Offense meets defense at American Airlines Center on Tuesday as the explosive Dallas Stars (14-6-5) play host to the stifling Toronto Maple Leafs (15-5-6). Toronto is coming off a 4-3 overtime loss against the Lightning on Saturday, ending a run of five straight wins. The Maple Leafs committed eight penalties in the game, conceding two power play goals.
Mitchell Marner was the top goalscorer for the Maple Leafs with two goals in regulation. Matt Murray only had 29 saves on 33 shots against (.878%) in the loss.Dallas fell 6-5 (SO) to the Wild on Sunday. Roope Hintz was the leading goal scorer for the Stars, netting a hat trick. Jake Oettinger saved only 12 of 16 shots (.750%) after starting in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Maple Leafs won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 3-2 (OT) victory in October, their third straight win against Dallas. Nicholas Robertson (2G 0A) and Michael Bunting (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Toronto. Luke Glendening and Tyler Seguin were on the scoresheet for Dallas. Ilya Samsonov got the win, saving 26 of 28 shots (.928%).
FACING OFF
Toronto is averaging 3.04 goals per game for the season, 19th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Stars team that is allowing 2.80 goals a game (9th). Meanwhile, Dallas has found the net 3.92 times a game on average, second in the league, and will be looking to break down the Maple Leafs’ stout defense, which is holding opponents to 2.54 goals per game (3rd).
The Stars’ 28.38% power play percentage is the fifth-best in the league, while the Maple Leafs rank 13th with a conversion rate of 23.81%. Dallas has been equally adept at penalty killing, boasting the league’s fourth-highest PK% at 83.67%. Toronto ranks 10th at 79.52%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 31 points this season, Marner is the top skater for the Maple Leafs. He is among the league leaders with 21 assists (10th) and has added 10 goals of his own. In the net, Murray (5-1-2) is Toronto’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 2.63 GAA and a .921% save percentage.
Erik Kallgren (3-2-4) leads the Maple Leafs in games played in goal. He has a GAA of 2.67 and a save percentage of .898%.Jason Robertson leads the Stars in scoring with 41 points (3rd in the league). He has a league-best 23 goals and 18 assists () in 25 games. Oettinger (9-2-3) has the best goals against average for Dallas at 2.35. He has a save percentage of .923%.
HOME AND AWAY
Toronto is 7-3-3 on the road this season. Dallas is 7-2-3 at American Airlines Center this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Toronto Maple Leafs (+100)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
