Free NHL Picks Today: Toronto Maple Leafs vs Washington Capitals 10/13/22

The Toronto Maple Leafs (0-1-0) play host to the Washington Capitals (0-1-0) at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday for their home opener. The Maple Leafs are -190 favorites, and the total is 6.5. Both teams will be playing their second game in as many days. Washington is coming off a 5-2 loss against the Bruins yesterday. The Capitals conceded a power play goal while failing to take advantage of their own power play opportunities. Anthony Mantha and Conor Sheary each scored once for the Capitals. Darcy Kuemper saved only 25 of 29 shots against (.862%) in the loss. Toronto is returning home for a five-game homestand after a 4-3 loss against the Canadiens yesterday. William Nylander, Denis Malgin, and Michael Bunting each scored once for the Maple Leafs. Nylander added an assist to share the scoring lead with John Tavares, who had two assists. Matt Murray only had 19 saves on 23 shots against (.826%) in the loss.

HEAD TO HEAD

The Maple Leafs won all three games between the teams last season, including a 4-3 (OT) victory in their final meeting in April, their third straight win against Washington. Ilya Mikheyev (1G 1A) and Auston Matthews (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Toronto. Erik Kallgren got the win, saving 34 of 37 shots (.920%).

FACING OFF

Washington averaged 3.29 goals per game last season, 10th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Maple Leafs team that allowed 3.07 goals a game (19th). Meanwhile, Toronto found the net 3.80 times a game on average, second in the league, and the Capitals allowed opponents to score 2.95 goals per game (12th). The Capitals converted 18.82% of their power play opportunities (23rd), while Toronto’s 82.05% penalty kill percentage ranked eighth. The Maple Leafs scored on 27.27% of their power play chances, most in the NHL. Washington’s PK% of 80.44 ranked No. 12.