Maple Leafs vs Red Wings Betting & Picks (Jan. 12): Toronto’s Offense Comes Alive at Little Bovada Arena

Thursday, Jan. 12’s NHL schedule features several exciting matchups, including an Atlantic Division tilt between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings. Toronto has already faced Detroit twice this campaign, winning both games in convincing fashion. Only time will tell if that trend continues when tonight’s Maple Leafs vs Red Wings matchup is finished.

Red Wings at practice today, host Leafs Thursday at LCA. pic.twitter.com/4VYdpcJSh2

— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) January 11, 2023

After a bit of a rut, the Maple Leafs are on track, having won their last three games. They were just in action Wednesday night, notching a 2-1 victory over the Nashville Predators. Mitchell Marner and John Tavares each found the back of the net while Matt Murray stopped 32 of the 33 shots that he faced.

Meanwhile, the Red Wings were on a three-game losing streak before their 7-5 win against the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday. Five different Detroit players had multi-point performances, but none were bigger than defenseman Mo Seider’s showing as he finished the night with four assists.

As with most notable matchups, there are plenty of betting opportunities in this Maple Leafs vs Red Wings tilt. Here’s a look at BetOnline Sportsbook’s latest odds for the games, as well as a prediction and the best bet to make, courtesy of Betting News.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Detroit Red Wings Matchup Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Toronto Maple Leafs (26-9-7, 11-6-3 Away) vs. Detroit Red Wings (17-15-7, 10-8-3 Home)
• Venue & Location: Little Bovada Arena (Detroit, Michigan)
• Date: Thursday, Jan.2 1, 2023
• Game Time: 7 p.m. Eastern Time
• Maple Leafs vs Red Wings Info: ESPN

Maple Leafs vs Red Wings Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline as of Thursday, Jan. 12 at 8:24 a.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Spread

• Toronto Maple Leafs -1.5 (+160)
• Detroit Red Wings +1.5 (-200)

Over/Under

• Over 6.5 Goals (-105)
• Under 6.5 Goals (-118)

Moneyline

• Toronto Maple Leafs -152
• Detroit Red Wings +126

Maple Leafs vs Red Wings Betting Trends

• Toronto is 9-0 straight up in its last nine games against Detroit.
• Detroit is 4-10 straight up in its last 14 games.
• The total has hit the over in each of Toronto’s last five road games.
• The total has hit the under in four of Detroit’s last six games against the Eastern Conference.

Toronto vs Detroit Prediction and Picks

Maple Leafs vs Red Wings Prediction: Maple Leafs 4, Red Wings 1

Maple Leafs vs Red Wings: Maple Leafs -1.5 (Best Value: +160 at BetOnline) & Under 6.5 Goals (Best Value: -118 at BetOnline)

Despite the familiarity that comes with playing in the same division, the Red Wings just can’t solve the Maple Leafs. Detroit is 3-16-2 in its last 21 games against Toronto and has lost nine straight meetings between the Atlantic Division rivals.

The Red Wings have looked terrible during their nine-game skid against the Maple Leafs, being outscored 48-21. What’s even worse is that Detroit’s penalty kill has been terrible over that stretch, operating at just 65.0%. Considering how the Maple Leafs are 2-of-7 (28.6%) on the man advantage against the Red Wings this season, Derek Lalonde’s team must avoid trips to the penalty box.

The Maple Leafs have also scored at least four goals in all but one of their last nine games against the Red Wings. Marner leads the way with eight goals in that span while Tavares and Auston Matthews aren’t too far behind with six apiece.

After Toronto has already finished with exactly four goals in both of the previous Maple Leafs vs Red Wings matchups this season, I see a similar performance happening tonight even if Matthews’ lingering injury holds him out of the game.

Keefe on Auston Matthews injury:

"It's something that's been lingering for a while … He's out there putting in lots of work so he's clearly not too far away. He's improving daily. We'll see where he's at tomorrow."

Leafs at Detroit tomorrow … in Boston Saturday@TSN_Edge

— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) January 11, 2023

Even playing at Little Bovada Arena won’t help the Red Wings. The Maple Leafs are 7-0-1 in their last eight trips to Detroit, averaging 5.25 goals per game in those contests. In fact, the Maple Leafs have scored 21 goals in their last three road games against the Red Wings alone.

It’s also been confirmed by Daily Faceoff that Ville Husso will start in goal for the Red Wings. The 27-year-old goaltender is 2-3-1 in his last six starts, tallying a 4.72 goals-against average and .852 save percentage while allowing at least four goals in five of those contests. Needless to say, the Maple Leafs’ offense shouldn’t be slowed down.

Meanwhile, it’s looking like Matt Murray will get the nod for Toronto. He hasn’t been perfect, but he’s at least 3-2-0 in his last five starts with a 2.81 GAA and .903 SV%.

With the Red Wings also losing seven of their last 10 games at home, I’m even more confident that the Maple Leafs will get the job done. They have a more talented roster and they’re getting more consistent goaltending than Detroit. Taking those factors into account, Toronto should be able to cover the 1.5-goal spread tonight.

I also recommend the total going under 6.5 goals. The first two Maple Leafs vs Red Wings of the year finished under that total. On top of that, the total is 6-3 in Toronto’s last nine games on a Thursday while also being 10-4 in Detroit’s last 14 outings in January.

Other Toronto vs Detroit Resources

• Maple Leafs vs Red Wings Consensus Picks, Score Projections & Betting Stats