Adam Williams presents his prediction for the NHL match.
Thanks to two wins, the Toronto Maple Leafs jumped from last place in the conference to the first wild-card spot — such is the congestion in the East. It will be difficult to stay there, as the Utah Mammoth, firmly playoff-bound, have arrived to face them.
Toronto Maple Leafs
However, it cannot be said that everything is going well for the Toronto Maple Leafs. They have already conceded 47 goals — the third-worst figure in the conference. So far, the team are compensating with a powerful offence: they have scored exactly the same number. Accordingly, the previous eight games for the team finished with Over 5.5 goals. Even Anthony Stolarz (3.12) cannot save them. He simply needs rest, and there is no full-fledged backup.
Utah Mammoth
At the Utah Mammoth there is also a clear division between the first and second goaltender, but both the main goaltender Karel Vejmelka (2.60 in 10 games) and the backup Vitek Vanecek have conceded an average of exactly two goals in three matches. For example, in the first away game of this trip, Vejmelka stopped 17 of 18 shots in just over 60 minutes, and the team won in overtime against the Buffalo Sabres (2:1). Even if Vanecek plays, he is also capable of something similar: in his last game, the Czech saved 93.3% of shots and, together with his teammates, stopped the Winnipeg Jets in Manitoba (3:2).
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Utah Mammoth Prediction
So the Utah Mammoth are not without reason holding on in the top three of the West. Five wins in eight away games, as well as a confidence-inspiring pair of goaltenders, make us want to back the visitors to win or draw.
