Two of the league’s top defenses are set to face off at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday, as the New York Rangers (26-14-7) head to face the Toronto Maple Leafs (29-11-8). New York is coming off a high-scoring 6-2 win over the Panthers on Monday.
The Rangers committed only two penalties in the game, yet still conceded a power play goal. Mika Zibanejad led the Rangers with two goals. Igor Shesterkin had a great performance with 33 saves (.942%) in the win. Toronto beat the Islanders 5-2 on Monday. William Nylander scored twice to lead the Maple Leafs. Ilya Samsonov saved 31 of 33 shots in the win (.939%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Rangers won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 3-1 victory in December. Jimmy Vesey (2G 0A) and Vincent Trocheck (0G 2A) each had two points to lead New York. Michael Bunting scored Toronto’s only goal. Shesterkin got the win, saving 22 of 23 shots (.956%).
FACING OFF
New York is averaging 3.17 goals per game for the season, 16th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Maple Leafs team that is allowing only 2.62 goals a game (5th). Meanwhile, Toronto has found the net 3.40 times a game on average, eighth in the league, and the Rangers are holding opponents to 2.62 goals per game (4th).
The Maple Leafs’ 24.68% power play percentage ranks seventh in the league, while the Rangers are 16th with a conversion rate of 21.48%. In terms of penalty killing, New York has the league’s 14th-ranked PK% at 79.85%, while Toronto is 15th at 79.73%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 50 and 49 points this season, Artemi Panarin and Zibanejad have been the top skaters for the Rangers. In the net, Shesterkin (20-8-6) is New York’s top goaltender. He has a 2.45 GAA and a .917% save percentage.
Nylander and Mitchell Marner lead the Maple Leafs in scoring with 56 points apiece. Nylander has 26 goals and 30 assists, while Marner has 17 goals and 39 assists (6th) in 48 games.
Auston Matthews has 25 goals and 28 assists. Samsonov (14-4-2) has the best goals against average for Toronto at 2.22, third-best in the league. He has a save percentage of .919%.
HOME AND AWAY
New York is 14-5-3 on the road this season. Toronto is 18-3-4 at home this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Toronto Maple Leafs (-160)
Want up to a $1K risk free bet for this pick?
Claim with 
today!
If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our NHL hub page for all your hockey needs!
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
