The 2021-22 NHL season is underway, and it comes with a heightened sense of excitement. Mobile betting is now available in Ontario. A few sportsbooks are live, while a number of additional sports betting apps will be launching in the coming months.
The Maple Leafs are a big part of Toronto’s sports landscape. They figure to be a key part of the Toronto sports betting market. Because of their popularity, it’s worth taking a closer look at the betting side of things for the Maple Leafs this season.
Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Outlook
With a talented roster consisting of stars like Auston Matthews, John Tavares, and Mitch Marner, expectations are high for the Leafs in 2021-22.
In last year’s shortened regular season, the Maple Leafs tallied 77 points in 56 games. Toronto was later bounced in the first round of the playoffs after holding a 3-1 series lead over the Montreal Canadiens. Head coach Sheldon Keefe is looking to get his team over the hump this season.
Matthews missed the first three games recovering from offseason wrist surgery, and his presence was missed. The Rocket Richard Trophy winner led the league with 41 goals in 52 games last season. Since his return, he has a goal and an assist in five games. The offense has not been clicking, and it has led to a bit of a slow start out of the gate.
At the beginning of the season, Toronto’s listed point total for the year was 105.5 (OV -110, UN -110) for a full 82-game schedule. Eight games in, the Leafs have a record of 3-4-1 and have picked up seven points. Because of the below-average start, their point total for the season has dropped down to 102.5 on DraftKings (OV -110, UN -110).
Oddsmakers still like Toronto’s chances at having a strong season, as they are listed at -600 odds to make the playoffs on DraftKings. In addition, the Maple Leafs are +1200 to win the Presidents’ Trophy, +360 to win the Atlantic Division, +550 to win the Eastern Conference, and +1100 to win the Stanley Cup.
Player Awards
Matthews led the league in goals last season, and thus won the Rocket Richard Award. However, he lost out on the Hart Trophy (MVP) to Edmonton’s Connor McDavid. Looking for another big year, the Hart Trophy is an attainable goal for Matthews. Oddsmakers agree, as he is currently listed fourth in Hart Trophy odds at +1200. He trails only McDavid (+150), Nathan MacKinnon (+750), and Leon Draisaitl (+900).
If Matthews does win the award, it would be historic. Toronto has not had a Hart Trophy winner since Ted Kennedy in 1954-55.
Goaltender Jack Campbell provided a spark in net for the Maple Leafs last season. The young net minder posted a strong 17-3-2 record in 22 starts while posting a .921 save percentage and 2.15 goals against average. So far in 2021-22, Campbell is 3-2-1 with a .918 SV% 2.31 GAA. He is +2000 to win the Vezina Trophy, which goes to the league’s best goaltender.
Defenseman Morgan Reilly is +2000 to win the Norris Trophy, rookie Michael Bunting is +1800 to win the Calder Trophy, and head coach Sheldon Keefe is +2200 to win the Jack Adams Award.
Be sure to keep an eye on the odds as the season goes along.
