The Pittsburgh Penguins (15-11-9) visit the Toronto Maple Leafs (15-15-5) in a Metropolitan-Atlantic crossover that’s shaping up as a potential defensive battle between two inconsistent Eastern Conference teams. Pittsburgh snapped an eight-game winless streak (0-4-4) with a dramatic 4-3 shootout win over Montreal on December 21, where Sidney Crosby broke Mario Lemieux’s franchise points record. Toronto, meanwhile, is reeling from a 1-4-1 skid in their last six, including a 5-1 loss to Dallas on December 21, amid goaltending woes and injuries. This marks the second meeting of the 2025-26 season; the Leafs won the first 5-2 on November 29 in Pittsburgh, dominating the third period. With both teams struggling for consistency—Pittsburgh’s power play at 18.2% (22nd in NHL) and Toronto’s penalty kill at 78.4% (24th)—expect a low-scoring affair, potentially decided by special teams or star power like Crosby vs. Auston Matthews.
Venue Location
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON. This 19,800-seat venue has been a mixed bag for the Leafs this season, with a 9-7 home record, but they’ve allowed 3.2 goals per game at home (18th in NHL).
Puckdrop is set for 4:00 PM ET. The game will be broadcast on Sportsnet (Leafs feed), AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh (Penguins feed), and NHL Network, with streaming options via ESPN+ and NHL.tv.
Injury Report
Both teams are dealing with key absences, particularly in net and on defense, which could lead to backup goalies starting and altered lineups. Reports as of December 22 evening.
Pittsburgh Penguins:
Out: Evgeni Malkin (upper body – IR, week-to-week, expected back around December 30), Blake Lizotte (upper body – IR, week-to-week), Caleb Jones (lower body – IR, sidelined since December 20).
Questionable/Probable: Peyton Kettles (D – out, details unspecified), Tanner Howe (LW – status unclear but listed on injury reports).
Notable Notes: Malkin’s absence (15 goals, 30 assists in 32 games) depletes Pittsburgh’s secondary scoring, forcing more reliance on Crosby and the top line. Lizotte’s energy is missed on the penalty kill. Recent returns like Rickard Rakell from earlier injuries provide some depth, but the blue line is thin without Jones.
Toronto Maple Leafs:
Out: Anthony Stolarz (upper body – IR, expected back January 3), Marshall Rifai (wrist – LTIR, expected back December 23 but likely out), Dakota Mermis (undisclosed – IR, out about a month since December 10), Christopher Tanev (lower body – missed December 20, status day-to-day).
Questionable: Oliver Ekman-Larsson (upper body – progressing but sidelined recently).
Notable Notes: Stolarz’s injury forces Dennis Hildeby or Joseph Woll into the starter’s role; Hildeby struggled in the December 21 loss (17 saves on 22 shots). Tanev’s potential absence weakens Toronto’s shutdown defense (78 blocked shots this season). Ekman-Larsson’s setback limits blue-line offense.
Player Matchups
Without Malkin and potentially Stolarz/Tanev, the focus shifts to superstar centers and defensive assignments. Toronto’s home ice could help neutralize Pittsburgh’s speed, but the Penguins’ veteran savvy might exploit the Leafs’ recent defensive lapses (allowing 4.0 GPG in last five).
Sidney Crosby (PIT) vs. Auston Matthews (TOR): The premier battle pits Crosby (14 goals, 32 assists, fresh off franchise points record) against Matthews (22 goals, league-leading). Crosby’s playmaking exploits Toronto’s 22nd-ranked penalty kill, while Matthews’ sniping (5 power-play goals) tests Pittsburgh’s 19th-ranked PK. Expect physicality, as both lead their teams in ice time (Crosby 20:45, Matthews 21:12).
Rickard Rakell (PIT) vs. Morgan Rielly (TOR): Rakell (12 goals) returns from injury to provide secondary scoring, facing Rielly (4 goals, 18 assists) on the blue line. Rielly’s puck-moving could create odd-man rushes, but Rakell’s net-front presence challenges Toronto’s goalies.
Bryan Rust (PIT) vs. William Nylander (TOR): Rust (11 goals) brings grit to Pittsburgh’s wings, matching up against Nylander (16 goals, 24 points). Nylander’s speed (top-10 in shots at 112) exploits the Penguins’ 20th-ranked opponent shots allowed (30.4 per game).
Other Key Battles: Erik Karlsson (PIT, 20 assists) vs. Mitch Marner (TOR, 28 assists)—offensive defenseman vs. playmaker. If Woll starts for Toronto, he faces Tristan Jarry (PIT, .902 SV%), who shone in the December 21 win (28 saves).
Recent Team Forms
Pittsburgh’s win snapped a skid, while Toronto’s slump continues.
Pittsburgh Penguins (Last 5 Games):
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| Dec 21 | vs. Montreal Canadiens | W 4-3 (SO) |
| Dec 18 | @ Ottawa Senators | L 0-4 |
| Dec 16 | vs. Anaheim Ducks | L 3-4 (SO) |
| Dec 13 | @ Carolina Hurricanes | L 2-3 (OT) |
| Dec 11 | vs. New York Islanders | L 1-4 |
Form: 1-3-1 in last 5, averaging 2.0 GPG while allowing 3.6. The Canadiens win featured Crosby’s milestone and strong goaltending from Arturs Silovs (shootout hero), but prior games showed offensive droughts (under 2 goals in three).
Toronto Maple Leafs (Last 5 Games):
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| Dec 21 | @ Dallas Stars | L 1-5 |
| Dec 20 | vs. Nashville Predators | L 2-4 |
| Dec 18 | @ Edmonton Oilers | L 3-4 (OT) |
| Dec 13 | vs. Seattle Kraken | W 4-2 |
| Dec 11 | @ Calgary Flames | L 2-3 |
Form: 1-3-1 in last 5, averaging 2.4 GPG while allowing 3.6. Defensive breakdowns doomed them against Dallas (outshot 22-18 but collapsed late), extending a 1-4-1 stretch with poor goaltending (.875 SV% in losses).
Series History
Toronto holds a slight all-time edge: 100-96-17-1 in regular-season games (51.0% win rate for Leafs). At Scotiabank Arena (and predecessors), the Leafs are 55-41-11 vs. Pittsburgh. Recently, Toronto has dominated, going 4-1 in the last five meetings, including the 5-2 win on November 29, 2025. The Penguins are 2-3 in their last five visits to Toronto, with games averaging 5.8 total goals.
Betting Trends
Toronto is 12-23 ATS overall but 7-11 ATS at home. Pittsburgh is 16-19 ATS and 9-9 ATS on the road. Over is 4-1 in Leafs’ last 5 home games and 3-2 in series matchups. Under is 4-1 in Penguins’ last 5 road tilts.
Leafs 4-1 ATS after a loss; Penguins 2-3 ATS vs. Atlantic teams. Series unders hit in 6 of last 10.
Game Odds
Pittsburgh Penguins 6.5
Toronto Maple Leafs – 125
NHL Game Preview: Pittsburgh Penguins (15-11-9) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (15-15-5)Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, December 22, 2025
