Wednesday’s NHL slate is a light one but brings plenty of intrigue. The Flyers have been fantastic early on this season, but there are valid questions about whether that success will sustain. They’ll visit the Maple Leafs who are already feeling pressure from local and national hockey media after a tough West Coast road trip. The Penguins are looking to end a 5-game slide as they visit a Sabres team that is playing great out of the gates this season. This 2-game slate should bring plenty of action!
If you are looking to combine some picks from these games, check out these two parlay picks that have +752 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Toronto Maple Leafs -1.5 (-135) over Philadelphia Flyers
There is a lot of overreaction out there about the Maple Leafs going winless in their 4-game, West Coast road trip. Despite the 4 losses, Toronto collected 2 points and were 2 shots away from collecting 4 of 8 points. The 2-goal regulation losses in that stretch came to the Kings, who were a playoff team earlier this calendar year, and the Golden Knights, who have the NHL's 2nd best win percentage early on this season. The glass half full of the Leafs' past week is that it really wasn't that bad.
There is a lot of outside noise that Toronto will be anxious to silence. Even though this is just the 11th game of Toronto's season, they will come out with plenty of added urgency. They will host a Flyers team that will be on the second of road back to backs having played the Rangers Tuesday night. Philadelphia has exceeded expectations early. But playing a deeper, better team for the second night in a row on the road does not bode well for the Flyers in this game. Water will find its level with both of these teams. A stronger Leafs team with a chip on their shoulder and an extra day rest does not look good for the Flyers.