TheToronto Maple Leafs Fans have been hoping and longing for a significant victory, especially as many of them have invested their support over the years atOntario betting sites , aiming to reclaim the coveted Stanley Cup. Despite boasting a 13-time NHL championship history, the team has not clinched a title since 1967 and hasn't even graced the finals since then.
Loyal supporters of the Leafs are undoubtedly asking: Will this finally be the year they break their drought? The 2022-23 season marked a positive turn for the franchise, highlighted by their first-round playoff win against the Tampa Bay Lightning, marking their first postseason advancement since 2004.
Here's an analysis of key statistics that highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the Maple Leafs from last season, providing insight into areas where improvement is needed for them to capture the Stanley Cup after a 57-year wait. As of Tuesday afternoon, theFanDuel Ontario Sportsbook offers +1100 odds on the Leafs winning the Cup, representing one of the more favorable betting opportunities among authorized sports betting platforms in the region.
Do Better In Tight Games
The Leafs had a respectable performance in one-goal games last season, achieving a .583 win rate, which placed them tied for eighth in the league. However, their record in two-goal games was disappointing, with a .364 win percentage. Only seven teams fared worse in this category, and all of them failed to qualify for the playoffs. In stark contrast, the Boston Bruins, who set a league record with 135 points during the regular season, topped both the one-goal (.676) and two-goal (.900) games categories. Puckline betting remains one of the most popular options atOntario sportsbook apps – this betting style allows participants to either take a 1.5 goal advantage or concede a 1.5 goal deficit in any matchup.
Keep Winning Faceoffs
It's quite logical that winning a higher number of faceoffs leads to greater puck control, subsequently resulting in improved offensive production and defensive play. Toronto excelled in this department last season, finishing fourth in faceoff wins with a percentage of 53.1%. Among 80 players league-wide who took at least 820 faceoffs (averaging 10 each game per team) during the 2022-23 season, Leafs center John Tavares ranked seventh with a win rate of 58.3%. Newer player Max Domi also performed admirably, winning 53.7% of his 950 faceoffs during the season, slightly outperforming returning centers Auston Matthews (52.4%) and David Kampf (51.5%). Currently, atBetMGM Ontario Sportsbook , the Leafs are given +600 odds to emerge victorious in the Eastern Conference.
Get Elite Goaltending
It's been a considerable time since Toronto boasted top-tier goaltending, and the previous season illustrated this point. Ilya Samsonov achieved an impressive .919 save percentage in 2022-23, which placed him seventh among goalies who played at least 30 games. It will be intriguing to see whether Joseph Woll takes over some of the playtime from Samsonov. Woll, who is 25 years old, played four playoff matches for Toronto last season, only conceding three goals at most in any game, although the Leafs did suffer two overtime losses against the Florida Panthers during his starts. Presently, atDraftKings Ontario Sportsbook , the Leafs have an over/under target of 105.5 points for the season, with both the over and under sitting at -115 odds.
Make Up For Lost Physicality
The Leafs parted ways with the league's top hitter of the 2022-23 season, defenseman Luke Schenn, who made 318 hits before signing with Nashville. They've also lost Noel Acciari, who is now with the Pittsburgh Penguins, ranking tenth in the league with 244 hits. While hits aren't the sole indicator of physicality, new forward Ryan Reaves (who recorded 196 hits in 73 games with the Rangers and Wild last season) is expected to help fill the void of toughness. Although Domi is the son of former Leafs enforcer Tie Domi, he does not replicate his father's style of play. Last season, the younger Domi logged just 22 hits and racked up 82 penalty minutes throughout the season, a figure that would equate to an average month for his father. An exciting game that is sure to energize fans is the upcoming opener on Wednesday against their long-standing rivals, the Montreal Canadiens.NorthStar Bets Ontario Sportsbook lists the Leafs as a -295 moneyline favorite, or bettors can opt for the -1.5 puckline on Toronto at -112 odds.
Keep Cranking On Power Play
Toronto excelled with the second-best power play in the league during the 2022-23 season, achieving a 26% success rate. Only the Edmonton Oilers, featuring superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, performed better with a 32.4% success rate. Tavares netted 18 goals during power plays last season, tying for sixth across the league, with Matthews contributing 13. This is another area where Domi's addition can make an impact; last season he recorded a career-high eight power-play goals while playing for the Dallas Stars and Chicago Blackhawks.
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