Detroit Red Wings vs Toronto Maple Leafs Picks and Predictions December 28th 2025

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Detroit Red Wings Picks and Predictions – Sunday December 28, 2025

The Toronto Maple Leafs head to Detroit on Sunday night to face the Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena, with puck drop set for 7:00 PM ET on TNT. It’s a divisional matchup with both teams on short rest, but they’re coming in from very different places. Detroit is leading the Atlantic, while Toronto is sitting at the bottom and trying to find any kind of stable stretch.

Detroit is coming off a 5-2 loss in Carolina on Saturday where the legs weren’t there for most of the game. Toronto just played a wild 7-5 win over Ottawa, and now has to turn around quickly with travel and a possible lineup question around William Nylander, who left Saturday’s game with a lower-body issue.

These are the current betting lines, and bettors should always monitor updated NHL odds leading into puck drop. Keep checking the latest NHL odds for movement tied to goalie confirmations and the Nylander update.

TeamMoneylinePuck LineTotalToronto Maple Leafs+134+1.5 (-198)O 6.5 (-112)Detroit Red Wings-156-1.5 (+164)U 6.5 (-108)

Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Form

Toronto has been playing higher-variance hockey lately, and Saturday’s 7-5 win is a pretty good example. They can score, and the top of the lineup can take over stretches, but they’re still letting games get loose in the third period and turning comfortable spots into sweat jobs. That matters when you’re betting them on the road on a back-to-back because the defensive details usually get worse, not better.

Nylander’s status is huge. If he’s out or limited, it impacts both the power play and Toronto’s ability to roll threats across multiple lines. It also changes how Detroit can match up at home. If Nylander plays, Toronto’s offense keeps a high ceiling and the plus-money moneyline becomes more interesting. If he sits, Toronto can still score, but it becomes more concentrated, and it’s easier for Detroit to game plan.

For recent form, pricing trends, and split results, check Toronto Maple Leafs stats and results. Availability matters here, so monitor the Toronto Maple Leafs injury report before puck drop.

Detroit Red Wings Betting Form

Detroit’s loss in Carolina is less about the result and more about the process. They were flat for two periods, got outskated, and then showed some push late. Coming home after that kind of game can go two ways. Either they carry the frustration into a strong start, or the legs still look heavy and you get another sloppy effort.

The other betting factor is goaltending. Cam Talbot is likely, but it’s still a back-to-back situation, and if Detroit goes to a different option, it can change how you feel about laying a home price. Detroit’s best case is a structured home game where they don’t give Toronto odd-man looks, and they win the special teams minutes. Toronto is still dangerous in transition, and Detroit can’t afford to chase the game state against a team that can score quickly.

For the broader profile and recent results, use Detroit Red Wings schedule and stats. And because lineup decisions matter a lot in back-to-back spots, monitor the Detroit Red Wings injury report before you bet.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Detroit Red Wings Matchup Breakdown

This matchup is about how clean the game is. Toronto’s best offense comes when the game opens up, their defense is still prone to breakdowns, and their back-to-back fatigue can show up in coverage gaps in the second half. Detroit, at home, should want to keep the puck out of the middle and force Toronto to take longer routes to the net.

Special teams could swing it. Toronto’s power play can still produce even when the five-on-five game is messy, but if Nylander is out, that unit loses some of its threat and movement. Detroit’s power play has been capable, and Toronto’s penalty issues can appear when they’re tired. If the whistle count climbs, it increases the chance this game gets to the over.

Goaltending is the final hinge point. If Toronto starts Dennis Hildeby, you get more volatility. That can help an underdog moneyline because of the unpredictability, but it also makes overs and Detroit team total looks more attractive. If Toronto goes with Joseph Woll again, it points more toward a tighter game and makes Detroit’s moneyline feel less clean at the current price.

If you want a better framework for handling back-to-backs and goalie-driven totals, the NHL betting guide is useful for side versus total decisions in these spots.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Detroit Red Wings Predictions and Best Bets

My lean is Detroit moneyline (-156), but I’m not treating it like a slam dunk. Detroit has been the more stable team overall, and the Wings already beat Toronto twice earlier this season. At home, they should be able to control matchups and force Toronto to defend more shifts than it wants to. If Toronto is without Nylander or has him limited, it’s even more of a Detroit lean because it reduces Toronto’s ability to trade chances evenly.

The total is where I’m more interested. Toronto games have been high-event, Detroit can score, and back-to-back fatigue usually shows up as defensive mistakes. If Hildeby starts, I like the over 6.5 more. If Woll starts, the over is still playable, but I’d want to see how Detroit’s lineup looks and whether they’re treating this like a rebound game with more structure.

I’m projecting a 4-3 Detroit type of game, with enough special teams and third-period chaos to get this into seven goals.

Best Bet: Over 6.5 (-112).

NHL Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats

Back-to-back spots, goalie rotations, and divisional matchups are where NHL betting gets sharp fast. It helps to compare multiple viewpoints, especially when the market is waiting on goalie confirmation. Start with today’s NHL picks to see how different handicappers are playing the slate.

Accountability matters in hockey because short-term variance is brutal. The top sports handicappers page helps you filter by long-term performance, and the handicapper leaderboard keeps the records transparent if you’re deciding who to follow. If you want higher volume, premium NHL picks can be a better fit than forcing action into every game.

For more matchup coverage across the league, the NHL previews hub keeps the schedule organized, and the Stanley Cup betting guide is useful if you’re tracking futures while still playing nightly markets.