Tonight, the Toronto Maple Leafs face off against the New York Rangers at Scotiabank Arena in their first meeting of the 2025-26 season. Both teams are looking to solidify their position early in the season, with the Leafs aiming to build consistency under coach Craig Berube and the Rangers hoping to bounce back after a disappointing previous season.

The Rangers have had a rocky start with a 2-3-0 record, struggling to generate consistent offense, especially evidenced by being shut out in all three of their losses. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs are 2-2-0 and are trying to integrate new players into their system and develop team chemistry. After a shaky start, the Leafs are coming off a 7-4 victory against the Nashville Predators, where they showcased their offensive capabilities.

Team News and Projected Lines

The Rangers' projected lines feature Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, and Alexis Lafreniere leading the charge, with Igor Shesterkin expected to start in goal. Keep an eye on Panarin, who is in a contract year and looking to make a statement. The Maple Leafs' projected lineup includes Knies-Matthews-Cowan, Maccelli-Tavares-Nylander upfront, and Anthony Stolarz is likely to be in net.

Players to Watch

For the Rangers, Artemi Panarin is under scrutiny due to his contract status and slow start to the season. Despite his slow start, Panarin remains a highly skilled player capable of turning a game around. On the Leafs side, Matthew Knies has been a standout forward, demonstrating a strong work ethic and ability to get to the dirty areas. John Tavares is another player to watch, especially given his history of success against the Rangers, with 53 points in 60 career games.

Goaltending Matchup

Igor Shesterkin is expected to start for the Rangers, boasting an impressive .972 save percentage and a 0.76 goals-against average thus far. The Leafs are likely to counter with Anthony Stolarz, who will need to be sharp against a Rangers team desperate to find the back of the net.

Key Stats and Predictions

The Rangers have struggled on the power play, converting only 14.3% of their opportunities, while the Leafs will need to capitalize on their chances and solve Shesterkin. The Rangers have been strong on the penalty kill, successfully navigating 100% of their shorthanded situations.

The Rangers have struggled at home but are 2-0 on the road. The Leafs have won six of the last 10 head-to-head meetings.

Heading into tonight's game, the Maple Leafs are favored with moneyline odds at -145, while the Rangers are at +125. The over/under is set at 5.5 goals. A same-game parlay pick includes Matthew Knies over 2.5 shots on goal, Anthony Stolarz over 23.5 saves, and John Tavares to record a point.

Prediction

Despite Shesterkin's stellar play, the Maple Leafs' offensive depth and home-ice advantage should give them the edge. Expect a tightly contested game, but the Leafs should prevail with a 4-3 victory.