Maple Leafs vs Islanders NHL Predictions, Odds, Props & Best Bets (1/2)

The Toronto Maple Leafs (23-13-2) will try to make it two straight wins over the New York Islanders (14-17-7) when the two teams collide at UBS Arena tonight. It’s the second Maple Leafs vs. Islanders clash in three days and, just like the first one, this evening’s affair is filled with enticing NHL betting opportunities.

Can Toronto solidify its status atop the Atlantic Division with another win? Or will New York find a way to pull off the home-ice upset?

Let’s highlight some of this game’s best NHL bets as we dive into the Maple Leafs vs. Islanders predictions and picks.

2024-25 NHL Game Predictions: 23-11-0 (67.6%)

2024-25 NHL Best Bet + Prop Record: 37-29-0 (56.1%)

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NHL Tonight: Maple Leafs vs Islanders Betting Preview (1/2)

Maple Leafs vs Islanders Game Information

• Matchup: Toronto Maple Leafs (23-13-2, 8-6-2 Away) vs. New York Islanders (14-17-7, 7-8-2 Home)
• Venue & Location: UBS Arena (Elmont, NY)
• Date: Thursday, Dec. 31, 2024
• Game Time: 5 p.m. ET
• How to Watch Maple Leafs vs. Islanders: Hulu, Disney+, ESPN+

Maple Leafs vs Islanders NHL Betting Odds

All NHL odds are courtesy of BetOnline as of Thursday, Jan. 2 at 12:00 a.m. ET. Odds from other sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Maple Leafs vs Islanders Puck Line

• Toronto Maple Leafs -1.5 (+215)
• New York Islanders +1.5 (-255)

Islanders vs Maple Leafs Over/Under

• Over 6 Goals (+100)
• Under 6 Goals (-116)

Maple Leafs vs Islanders Moneyline

• Toronto Maple Leafs (-110)
• New York Islanders (-102)

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Maple Leafs vs Islanders NHL Betting Trends

• Toronto is 1-5 straight up in its last six games vs. the Islanders.
• The Islanders are 2-5 straight up in their last seven games.
• The total hit the Over in seven of Toronto’s last eight games.
• The total hit the Over in five of the Islanders’ last six home games.
• The total hit the Over in five of the last seven Maple Leafs-Islanders.

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Maple Leafs vs Islanders NHL Predictions & Picks (1/2)

The Islanders will look to avoid a third straight loss when they host the Maple Leafs tonight. These Eastern Conference foes last met on New Year’s Eve, ending in a 3-1 win for the Maple Leafs that was led by goaltender Joseph Woll’s 30-save performance.

That encounter was at Scotiabank Arena, though, whereas tonight’s action emanates from UBS Arena. The Maple Leafs haven’t defeated the Islanders on the road since January 2022, losing three straight trips to Elmont, NY while being outscored 18-8 on aggregate.

Having said that, the Maple Leafs will have some momentum on their side as they look to buck that trend. Craig Berube’s team has been playing well outside of Toronto lately, going 4-1 SU across its last five away games. Killing 15-of-16 (93.8%) of penalties during that stretch certainly played a key role in that success.

The Islanders have struggled to take advantage of home-ice advantage this season, proven by a 7-9 SU record at UBS Arena. Even though they picked up a 6-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins in their last game, it’s worth noting that the Isles haven’t won consecutive home games since April 11/17, having gone 8-11 SU in 19 home contests since then.

The Islanders have struggled to find consistency lately. Will that change tonight? 

Even though the Maple Leafs are still without the likes of Auston Matthews and Anthony Stolarz, tonight’s outlook is still promising. The special teams advantage is firmly on the Leafs’ side as they enter tonight’s action boasting the 19th-best power play and 11th-best penalty kill.

For comparison, the Islanders rank dead last in both of those areas. New York has also scored two or fewer goals in three of its last four games, hinting that it could struggle to keep pace with Toronto’s 3.11 goal-per-game offense (13th).

Based on how things have been going, NHL bettors can expect Woll to get the start again for the Maple Leafs. Tuesday’s victory was the latest example of Woll’s recently improved play, boosting his stats to a 10-4-0 record, 2.43 goals-against average, .917 save percentage, and one shutout.

He also owns a .929 SV%, 2.03 GAA, and one shutout win in three career encounters with the Islanders.

As for the Islanders, time will tell if G Ilya Sorokin’s potential turnaround begins tonight. The NHL All-Star puck-stopper has failed to meet expectations lately, playing to an underwhelming .853 SV% and 3.94 GAA in his last seven games. Interestingly enough, Sorokin is 3-1-0 with a 2.74 GAA and .923 SV% in four career visits to UBS Arena.

The Islanders need G Ilya Sorokin to be better than he has been lately. 

With the Islanders’ slump showing no signs of ending, I’m taking the Maple Leafs to win. On top of beating the Isles a few days ago, the Maple Leafs have been playing well on the road lately in addition to holding the special teams advantage. Unless they left their ability to play hockey in 2024, Berube’s players shouldn’t have any issues picking up the victory here.

I’ll keep things simple by taking the Maple Leafs on the moneyline — especially after going 4-1 SU in their last five road games. The Islanders are just too difficult to trust at the moment and not even will the Elmont crowd be enough to help them reverse course tonight.

Maple Leafs vs. Islanders NHL Prediction: TOR wins

BestMaple Leafs vs. Islanders NHL Bet: TOR ML (-110)

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Best Maple Leafs v Islanders NHL Player Prop Bet (1/2)

I’m feeling pretty confident about a John Tavares anytime goal (+160 on SportsBetting) is tonight’s best Maple Leafs vs. Islanders player prop bet.

Tavares’ goal-scoring ways have improved as the 2024-25 campaign has progressed. The ex-Maple Leafs captain has scored 10 goals in his last 16 games with seven of those markers coming in his most recent eight outings. One of those goals came on Tuesday when the veteran center scored an empty-net goal with 33 seconds remaining.

Sticking with that topic, Tavares now has five goals in his last eight games against his former team. With the Islanders struggling to keep the puck out of their net lately, I won’t be shocked if the 34-year-old forward hits paydirt again.

Best Maple Leafs vs. Islanders Player Prop Bet: John Tavares Anytime Goal (+160)

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