The Toronto Maple Leafs are home to host the Pittsburgh Penguins for a 4:00 p.m. local start on Tuesday, following a disasterous three-game road trip.
The pregame narrative: Toronto went 0-3 on the road, while getting outscored 14-4. The Maple Leafs now sit last in the Atlantic Division and are one point behind the Penguins in the league-wide standings. Toronto is favoured in today's matchup with an over/under of 6 goals.
Check out my Penguins vs. Maple Leafs prop picks for Dec. 23, featuring Sidney Crosby and William Nylander.
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Penguins vs. Maple Leafs prop picks
Best Bet: Crosby over 2.5 shots (+110)
Toronto has had highs and lows during the first three months of this season, but the peaks have largely been because of elite goaltending.
The Maple Leafs' defence has been consistently awful, meaning things can get ugly once the goaltending falls off. Just look at what happened over their recent road trip.
- Toronto allowed 14 goals on 85 shots.
- On the season, the Maple Leafs allow the most shot attempts (63.3) and the second-most shots (30.72) on a 60-minute basis.
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Teams have been teeing off on Toronto's goalies all year, and I think Crosby and Co. will do the same today.
The future Hall of Famer hasn't slowed down in his 21st season. He ranks seventh in goals (20) and is averaging 2.4 shots per game, which is right in line with this number.
Key stat: Crosby had four shots and two points when he played the Maple Leafs on Nov. 29.
Best NHL prop picks
Nylander over 2.5 shots (+145): What in the Elias Pettersson is happening to Nylander?
The Swede's powers seem to have been zapped since the start of December, as he has just four points (all assists) in 10 games.
That came after a red-hot start, where he logged 11 goals and 32 points in October and November.
-> Bet on Nylander at NorthStar Bets
Nylander isn't playing with a ton of confidence right now, but I can't pass on his shot total when it's priced like this.
He's only 3-7 against this line in his last 10, but he averaged north of three shots per game last year and draws a favourable matchup.
Pittsburgh allows the 13th-most shot attempts on a 60-minute basis. Nylander is 6-3 against this line in his last nine games against Pittsburgh.
Penguins vs. Maple Leafs prop picks made at 10:36 a.m. ET Dec. 23, 2025.
