NHL Preview, Odds, And Prediction: Toronto Maple Leafs vs Chicago Blackhawks

KEY POINTS

Maple Leafs host the Blackhawks on Saturday
Patrick Kane targets another milestone
Blackhawks are dogs on the road

Another milestone awaits Patrick Kane when the Chicago Blackhawks travel to Toronto to lock horns against the Maple Leafs inside the Scotiabank Arena on Saturday.

The three-time Stanley Cup champion is just two points away from reaching 1,000 - a breakthrough moment that could take place in the said game. Kane will have to face a tall order though as the Blackhawks are placed to conquer a much-favored Maple Leafs based on the latest NHL betting lines.

Maple Leafs:

The Maple Leafs (25-16-7) may have the advantage in the total team tally over the Blackhawks (22-20-6), but the upset chances are lurking around the corner. The home team is wary of Chicago who has already won nine of its last 13 games to keep its place right in the thick of things in the Central Division.

Team captain John Taraves is displaying some flashes of brilliance as he is on a three-game point streak. He aims to stay sharp in this game to help his team protect home ice against the Blackhawks.

Blackhawks:

Kane’s teammates' heap praises to the star player as he draws closer to another momentous accomplishment in his career. The 31-year-old remains as the Blackhawks’ top ace, leading the team in points and goals with 60 and 24, respectively. He currently enjoys an eight-game point streak in which he collected four goals and nine assists.

Odds and Trends:

The Maple Leafs are priced -220 while the Blackhawks are at +175 in Moneyline.

The Maple Leafs are 6-1 in their last 7 Saturday games and 5-2 in their last 7 vs. a team with a losing record.

The Blackhawks are 5-0 in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference and 7-1 in their last 8 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.

Over is 4-0-1 in Maple Leafs last 5 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game and 4-0 in Blackhawks last 4 Saturday games.

Under is 13-6-1 in Maple Leafs last 20 vs. Western Conference and Under is 4-0 in Blackhawks last 4 vs. Eastern Conference.

Prediction:

Moneyline: Maple Leafs

Total: Under