The Toronto Maple Leafs head to Michigan for an Atlantic Division showdown against the Detroit Red Wings, aiming to build on their high-scoring win over Ottawa while Detroit looks to rebound from a loss to Carolina. This marks the second meeting of the 2025-26 season, with Detroit winning the opener 4-2 on October 15 in Toronto.
Venue: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
Puckdrop is set for 7:00 PM ET (4:00 PM PT)
TV Broadcast: SNO (Maple Leafs feed), FDSNDET (Red Wings feed), ESPN+ (national stream)
Doors open about 90 minutes prior to puck drop.
Detroit ranks top-10 in goals against (2.85 GAA) but middling in scoring (3.05 GPG), while Toronto boasts offensive firepower (3.35 GPG, top-5) but struggles defensively (3.25 GAA).
Recent Team Forms
Detroit has been streaky but strong lately, while Toronto rides momentum from a comeback victory.
Toronto Maple Leafs: The Leafs are 3-2-0 in their last five, highlighted by a 7-5 home win over the Ottawa Senators on December 27 (Auston Matthews: goal + 2 assists; Matthew Knies: 2 goals). They’ve gone 6-4-1 in December, averaging 3.6 goals per game but allowing 3.4. Earlier results include a 4-3 OT loss to the New York Rangers on December 23 and a 5-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres on December 20. Road form is even at 8-8-2, with 3-2-0 in their last five away.
Detroit Red Wings: The Wings are 3-2-0 in their last five, ending with a 5-2 road loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on December 27 (goals from Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane). They’ve won 8 of their last 11 overall, going 7-3-1 in December with 3.2 goals per game and a stingy 2.6 allowed. Key wins: 4-0 shutout vs. Vancouver on December 8, 4-3 vs. Seattle on December 6. Home form is solid at 12-6-2, including 4-1-0 in their last five at Little Caesars Arena.
Injury Report
Toronto deals with key absences in net and up front, while Detroit’s lineup is relatively healthy.
Toronto Maple Leafs:
William Nylander (lower body): Day-to-day; left December 27 game early but traveling with team—status uncertain for tonight.
Anthony Stolarz (upper body): Out indefinitely; recovery slower than expected, no timeline.
Joseph Woll (groin): Questionable; recently activated but backup role.
Two others (minor, undisclosed): Day-to-day.
Toronto will lean on Dennis Hildeby or Woll in goal, with Matthews carrying the offense.
Detroit Red Wings:
Patrick Kane (undisclosed/upper body): Questionable; recent LTIR but played December 27.
No major absences reported; depth players like Joe Veleno (minor) are day-to-day.
Detroit’s core, including Dylan Larkin and Moritz Seider, is intact.
Key Player Matchups
Injuries shift focus to Toronto’s stars vs. Detroit’s balanced attack. Expect high-tempo play with Toronto’s speed testing Detroit’s defense.
Auston Matthews (TOR) vs. Dylan Larkin (DET): Matthews (3 points vs. Ottawa, team-leading 25 goals) drives Toronto’s offense with elite shooting. Larkin (multi-point games in 4 of last 6) matches with faceoff dominance (55%+) and speed—edge to Larkin at home.
Mitch Marner (TOR) vs. Alex DeBrincat (DET): Marner (assists in 7 straight) exploits transitions. DeBrincat (goal vs. Carolina, 18 goals) counters with sniping; this wing battle could spark power plays.
Dennis Hildeby/Joseph Woll (TOR) vs. Ville Husso (DET): Toronto’s backup tandem faces pressure (Hildeby .905 SV% recently). Husso (shutout vs. Vancouver) anchors Detroit’s top-10 netminding—advantage Red Wings.
Morgan Rielly (TOR) vs. Moritz Seider (DET): Rielly (points in 5 of 7) quarterbacks Toronto’s blue line. Seider (blocks leader) shuts down rushes; physicality key here.
Nylander’s potential absence hurts Toronto’s depth, tilting edges to Detroit.
Series History
This Original Six rivalry favors Detroit all-time, with 298 wins to Toronto’s 302 in 679 regular-season games (ties: 79). Playoffs: Toronto leads 59-58. Recently, Detroit is 6-4 in the last 10, including this season’s 4-2 win. At home, Detroit has won 4 straight vs. Toronto, but games trend high-scoring (over in 7 of last 10). Last meeting: Larkin 2 goals for Detroit.
Betting Trends
Other Trends: Detroit 8-3 in last 11 vs. Atlantic foes; Toronto covers in 4 of last 6 as +110 or higher. Player props: Matthews over 3.5 shots (-120) strong; Larkin over 0.5 points (-150).
Implied score: Detroit 4-3.
Game Odds
Toronto Maple Leafs 6.5
Detroit Red Wings – 142
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, December 27, 2025
