Maple Leafs vs. Rangers Prediction: Our Best Picks & Player Props for Tonight's NHL Game

The New York Rangers will try to keep their postseason push going while hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs at Madison Square Garden in New York on Friday (7 p.m. ET, NHL Network).

The Maple Leafs have put together the sixth-best record since Dec. 31 (14-7-0), while the Rangers aren't far behind. The Blueshirts are 11-5-2 since Jan. 9, and they sit just four points shy of a playoff berth with a game in hand. 

Igor Shesterkin has been rebounding since a dud against Buffalo last week, and likely Maple Leafs' starter Joseph Woll has been consistently playing well on the road. That's why our Maple Leafs vs. Rangers prediction predicts a low-scoring affair.

Maple Leafs vs. Rangers predictions, expert picks & best bets today

Here are my best Maple Leafs vs. Rangers predictions, expert picks, and best bets tonight with my pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale. Be sure to check out the rest of our NHL picks along with our guide on how to bet on the NHL.

🚨 Game pick: Under 6.5 goals (-140 via Betway) Maple Leafs vs. Rangers ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🚨 My best player prop pick: Auston Matthews Over 0.5 assists (+110 via Betway) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

My best Maple Leafs vs. Rangers pick & score prediction

I'm predicting the Maple Leafs will beat the Rangers in a game that hits the under on the 6.5 total. 

🏒 Under 6.5 goals ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Rangers have Shesterkin to thank for their two-game win streak. Against the Penguins in Pittsburgh, Shesterkin finished with 2.31 goals saved above expected. The Pens shelled his goal, firing 40 shots, while the Blueshirts mustered just 16 in the 5-3 win. 

The former Vezina Trophy winner followed that performance with an even better one against the New York Islanders, turning aside 36 of 37 shots and finishing with 2.51 goals saved above expected. His team scored five goals on 18 shots, epitomizing an opportunistic if not lucky, hockey club. 

I expect the Rangers to provide their overworked goaltender more support against the Buds.

Either way, Shesterkin is in the zone. Yes, it's a small sample size, but it makes sense for him to be stirred awake, like a bee nest after a disturbance, on the back of allowing five goals on 16 shots against Buffalo earlier in the week. 

Craig Berube has been alternating his goaltenders recently, and I expect the same on Friday, with Woll the likely starter. Woll has been a pillar of strength on the road, winning eight of his last 11 in hostile environments. He's 6-3-0 since Jan. 16, sporting a .912 save percentage and a 2.58 goals-against average. 

I don't expect any drop-off if Craig Berube turns to Anthony Stolarz, a luxury few other coaches have. 

Best odds: -140 via Betway (bet $10 to win $7.14)

Up To $250 First Bet Reset

Terms and conditions apply.

Play Now

🎯 Final score prediction: Maple Leafs 3, Rangers 2

J.T. Miller missed practice on Thursday due to an illness, Adam Fox is out, and Chris Kreider's availability is unclear. Even if Kreider and Miller play, I doubt they'll be back to their best. Chris Tanev's injury is a significant loss for the Maple Leafs, but the team, among the Stanley Cup odds favorites, is chugging along confidently. I'm predicting a 3-2 Maple Leafs victory, making it four in a row.

Correct score odds: +1400 via Betway (bet $10 to win $140)

Best Maple Leafs vs. Rangers player prop bet

Here is my best Maple Leafs vs. Rangers player prop bet tonight. You can also check out our NEW NHL player prop odds tool for the latest NHL odds on any market across legal sportsbooks in your region.  

💰 Auston Matthews Over 0.5 assists ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Matthews has been an assist machine lately, both with the Maple Leafs and Team USA. He has nine apples in the last seven games with the Buds, notching at least one helper in six of the previous seven. I also like his chances of scoring in this one, given his recent success against the Blueshirts.

Matthews tallied eight points (five goals, three assists) in the previous four games against the Rangers and exploded for four points the last time he graced Madison Square Garden with his presence.  

Best odds: +110 via Betway (bet $10 to win $11)

📊 Maple Leafs vs. Rangers odds

Here are the latest odds for Maple Leafs vs. Rangers via Betway.

🚑 Maple Leafs vs. Rangers injuries

Here is the latest injury report for Maple Leafs vs. Rangers, which updates in real time.

📺 How to watch Maple Leafs vs. Rangers tonight

📅 Date: Friday, Feb. 28
🕗 Time: 7 p.m. ET
📍 Location: Madison Square Garden (New York)
📺 TV: NHL Network
💻 Streaming: Fubo

❓ Leafs vs. Rangers FAQs

Who is favored to win Maple Leafs vs. Rangers?

The Maple Leafs are the -120 favorites when they visit Madison Square Garden on Friday, with the Rangers the +100 underdogs. 

What are the odds for Maple Leafs vs. Rangers?

The total is set at 5.5 goals. The Over is -140, and the Under +110.  

What time is Maple Leafs vs. Rangers tonight?

The Maple Leafs vs. Rangers game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Feb. 28. 

🥅 Best NHL betting sites

Looking to bet on the NHL tonight? Here are our best NHL betting sites as determined by our expert team at Sportsbook Review, along with our best sportsbook promos ahead of tonight's game.

• Caesars Promo Code: SBRBONUSDYW | Read our Caesars Review
• BetMGM Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetMGM Review
• bet365 Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our bet365 Review
• FanDuel Promo Code | Read our FanDuel Review
• DraftKings Promo Code | Read our DraftKings Review

(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.

Not intended for use in MA.
Each betting site featured on SBR has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.