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Detroit (30-16-4) at Toronto (24-17-8)
- When: Jan 21 2026, 7:00 PM
- Where: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON, CAN
- TV: TNT
Detroit vs Toronto NHL Preview & Pick
Moneyline: Toronto -115
Spread: Toronto -1.5 (+215)
Total: 6.0
Red Wings Arrive Feeling Themselves
Detroit rolls into Toronto like a team that just discovered confidence is contagious. Six wins in their last seven games will do that to a locker room. They just erased a two goal deficit, stole a game in overtime, and decided losing is simply not on the menu anymore. When you start winning games in every possible way comeback wins overtime chaos and greasy goals you start believing you can beat anyone anywhere including Toronto on its own ice.
Detroit has also made a habit of annoying the Maple Leafs this season. Three meetings so far. Three Detroit wins. Two of them in overtime just to add extra emotional damage. The Red Wings know exactly how to push Toronto into uncomfortable hockey and then politely take the points.
This team is playing loose confident and just physical enough to be irritating. They are embracing division games like playoff previews and showing zero fear of big buildings or louder crowds. Detroit is not sneaking around anymore. They are walking in loudly.
Toronto Searching For Their Legs And Their Groove
Toronto meanwhile is doing that thing where everything looks fine on paper but feels slightly off in real life. They opened a homestand by getting punched in the mouth early and spent the rest of the night chasing the game. Flat starts and sloppy mistakes are not exactly confidence builders especially against a team that has already beaten you three times.
The good news is the Leafs still have star power and can score in a blink. Auston Matthews is still cooking and quietly stacking points like it is his side hustle. The bad news is Toronto is banged up tired and still waiting for key pieces to feel normal again. When legs look heavy and timing is off mistakes pile up fast.
Toronto knows these division games matter. They also know Detroit has zero respect for reputation right now. That makes this one dangerous.
How The Game Should Play Out
This matchup screams tight checking hockey with bursts of chaos. Detroit will try to frustrate Toronto early and drag them into another grind. Toronto will try to wake up the building and remind everyone why they are favored. With the total sitting low this feels like a game where goals matter and momentum swings hard.
Toronto at home should have enough push to finally slow Detroit down but it likely will not be comfortable. Expect tension. Expect physical play. Expect both teams to feel this one like it is April not January.
Prediction
Toronto finally snaps the season skid against Detroit but not without stress.
Score Prediction: Maple Leafs 3, Red Wings 2
Pick: Toronto (-115)
Total: Under 6.0 (+102)
- NHL Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
