New York Rangers vs Toronto Maple Leafs Picks and Predictions for Thursday October 22 2026
Toronto put six goals past Columbus Tuesday night. Jack Roslovic had three points, Kirill Marchenko scored, and the Maple Leafs finally looked like a team that could make somebody pay for leaving a little open ice. They’ve won two straight now. That ought to quiet things down around Toronto for at least a day or two.
New York isn’t coming in looking for sympathy. The Rangers beat Anaheim 5-2 on Monday, Oliver Bjorkstrand scored twice, and they’ve been winning games with good goaltending and a penalty kill that’s been downright nasty. Toronto has the bigger names up front. New York has been the steadier team in its own end. That’s what makes this one interesting.
The Rangers visit Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Thursday, October 22, 2026. Puck drop is at 7:00 PM ET. The Maple Leafs are around -129 on the moneyline, with New York at +108 and the total at 6.5 goals. You can find more predictions in our free NHL picks.
New York Rangers Have Been Getting It Done In Net
New York is 7-3-1 after beating Anaheim 5-2. The Rangers have had a couple of rough nights, including that 7-1 loss to New Jersey, but they’ve done a good job putting those games behind them. Bjorkstrand’s two goals against the Ducks were a nice reminder that this team has more than one way to score. They don’t need the same guy carrying the offense every night.
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The Rangers have scored 33 goals and allowed 24 in 11 games. That’s three goals a night for New York and just over two going the other way. Pretty good balance. The penalty kill is the number that really jumps out, though. New York has killed 94.1% of its penalties and allowed only two power-play goals. Toronto has Matthews and Nylander, so you don’t want to spend half the night in the box. But if the Rangers take a penalty or two, they’ve shown they can survive it. That’s a big advantage in a game where one special-teams goal could decide everything.
Alexis Lafrenière has seven goals and 13 points, and Adam Fox has 10 assists. Mika Zibanejad has nine points, while Bjorkstrand is giving the Rangers another scoring option after arriving in the offseason. The goaltending has been excellent. Dylan Garand has a .929 save percentage, and Igor Shesterkin is at .927. Those are terrific numbers from both guys. I don’t particularly care which one starts Thursday. I’d be comfortable with either, although it’s always worth checking the lineup before betting.
Toronto Maple Leafs Are Starting To Score Again
Toronto is 4-4-2 after beating Columbus 6-2 Tuesday night. The Leafs scored four times in the second period, and the Blue Jackets never really recovered. Roslovic had a goal and two assists, Marchenko scored on the power play, and Easton Cowan added a goal and two helpers. That’s the kind of night Toronto fans have been waiting for. The Leafs have plenty of talent, but they haven’t always looked comfortable together early in the season.
The offense is coming around. The defense? Still a work in progress. Toronto has been giving up too many good chances, and the goaltending hasn’t been as dependable as New York’s. That’s a problem against a Rangers team that doesn’t need many opportunities to score. The Leafs can certainly make this a fast game if they want to. Matthews and Nylander are dangerous whenever they get the puck in space. But I’m not sure that’s the best approach against a New York team that’s been pretty good at turning mistakes into goals.
Matthews has seven goals and 16 points, while Nylander has five goals and 13 points. Marchenko has 10 points, and Roslovic’s three-point game against Columbus showed what he can add. Toronto also made a big change in goal, bringing in Sergei Bobrovsky from Florida. He’s posted a .902 save percentage in seven appearances. Anthony Stolarz is at .875 in three games, although he made 35 saves against Columbus. Neither has been as sharp as the Rangers’ goalies so far. That doesn’t mean Bobrovsky can’t steal one. We’ve seen him do it plenty of times.
New York Rangers vs Toronto Maple Leafs Picks and Predictions
New York Rangers Moneyline (+108)
I’ll take the Rangers at +108. Toronto has been playing better, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Matthews gets a couple of goals. He’s that good. But New York has been more dependable defensively, and the goaltending gives the Rangers an edge. Toronto just scored six against Columbus, which looks great on the scoreboard. The Rangers are a different problem. They’ve allowed only 24 goals in 11 games, and their penalty kill has been outstanding. Getting plus money with that kind of defensive production is enough for me. I think New York steals this one on the road.
Under 6.5 Goals
I’m going under 6.5. Toronto’s offense worries me a little, especially after Tuesday’s performance. Matthews and Nylander can turn a quiet game into a shootout in a hurry. But New York has been excellent at keeping the puck out of its net, and both Rangers goalies have been stopping almost everything. Toronto doesn’t need to score six to win, either. Bobrovsky can still have one of those nights where he makes 35 saves and drives everybody crazy. I expect a tighter game than the Leafs had against Columbus. New York 3, Toronto 2.
Final Picks: New York Rangers Moneyline (+108) and Under 6.5 Goals (price dependent)
This preview was completed October 21, 2026. Betting lines, injuries, and starting goaltenders may change before puck drop.
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