Toronto Maple Leafs vs New York Islanders Prediction, 1/3/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Toronto Maple Leafs vs New York Islanders

Date: Saturday, January 3, 2026

Location: UBS Arena in Elmont, NY

TV: MSG Sportsnet

Odds/Point Spread: Maple Leafs (+106) Islanders (-128)

The New York Islanders (22-14-4) will try to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs (18-15-6) at UBS Arena on Saturday. The odds on this game have Toronto at +106 while New York is coming in at -128. The betting total is set at 6.5.

The Toronto Maple Leafs were on the winning side of the scoreboard with a 4-0 victory over the Devils their last time out. Toronto accrued 11 penalty minutes for this contest. The Maple Leafs had a good offensive performance and it was apparent in the victory. They also had 3 opportunities with more players on the ice and were able to net 1 goal. For the game, they were able to notch a goal on 4 of the 30 shots they put on goal.

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When playing at even strength, the Maple Leafs have allowed 112 goals while getting 112 themselves. Toronto Maple Leafs opponents have earned 101 power play opportunities (30th in pro hockey) and have racked up 16 goals in those chances. When talking about their scoring capabilities, the Toronto Maple Leafs have notched 128 goals (9th in the National Hockey League) for the season and have given up 128. Toronto has attempted 1,061 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 12.1%. For the season, they have earned 42 points and their points percentage is .538. The Maple Leafs have seen 1,219 shots taken against them and have earned a save percentage of .895. Toronto comes into the game with 100 power play chances and they have added 16 goals out of those tries, earning them a percentage of 16.00%.

Protecting the goal for this matchup will be Joseph Woll. Opponents have racked up 240 goals versus Woll in his pro hockey career and his goals against average per contest is 2.73. Woll has been involved in 91 matchups throughout his NHL career. His save percentage is at .912 in his 4,165 mins played. He has accumulated a record of 56-31-3 and he was named the starter in 88 games. Over the course of his pro career, Woll has 55 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .625. Woll has seen 2,718 shots taken against him and has recorded 2,478 saves.

The last time they were on the ice, New York went up against the Blackhawks in a game where the Islanders got the tie by a mark of 2-2. They had 3 power play attempts in this outing and converted 1 out of those opportunities. The Islanders notched 2 goals of the 21 shots on goal they were seeking.

New York has tried 1,127 shots (13th in the NHL) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 9.76%, while allowing their opponents 1,133 shots. They have a penalty kill rate of 82.14% on their opponents 112 power play opportunities, and their save percentage comes in at 90.6%. They have earned 126 chances on the power play and they have accumulated a power play rate of 15.87%. The Islanders have 90 goals at even strength and 20 goals (23rd in pro hockey) while on the power play. They have permitted 106 goals to be scored by way of 86 goals at even strength and 20 goals while they had less men on the ice. On the year, the New York Islanders have a total of 110 goals, 48 points, in addition to a points percentage of .600.

On the other side of the ice you are likely to see David Rittich protecting the goal. Rittich has a career record of 118-75-28 and has participated in 246 games. Rittich's quality start percentage is 55.5% and he has 122 quality starts in his professional career. He has accrued 5,853 saves out of 6,469 shots attempted, giving him a save % of .905. His opposition is averaging 2.80 goals per game and he has allowed 616 goals altogether. He has been a starter 220 contests and has accumulated 12,231 minutes.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Guy's Pick: Take New York (-128)

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