NHL Monday Philadelphia vs. Toronto The early line on this game at Pinnacle after a move is Philly -108/ Toronto Even. At the beginning of the season, Philly would have been considered to have a power rating advantage but 10 or so games into the season Philly has struggled. The Leafs went on the road and won 3 games in a row and now come back home. Leafs I think are 6-1 on the road.
Of course, sharp bettors know that Toronto has a losing record at home so they may jump on Philly. Leafs are a team with a peculiar home ice advantage. I think a long term analysis might say that for whatever level team they are they don't get as many points as expected at home and obtain more on the road.
Their poor home record has been theorized to occur for a few reasons. One is the pressure put on the team by hometown fans. The Leafs play in a hockey hotbed which has the highest Hockey related revenue in the entire league by a significant margin even over the NY Rangers who rank 2nd. The fans are very knowledgeable and the weight of playing in Toronto weighs players down.
The 2nd reason is that visiting players draw motivation from the hockey charged atmosphere that they may not obtain in their home rinks together with a chance to visit family and friends as often several players will come from Toronto or the nearby area.
On the road the Leafs do better for not exactly the same reasons but similar. The 1st being that because of the team's notoriety it draws alot of support on the road particuarly in other Canadian cities except Montreal. The 2nd is that the players are often more relaxed on the road and have a thicker skin because of their home environment to adverse situations on the road.
Now you know the history that is why I like the Leafs tomorrow at home vs. Philly but I have not bet it. I'll be interested where the line goes tomorrow but I would think the Leafs will have some extra motivation tomorrow to win at home and carry their streak forward. I don't see a flat game coming but I'm thinking sharps do. ACC could be hopping a little bit after the win in Montreal. It was a physical game and should be an emotionally lifting win but at the same time the game was over early. They should be under control and focused vs Philly. I think any plus money is a solid bet on the Leafs. If it doesn't go that way, I still may bet a little laying them tomorrow @ 115 or less.
