The Toronto Maple Leafs are set to face off against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on Sunday, February 23, at 7:00 PM EST. This matchup marks the first of seven games on the Maple Leafs' road trip as they aim for playoff positioning against the struggling Blackhawks, who sit last in the Central Division.
The Maple Leafs (34-20-2) are hot on the heels of the Atlantic Division leaders, merely one point behind with two games in hand on the Florida Panthers. Conversely, the Blackhawks (17-32-7) are struggling with consistency, currently on the bottom tier of their division.
After coming off a solid 6-3 victory against the Carolina Hurricanes where team captain Auston Matthews had impactful participation, the Maple Leafs look to maintain momentum. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks are reeling from two consecutive losses, including last night's 5-1 defeat to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Both teams played back-to-back games, which means fatigue could play a role, particularly for Chicago, who have lost eight of their last ten games. This is alarming, especially as they prepare for another challenging opponent like the Maple Leafs. Historically, they have had some success against Toronto, having swept the season series last year, but this season's outlook heavily favors the Maple Leafs.
Fans should pay especially close attention to Auston Matthews, who leads the Leafs with 3.97 shots per game. He's cleared the Over on his shooting total of 3.5 shots in seven of his last nine outings. His performance has been particularly strong against the Blackhawks throughout his career, with Matthews collecting 20 points over 15 games and averaging 4.6 shots per meeting. Given the Blackhawks’ recent defensive weaknesses—ranked 30th allowing 31.6 shots per game—the conditions look ripe for Matthews to make his mark.
On the flip side, the offense of the Blackhawks is spearheaded by promising young talent Connor Bedard, alongside veteran Ryan Donato. The dynamics of this matchup highlight not only star power but also the potential for many scoring opportunities. Toronto will need to exploit Chicago's vulnerabilities early on to avoid getting caught in another unwanted upset.
With this game serving as both teams' third meeting this season, the Leafs previously secured their first win against the Hawks at Scotiabank Arena with a convincing 4-1 result on December 2, 2024. Despite this prior victory, it’s worth noting the Blackhawks' edge over the Leafs historically, having won three of the last five encounters.
Betting lines offer some insight, with the Maple Leafs positioned as the clear favorites (-249). The Blackhawks, meanwhile, have struggled against teams with similar odds, recording just 30.2% upsets this season. Analysts lean heavily toward the Maple Leafs winning this encounter, especially considering their recent form which includes 9 wins out of their last 12 road games and a +15 goal differential, showcasing their capable offense.
It's also pertinent to mention both teams' injury lists. The Maple Leafs will be without Calle Jarnkrok and Jani Hakanpaa, both on injured reserve, which means lineup adjustments may be needed. On the Blackhawks end, goaltender Laurent Brossoit on IR may affect their performance against the potent Maple Leafs attack.
This upcoming game could serve as pivotal for the Leafs as they seek to solidify their playoff prospects. A victory not only keeps them on track to challenge for the Atlantic Division title but also sets the tone for the tougher games on their road trip.
With many factors at play—from player performances to recent team trends—expect entertainment as hockey fans gear up for what should be an exhilarating matchup. Will the experience and talent of the Maple Leafs shine through, or can the Blackhawks pull off another historic upset? One thing is for sure, this game is not one to miss.