Toronto Maple Leafs vs New York Islanders Prediction NHL Picks 1/2/25

In this article, we will formulate a Toronto Maple Leafs vs New York Islanders prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, January 2nd at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup. 

Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Preview

The Toronto Maple Leafs are 23-13-2 this year after they defeated the Islanders by a score of 3-1 in their last game. Toronto was tied at one in the second period, but they were able to score the last two goals in the game for the win. The Maple Leafs were outshot by a total of 31-25, won 46.3% of the face-offs, and went 1-4 on the power play in the game. Toronto got goals from Kampf, Lorentz, and Tavares, while Woll stopped 30 out of 31 shots in the game. 

Prior to that win, the Maple Leafs lost to the Capitals by a score of 5-2 but did beat the Red Wings by a score of 5-2 before that. Toronto has lost three of their last five games and they have allowed at least five goals in all three losses. The Maple Leafs are currently tied for first in the Atlantic standings with 48 points on the year. Toronto has scored 3.11 goals per game and they have allowed 2.79 goals against per game, while also going 20.5% on the power play and 81.5% on the penalty kill this season. Mitch Marner has led Toronto with 13 goals, 38 assists, and 94 shots on goal, while William Nylander has added 23 goals, 20 assists, and 132 shots on goal this year. Joseph Woll is 11-6-0 with a 2.48 goals against average and a .913 save percentage this year. 

New York Islanders Betting Preview

The New York Islanders are 14-17-7 this season after they lost to Toronto by a score of 3-1 in their last game. New York tied the game at one in the second period, but they allowed the last two goals in the game for the loss. The Islanders recorded 31 shots on goal, won 53.7% of the face-offs, and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. New York got their lone goal from Pageau, while Sorokin stopped 22 out of 24 shots in the loss. 

Prior to that game, the Islanders lost to Pittsburgh by a score of 3-2 but did beat the Penguins by a score of 6-3 before that. New York has lost five of their last seven games and they are currently second to last in the Metro standings with 35 points. New York has scored 2.63 goals per game and they have allowed 3.18 goals against per game, while also going 11.3% on the power play and 63.9% on the penalty kill this season. Anders Lee has led New York with 16 goals, 14 assists, and 111 shots on goal, while Bo Horvat has added 10 goals, 17 assists, and 104 shots on goal this season. Ilya Sorokin is 11-12-4 with a 2.92 goals against average and an .898 save percentage this year. 

Why the Maple Leafs will beat the Islanders

• The road team has won six of the Maple Leafs’ last seven games.
• The Islanders have lost three of their last four games.
• The Maple Leafs have covered the puck line in four of their last five road games.
• The Islanders have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last nine games.
• The road team has won the first period in five of the Maple Leafs’ last six games.

Total Goals Facts

• Eight of the Islanders’ last nine night games against Eastern Conference opponents at UBS Arena have gone OVER the total goal line.
• Seven of the Maple Leafs’ last eight games have gone OVER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in 17 of the Maple Leafs’ last 18 games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Islanders’ last eight games at UBS Arena.

New York Islanders Player Prop Facts

• Mathew Barzal has recorded at least one point in each of his last seven appearances with the Islanders as underdogs against the Maple Leafs.
• Jean-Gabriel Pageau has scored a goal in four of the Islanders’ last five games as underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.
• Anders Lee has recorded at least one assist in four of the Islanders’ last five games as underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.

Toronto Maple Leafs Player Prop Facts

• Mitch Marner has recorded at least one point in each of the Maple Leafs’ last nine games.
• Nicholas Robertson has scored a goal in four of his last five appearances with the Maple Leafs as road favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
• Mitch Marner has recorded at least one assist in six of the Maple Leafs’ last seven games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

• The New York Islanders rank 26th in the league for goals per game this season (2.63).
• The New York Islanders rank 32nd in the league for power-play goals this season (11).
• The Toronto Maple Leafs rank 30th in the league for Period 3 goals scored per game this season (0.84).
• The Toronto Maple Leafs rank 5th in the league in save percentage this season (.904).

Toronto Maple Leafs vs New York Islanders Prediction

Toronto was able to get the win against the Islanders on Tuesday by a score of 3-1, but New York did win their first meeting by a score of 6-3 on December 21st. The Maple Leafs are currently one of the best teams in the East, but they are just 8-6-2 on the road. New York has not played well over the last few weeks and they have one of the worst penalty kills in the NHL. The Islanders are only 7-8-2 at home this year and I just don’t believe their offense is good enough. Take the Leafs to get another win here.