San Jose Sharks vs Toronto Maple Leafs Picks and Predictions for Monday October 19 2026
Toronto is favored Monday, and I’m having a hard time figuring out why anybody would feel comfortable laying money on the Leafs right now. Three straight losses. They blew a two-goal lead against Buffalo, then got beat 4-1 by the Islanders on Saturday. San Jose isn’t much easier to trust. The Sharks had Detroit beaten until the final two minutes and ended up losing in a shootout. Neither club has given bettors much reason to relax.
The Sharks visit Scotiabank Arena on Monday, October 19, with the puck dropping at 7:30 PM ET. Toronto is listed around -135, San Jose +115, and the total is 6.5 goals. The Leafs are getting the home-ice respect, I suppose. Whether they’ve earned it lately is another matter. Check out our free NHL picks for more hockey predictions.
San Jose Has Been Letting Points Get Away
The Sharks are 4-3-1 after Saturday’s 4-3 shootout loss in Detroit. They were ahead 3-2 with less than two minutes left, and that should’ve been enough. Instead, Detroit tied it with 1:33 remaining. San Jose had also needed a shootout to beat Nashville two nights earlier, after giving up a tying goal with less than a second on the clock. Twice in three days. That has to get old.
San Jose actually played well for long stretches in Detroit. The Sharks outshot the Red Wings 34-27, won nearly 55% of the faceoffs, and scored on two of six power plays. They had a 3-2 lead early in the third. There’s a lot there to like. But they only scored once at even strength, and they couldn’t protect the lead. The Sharks have lost three of their last four, though two of those games were close enough to go either way. I wouldn’t write them off just yet.
Sign Up Get $30 Premium Picks Credit + Exclusive Offers
Subscribe Now
The problem is that San Jose keeps having to defend late in games. It’s one thing to be ahead by a goal. It’s another to spend the last few shifts chasing the puck around your own end. The Sharks need more five-on-five offense so they aren’t relying on power plays to carry the scoring. Toronto has been giving up plenty of chances lately. San Jose should get some looks. Whether the Sharks can hold a lead if they get one is another question.
Toronto Hasn’t Earned Much Trust
The Leafs are 3-4-2, and Saturday’s loss to the Islanders was a bad one. New York came into Toronto and won 4-1, even though the Leafs had 29 shots to the Islanders’ 20. Toronto was down 2-0 after two periods, got one back early in the third, and couldn’t get any closer. An empty-net goal made the final score look a little worse, but it was still a lousy night. That’s three losses in a row.
Toronto has allowed at least three goals in seven straight games. Seven. The Leafs scored four against Buffalo and lost. They managed one against the Islanders and lost again. Saturday wasn’t a game where they got buried under 40 shots, either. The Islanders only put 20 on net and scored three times before the empty-netter. Toronto also went scoreless on its power-play chances. It’s hard to find much to like in those numbers.
The injury list isn’t helping. John Tavares is dealing with a lower-body injury after putting up seven points in seven games. Chris Tanev is week-to-week with an upper-body injury, and Max Domi remains out with a back problem. That’s a lot to be missing when the team is already struggling. Toronto still has enough offense to beat San Jose, but the Leafs haven’t been playing like a team that deserves much benefit of the doubt.
San Jose Sharks vs Toronto Maple Leafs Picks and Predictions
Toronto Maple Leafs Moneyline (-135)
I’ll take Toronto, although this isn’t a game where I’d be rushing to the betting window. The Leafs have been awful defensively, and San Jose just outshot Detroit 34-27. That worries me. But Toronto is home, the Sharks have dropped three of four, and San Jose has been giving away leads late. The Leafs have lost three straight themselves. Somebody has to break that streak, and I’m leaning toward the home team. At -135, there’s not a lot of value here. I wouldn’t chase a worse price.
Over 6.5 Goals (-120)
I like the over better than the side. Toronto has allowed at least three goals in seven straight games. San Jose just scored three in Detroit, and the Sharks have been dangerous enough on the power play to cause trouble. The Leafs’ defensive injuries don’t help, either. Now, Toronto only scored once Saturday, so there’s a real chance the offense comes up short again. That’s what could beat this pick. But neither team has shown much ability to protect a lead, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see another 4-3 finish.
Final Picks: Toronto Maple Leafs Moneyline (-135) and Over 6.5 Goals (-120)
This preview was completed October 18, 2026. Betting lines, starting goaltenders, and injury information may change before puck drop.
Never Tried Picks and Parlays? Now Is Your Chance
- Get your first daily picks package for ONLY $1 using coupon code BUCK
- If the pick loses, we credit your account with 3 Flex Picks
- If the pick wins, we still give you 1 Flex Pick on the house
- Win or lose, you walk away ahead. One dollar. No catch.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
New Users – Get $350 in Bonus Bets when you wager $5 for 7 days
New DraftKings Customers: Bet $5, Get $200 + 3 Months of NBA League Pass!
