The Coach's NHL Puckline PUNISHER
(NHL) Toronto vs. Philadelphia,
Point Spread: 1.50 | -200.00 Toronto (Away)
Result: Win
The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Philadelphia Flyers are sitting right next to each-other in the standings with both sides a good 9-10 points off a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Flyers are without a doubt the hotter of the the two teams as the Leafs have won only one of their last 12 games, dropping eight consecutive. I think we'll see a close game at Wells Fargo Center though and I like the Leafs on the puckline.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Idling Maple Leafs Offense - Toronto had some decent offensive success earlier in the season so the quality is undoubtedly there. This could be a good spot to start finding the net again facing Steve Mason who is showing a 3.64 GAA in seven starts against the Leafs lifetime.

2. Special Teams - Philadelphia has won four of its last five, much thanks to a strong power play that has gone 6-for-16. Toronto has a penalty that ranks among the top 10 in the league and has yielded only one goal over its last 17 penalties though. Philly on the other hand has one of the worst penalty kill units in the NHL allowing a goal on close to 75% of its penalties.

3. X-Factor - Phil Kessel is leading Toronto with 45 points and had two assists in the first meeting with the Flyers this season.

Selection: This is a play on the Toronto Maple Leafs +1.5 (6*)