals on 23 opportunities. Matthews has factored on seven of the 10 goals this month, leading the way for Toronto. In that stretch, he also leads the NHL in power play shots with 13, scoring on four of them.
That should bode well against a Rangers squad that has been the NHL’s least disciplined team over its last eight games with 28 penalties taken and just a 78% kill rate, allowing the eighth-most high-danger chances. It’s resulted in six goals against, including five in their last five games.
Matthews is regaining his confidence again and should get ample opportunity to capitalize if these trends continue.
Maple Leafs vs Rangers same-game parlay (SGP)
Auston Matthews anytime goal
Auston Matthews 3+ shots on goal
Maple Leafs to score first
For the first leg of our SGP, we’ll mirror our best bet with an anytime goal for Matthews. The Leafs captain has four goals in his last three games and seems to be getting the bounces to go his way again, much like it did during his 69-goal campaign last season. He has also scored five times in his last five games against the Rangers.
Next up, I’ll add Matthews to register 3+ shots. The Leafs captain has played with considerable jump the last two games, hurling 13 pucks on goal in the Maple Leafs’ wins over Calgary and Colorado. He also averages 3.86 shots per game throughout his career against the Rangers and has hit this total in 19 of the 23 meetings between the two clubs.
For the final leg of our SGP, I’ll grab the Maple Leafs to score the first goal. Toronto has scored the opening goal in seven of their nine games this month. Moreover, New York has been snakebitten offensively in this rough stretch, averaging just 2.25 goals per game over their last eight outings.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Maple Leafs vs Rangers odds
Maple Leafs vs Rangers live odds
Maple Leafs vs Rangers opening odds
- Puck line: Toronto +1.5 | New York -1.5
- Moneyline: Toronto +110 | New York -124
- Over/Under: Over 5.5 | Under 5.5
Odds courtesy of Sports Interaction
Maple Leafs vs Rangers trend
The Under is 6-4 in the last 10 meetings between the two clubs. Find more NHL betting trends for Maple Leafs vs. Rangers.
How to watch Maple Leafs vs Rangers
| Location | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| Date | Thursday, 3-20-2025 |
| Puck drop | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | SNO |
Maple Leafs vs Rangers latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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