One of the NHL’s oldest rivalries adds another chapter as the Toronto Maple Leafs head to the Big Apple to take on the New York Rangers. These two historic franchises have struggled to find recent success, with the Maple Leafs’ infamous Stanley Cup drought approaching 60 years. Whenever the Maple Leafs visit NYC, it draws the attention of the hockey world, and this matchup is no exception.
The New York Rangers are playing with extra intensity as they push for a playoff spot, while the Maple Leafs aim to keep their momentum rolling with the postseason right around the corner. Two points could prove crucial for both teams in their quest for the Stanley Cup, making this the perfect matchup for your NHL predictions. The season series is tied at one apiece, and it’s all to play for on Thursday night.
Matchup: Leafs vs Rangers Overview
- Teams: Toronto Maple Leafs at New York Rangers
- Date: Thursday, March 20th, 2025
- Time: Puck drop is at 7:00 PM EST
- Venue: Madison Square Garden in New York, NY
Win Probabilities:
The win probabilities for this showdown give a slight edge to the home team. Toronto has been playing some of its best hockey over the last month but still has been given a 45.07% chance to win. Meanwhile, the Rangers are desperate for every point they can get and have a 54.93% chance to defend their home ice en route to a crucial victory at Madison Square Garden.
Projected Final Score:
The projected final score for the Maple Leafs vs. Rangers clash is in. Toronto is playing on the second night of a back-to-back, and their tired legs are expected to catch up to them with the projected final score being New York Rangers 3-2 Toronto Maple Leafs.
Leafs vs Rangers Odds
The Toronto Maple Leafs enter this matchup as road underdogs against the New York Rangers, according to NHL odds. Toronto is in a strong position to make the playoffs, while New York trails the Ottawa Senators by just one point for the final Wild Card spot. With desperation a key factor, oddsmakers have leaned in favor of the Rangers.
For total goals, both of the previous meetings between these teams finished with exactly five goals, but the total is slightly higher for their third and final meeting of the season.
| Toronto Maple Leafs | New York Rangers | |
| Moneyline | +100 | -140 |
| Puck Line | +1.5 (-250) | -1.5 (+171) |
| Total | Over 5.5 Goals (-134) | Under 5.5 Goals (-106) |
Expert Prediction: Who Wins?
Why the Toronto Maple Leafs Could Win
Toronto has beaten the Rangers in five of their last eight meetings, including a 3-2 win at Madison Square Garden just three weeks ago. Goaltending has long been the Leafs’ Achilles’ heel, but they finally have a tandem capable of matching Igor Shesterkin’s dominance in the crease. These matchups have traditionally been low-scoring, with four of the last seven meetings ending with exactly five goals.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are poised to finally break their playoff curse and are in the race for the Atlantic crown for the first time in decades. While expectations have always been high in Toronto, this is the first time they have a legitimate shot at securing the top seed—and the favorable first-round matchup that comes with it. The expected edge in motivation for the Rangers has evaporated, as both teams are desperate for a win at this stage of the season.
For all the talk about defense and goaltending, the Leafs’ success still hinges on their ‘Core Four’ stepping up in big moments. Auston Matthews had a lackluster Four Nations tournament, but he has been steadily finding the net for Toronto over the last month. Mitch Marner continues to serve as the team’s primary playmaker, while William Nylander remains a scoring threat at any moment. Toronto is simply the more complete team, and with the Rangers dropping six of their last 10 games, the Leafs’ momentum should carry them to victory.
Why the New York Rangers Could Win
The New York Rangers must push the pace in the opening frame if they want to defy the NHL odds with a statement victory. Toronto is coming off a tough game against the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday, and fatigue could play a role in New York. The Rangers were embarrassed by the Calgary Flames in their last game after being outshot 35-13 on home ice.
New York has the goaltender they need to make a deep run and a dynamic scorer in Artemi Panarin, but the supporting cast has struggled. “The Breadman” is the only player to eclipse 50 points this season, leading the team in goals (30) and points (73). Their top d-man, Adam Fox is a reliable option on defense, but the Rangers need more offensive production beyond their top stars. J.T. Miller has shown promise since arriving in New York, but he is still working to build chemistry with his new teammates. The Rangers must play with maximum effort and hope to outwork the Leafs to keep their faint playoff hopes alive.
How to Make Toronto Maple Leafs vs New York Rangers Picks
Sportzino is the top destination for free NHL predictions on the New York Rangers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs matchup, along with every other NHL game this season. Sportzino provides the best NHL odds, offering a wide variety of options for your NHL, NBA, NFL, MLB, UFC, F1, boxing, and soccer predictions. Additionally, the expert picks and insights can help guide your NHL predictions for this Original Six showdown.
