Jets Host the Leafs as Top Teams in the North Collide Wednesday Night

Wed, Mar 31, 2021
By Jim Vassallo (Veri.bet Writer)

The Winnipeg Jets (22-12-2, 2nd in the North) host the Toronto Maple Leafs (22-10-3, 1st in the North) on Wednesday, March 31, at 7:30 PM ET.

The North Division features three teams separated by just two points when you include the third-place Edmonton Oilers. The Maple Leafs come into tonight's game with 47 points, the Jets have 46, and the Oilers have 45.

The injury list is almost non-existent as Rasmus Sandin is listed as unavailable for the Maple Leafs tonight due to a foot injury. The Jets have not included any players on the injured list.

These teams are scheduled to play 10 times during the regular season and have already met four times. The series is tied at two games apiece. The only game that did not result in seven total goals scored was the first of the series, which ended at 3-1 in favor of the Maple Leafs.

Toronto is just 4-5-1 in the last 10 games, while Winnipeg is 6-4-0.

The Maple Leafs had a three-game win streak snapped when they fell to the Edmonton Oilers 3-2 in overtime on Monday. It was the final time these teams will tussle in the regular season. Toronto won the series 6-3.

The game-winner came off the stick of Darnell Nurse just 17 seconds into the overtime period for the Oilers. It was his 12th goal of the season, which is tops in the league for defensemen.

“We knew what we were capable of,” Nurse said. “A big win for us. We look at the body of work. Obviously, we have those three games where they smoked us on home ice. The six (other) games we played tight, played hard. That’s more indicative of our play and how we are as a team. We have a lot of confidence.”

The Jets come into tonight's division contest having won four of five, including a decisive 5-1 win over the Calgary Flames on Monday.

Mark Scheifele tallied two goals for the Jets, while Nate Thompson, Andrew Copp, and Pierre-Luc Dubois added the other three goals.

“You’ve got two skilled fast guys like Nik and K.C., you’ve got to keep your speed going,” Scheifele said. “Let them get going and get roaming around in the offensive zone."

“When you play with Wheels and Stas, they’re both such smart players. You just make the simple plays over and over and over and that’s how we get success. Two very different lines, but obviously four very talented players that you’re playing with. It’s fun no matter who you’re playing with on this team.”

The Over-Under is set at six total goals for the Jets and Maple Leafs on Wednesday night. The visiting Maple Leafs are -1.5-point favorites and have a -145 money line. As close as this series has been, we see Toronto taking the victory on the road and increasing their slight lead in the North Division. Put your money down on the Maple Leafs and the -1.5 spread.