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Blackhawks vs. Maple Leafs Prediction, Picks & Best Bets for Tonight's NHL Game

Gary Pearson

Last Updated: December 2, 2024 7:33 AM EST • 2 min 53 sec read.

Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews looks on against the Minnesota Wild as we offer our Blackhawks vs. Maple Leafs prediction.
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews looks on against the Minnesota Wild. Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn via Imagn Images

While some teams are still determining whether they've hit rock bottom, there is no doubt where the Chicago Blackhawks are concerned.

They enter Monday's game at Scotiabank Arena (7:30 p.m. ET, Prime Video) against the Toronto Maple Leafs with the league's worst record (8-14-2).  

Chicago has dropped five consecutive road tilts and is tied with the San Jose Sharks for the third-worst road points percentage (.357). As if the Blackhawks' woeful 4-8-2 record in enemy rinks isn't enough, they face a Maple Leafs team carving teams apart on home ice.

The Maple Leafs' recent dominance at Scotiabank Arena — seven wins in the last eight games — has them among the  favorites. 

Our Blackhawks vs. Maple Leafs prediction sources a combination bet offering solid value for a contest where the hosts are prohibitive favorites. 

Blackhawks vs. Maple Leafs prediction

Odds via our best NHL betting sites; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale.

My best bet: Maple Leafs ML, Over 5.5 goals ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best odds: | Implied probability: 50%

Up To $250 First Bet Reset

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Monday's contest represents a perfect storm for the Blackhawks, whose collective confidence is about as low as a teenager repeating the same math class for the third time. If that's not bad enough, they're playing their third game in four nights and second in just over 24 hours after losing 6-3 at home to Columbus on Sunday. 

That's an ominous coupling, especially when facing the already daunting task of playing one of the league's best home teams. Toronto has allowed the fewest goals against (1.38) in the last eight games at Scotiabank Arena. 

Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson will almost assuredly turn to backup netminder Arvid Soderblom after Petr Mrazek started the previous five, including Sunday's game against the Blue Jackets. At least Soderblom, who hasn't played since Nov. 19, will be fresh. 

There's no value in backing the Maple Leafs on the moneyline (-350), and, with -225 odds, the potential profit margin on the 3-way moneyline isn't much better. 

Sourcing the best-value bet

That's why I'm combining Toronto to win and Over 5.5 goals. Excluding empty-net goals, Chicago hasn't allowed more than four goals on the road since their opener in Utah on Oct. 8.

While an impressive defensive record for such a poor team, they're overdue to allow at least four against a team brimming with confidence at home. 

Plus, the Maple Leafs should be buoyed and galvanized by Auston Matthews' first home appearance since Oct. 31. I'd also be keen on backing the Maple Leafs to pile on the shots against Soderblom.

If the Maple Leafs win and the game has at least six goals, you'll earn a $10 profit on a $10 bet.

Blackhawks vs. Maple Leafs player prop bet

NHL picks made Monday; odds subject to change.

Auston Matthews prop bet: Anytime goal ⭐⭐⭐

Best odds: -106 via Betway | Implied probability: 51.46%

Matthews played well against the Tampa Bay Lightning in his first game back since missing nine games. He had two assists to go along with a plus-2 rating. The last time Matthews lit the lamp was on Oct. 31 against the Seattle Kraken. That also happens to be the last time Matthews played on home ice. 

I feel a tired and unconfident Blackhawks team represents the perfect opportunity for the Maple Leafs captain to recapture his scoring touch. While the -106 odds aren't the best, I'm confident he'll score upon his return to Scotiabank Arena. A winning $10 bet will profit $9.43. 

Blackhawks vs. Maple Leafs live odds & info

  • When: Monday Dec. 2
  • Puck drop: 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Where: Scotiabank Arena (Toronto)
  • How to watch: Prime Video
  • Favorite: Maple Leafs (-330 via Betway)

Here are our best NHL betting sites:

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Written By:
Gary Pearson
Gary Pearson has written professionally since 2010, focusing on sports betting since 2014. Before entering the sports betting space, he contributed to the Canadian Press, FanSided, the Hockey Writers, the Calgary Herald, and other publications. His work has also been featured in Sports Illustrated and Bleacher Report. Gary, who consumes sports like a blue whale devours plankton, has a penchant for writing predictions and analyses across several sports, including hockey, soccer, football, tennis, and more. He bets regularly, preferring single-game picks, props, and live betting. While there isn't a sport he has yet to dabble in, Gary prefers betting on soccer, hockey, and football. He studied at various post-secondary institutions, including the University of Calgary, SAIT Polytechnic, and Griffith University, located in Brisbane, Australia. Gary has a marketing degree and completed his bachelor's degree in journalism at Griffith University. He feels strongly that life experience is as essential as post-secondary education, helping formulate more accurate predictions and analyses. Gary believes that competing at a high level of amateur sports during his formative years helped him better understand an athlete's psyche and the nuances and complexities of a team's dynamic, both on and off the playing surface. He feels that knowledge is immeasurably important when offering his analytical expertise. He has lived on five continents and currently resides in Canada.