Toronto Maple Leafs - San Jose Sharks predictions and free betting tips [10/01/2024]

The Toronto Maple Leafs will host the San Jose Sharks in an exciting regular NHL championship showdown tomorrow morning.

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs are showcasing consistent performance with a three-match win streak under their belt. They've emerged victorious against the Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim, and, most notably, San Jose with a sound 4:1 score. Swedish forward William Nylander has been pivotal for the team, clocking 54 points in a 37 game season, making it one of the club's standout records. Auston Matthews is also contributing significantly with 45 points, including 30 goals and 15 assists. Mitch Marner and John Tavares are lending their fervent support in the attack with 40 and 34 points, respectively, amassing a combined total of 7 points in the last two matches.

Toronto's goaltending position continues to fluctuate. Initially considered the primary goalkeeper, Ilya Samsonov has been relegated to the AHL and placed on waivers. Joseph Wall is currently out due to injury. The designated primary goaltender is Martin Jones, who has been delivering a solid performance, with 2.73 average goals against per game and a save percentage of 91.6%.

The big news for the Maple Leafs is that William Nylander has signed an eight-year contract with Toronto for a whopping $92 million. Nylander scored two goals and provided an assist in the match against San Jose, securing a triumphant 4:1 victory. He has a stellar 21 goals, 33 assists, and 54 points this season. The contract extension has been a pivotal moment in the season, with Nylander scoring 4 goals and supplying 2 assists in the last three matches. The team is returning from a three-match road trip across California, during which Martin Jones served as goaltender in all three games.

San Jose Sharks

The San Jose Sharks suffered a 4:1 defeat in their last encounter with the Toronto Maple Leafs. In the first period, Maple Leafs had a conspicuous advantage with 18 shots on goal versus San Jose's 3. However, only one goal was netted by Toronto. It's proved to be a fraught season for San Jose, riddled with challenges as indicated by their team stats – 9 wins, 26 losses, and 3 draws. The Sharks are currently in the grip of a gruelling 10-match losing streak.

Their attack and defence are taking a hit, averaging 1.98 goals for and 3.99 goals against per game, marking the league's worst record. Tomas Hertl is a notable exception in the Sharks' roster with 12 goals and 15 assists. Goaltending remains a problem area. Mackenzie Blackwood, with a record of 4-15-2, 3.92 average goals against, and 88.9% save percentage, is being considered as a starter, but other options, including Khrona, are being reviewed.

Injuries to key players like Ferraro, Benning, McDonald, Sturm, and Couture have left the team hamstrung. The squad has many young Russian players like Knyzhov, Okhotiuk, Gushin, and Barabanov, though their input hasn’t significantly influenced the results. In 10 and 27 matches respectively, Knyzhov and Okhotiuk have made 1 and 6 assists, Gushin has 1 assist in two matches, and Barabanov has scored 1 goal and made 4 assists in 17 matches. Forward Logan Couture, who was ruled out due to a lower-body injury, is close to recovery but isn't expected to participate in the upcoming match. Couture will be with the team during the five-match road trip.

Head-to-Head 

The Canadians boast 2 consecutive victories with scores 4:1 and 3:1.

Staking on the Toronto Maple Leafs vs. San Jose Sharks Match

The Maple Leafs are aiming for their fourth consecutive victory, while the Sharks from San Jose are determined to break their losing spree. The Sharks are going through a challenging period, having lost 11 matches in a row, all in regulation time. Sharks' coach David Quinn has expressed frustration over the team's performance, underscoring regular mistakes and the necessity for more effective and consistent play. He harked back to previous losing streaks, including a dismal season start resulting in 0-10-1. He believes the last match was a missed opportunity, yet one of their best in the last 10 matches. The Sharks haven't suffered more than 11 losses in one season since the 1992-93 season. The losing streak may not end today, but at some point, the Sharks need to catch a break. I'll risk a + handicap.