Monday Night Hockey on Prime continues today with an Eastern Conference matchup featuring the Toronto Maple Leafs hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025-26 season.
Monday Night Hockey: Penguins vs Maple Leafs
2024-25 Season Head-to-Head: Penguins 1-1 Maple Leafs
Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
How to Watch:
U.S. TV: Sportsnet Pittsburgh; NHL Network
Canada TV: Prime (Canada)
Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
We have an Eastern Conference game between the Penguins and Maple Leafs in this round of NHL predictions. Both the Penguins and Maple Leafs are defying expectations, but for different reasons. Many had Pittsburgh as a team that would struggle. However, new head coach Dan Muse has the club playing well. The Penguins are second in the Metropolitan Division heading into Sunday’s games.
Toronto is still searching to find an identity after an off-season of change. The Maple Leafs said goodbye to Mitch Marner and have yet to fill the void on the scoresheet. There are always expectations for the Maple Leafs, but the pressure is on after missing out on the Eastern Conference Final by one game.
Pittsburgh is coming off a 5-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, while Toronto is coming off its own 5-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday night. In this edition of NHL predictions, let’s take a look at the stats and storylines going into this edition of Monday Night Hockey on Prime Video.
The Penguins Story
Several experts had predicted that the Penguins would struggle as a team this season. However, Pittsburgh has gotten off to a solid start with an offence that scores an average of 3.54 goals per game. However, it’s been the Penguins’ defence that has helped turn things around. Pittsburgh gives up only 2.62 goals per game. That statistic is good enough to be tied for fifth entering Sunday’s games.
Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby are continuing to defy time with some vintage performances so far this campaign. Malkin is the team’s leader in assists (15) and points (18). Crosby is tops on the team’s goal-scoring charts with nine this season. Justin Brazeau has been a welcome addition with six goals and 12 points in his first season with Pittsburgh.
Tristan Jarry is the expected starter, but always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. Jarry was placed on waivers last season, but has a 2.35 goals-against-average and a .923 save percentage.
The Maple Leafs Story
Toronto has been wildly inconsistent at times this campaign. The Maple Leafs have looked great in wins against the Montreal Canadiens to start the campaign. However, the Leafs have taken some puzzling losses at the start of the season.
John Tavares has turned back the clock as well, as he’s the team’s leader in points (16). The former captain is also tied with the current captain, Auston Matthews, for first in goals with six.
William Nylander has missed the last few games, but he still has the lead in assists with 12. He’s tied with Matthew Knies for the second-most points on the team with 15.
Anthony Stolarz is expected to get the start for Toronto. He’s 4-4-1 with an .893 save percentage and 3.13 GAA.
Predictions
Both teams can score goals, but will need their defensive units to stand tall. Pittsburgh has gotten some solid performances from its blueline group. However, Toronto has been inconsistent on the back end.
We could have the makings of a high-scoring game with plenty of high-end talent. However, Pittsburgh skates away with the victory.
Prediction: Penguins win 5-3.
Prop Bets of the Night
We round out this Monday Night Hockey edition of NHL predictions with some prop bets of the night. The over/under for the Penguins and Maple Leafs is 6.5, and we like the over in this game.
As for individual props, go with Malkin to get a power-play point for the Penguins. On the Maple Leafs’ side of things, go with Tavares to get the over on 0.5 points.
Main photo by: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
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The post Prime Monday Night Hockey: Pittsburgh Penguins vs Toronto Maple Leafs appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.