Nashville Predators @ Toronto Maple Leafs prediction: Can Toronto build on its first win?
Prediction markets currently favor the Toronto Maple Leafs at 55%, compared with 47% for the Nashville Predators. Toronto has found its first win, while Nashville needs to show that a difficult finish to preseason is behind it.
Hockey
By Ekaterina Drozdovica
Toronto did not have to wait long for a second chance. A day after losing its opener, the Maple Leafs beat the New York Islanders 2–1 on September 30, helped by a goal and an assist from Easton Cowan. It was an early reminder that a disappointing night does not have to become a disappointing week.
Nashville could use a similar response after a rough end to preseason. The Predators visit Toronto on October 6, with the Maple Leafs slightly ahead in prediction markets. Much will depend on whether Nashville can keep Toronto under pressure without leaving itself exposed at the other end.
When is Predators vs Maple Leafs?
The Predators visit Toronto on Tuesday, October 6, at 7 p.m. ET for a 2026–27 regular-season game. The teams meet again in Nashville in February.
Date
Matchup
Start time
October 6, 2026
Nashville Predators at Toronto Maple Leafs
7 p.m. ET
February 18, 2027
Toronto Maple Leafs at Nashville Predators
8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT
The prediction below is for the October game. The February meeting will come much later in the season, when both teams’ strengths and weaknesses should be clearer.
What is Predators vs Maple Leafs prediction?
Prediction markets give Toronto a slight edge, with the Maple Leafs at 55% compared with 47% for Nashville. Toronto is the favorite, but it’s far from a comfortable gap.
Market data as of October 1, 2026. For the latest market probabilities, check theOG.com platform.
The win over the Islanders gave the Maple Leafs something to build on, particularly the contributions from players outside their best-known scoring names. Nashville needs to make its own improvement visible by starting strongly and spending less time trying to escape its defensive end.
Both teams have games before October 6, so this is still a developing picture. Those results, player availability and the starting goalies could all move the percentages, which reflect current trading activity rather than a guaranteed forecast.
Predators vs Maple Leafs recent scores and head-to-head results
Toronto has already experienced a loss and a win in the regular season. Nashville’s latest completed games at this snapshot were in preseason, where the results left room for improvement.
Date
Game
Final score
Competition
September 30, 2026
New York Islanders at Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto won 2–1
Regular season
September 29, 2026
Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs
Montreal won 3–2
Regular season
September 26, 2026
Carolina Hurricanes at Nashville Predators
Carolina won 6–0
Preseason
December 20, 2025
Toronto Maple Leafs at Nashville Predators
Nashville won 5–3
Regular season
Nashville also lost its previous exhibition against Carolina 6–5. So the concern was not simply a failure to score: even five goals had not been enough to win.
Preseason results need perspective, but those two games give Nashville a clear problem to address. Against Toronto, scoring chances will count for more if the Predators can stop giving so many away.
Where do Predators and Maple Leafs stand this season?
Toronto is 1–1–0, with two points, as of the morning of October 1. Nashville has yet to begin its regular season, with its opener against Minnesota scheduled for October 1.
The Predators finished preseason 1–3–0, but those results do not carry into the standings. Their first competitive games will give a better indication of whether the problems have followed them into the season.
For now, Toronto has a win to build on and Nashville has a fresh start to make. Neither has played enough regular-season hockey for division positions to tell us much about this matchup.
Predators vs Maple Leafs lineup, team news, injuries
There is still time for both teams to change their combinations. The early roster news offers some clues, but October 6 selections remain unconfirmed.
Nashville Predators: A healthy starting point, with decisions still to make
Nashville’s September 29 roster listed no injured or non-roster players, with Juuse Saros and Justus Annunen as its goaltenders.
That gives the coaches options as they look for a better performance. The challenge is finding combinations that work together, especially when possession changes and players need to switch quickly from attacking to defending.
Neither goaltender should be presented as the confirmed October 6 starter until a game-specific announcement.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Cowan adds another scoring option
Toronto’s September 30 injury report included Max Domi and Dakota Joshua. Their status will need checking again before Nashville’s visit.
Against the Islanders, Cowan and Colton Sissons scored, while Anthony Stolarz made 26 saves. Toronto will welcome more of that support: it makes life harder for opponents when they cannot focus all their attention on the same few forwards.
Stolarz’s performance is encouraging, although it does not confirm that he will start against the Predators.
What could decide Nashville Predators vs Toronto Maple Leafs?
Nashville needs a more convincing start, while Toronto will want to keep getting contributions throughout its lineup. How the teams handle the puck between scoring chances could be just as important as the finishing.
Can Nashville avoid another early chase?
The Predators were three goals down after the first period of their preseason finale. In his postgame assessment, coach Andrew Brunette questioned the team’s effort and readiness.
Against Toronto, Nashville needs to get involved before the scoreboard forces it to take risks. Winning early puck battles and putting together a few attacking shifts would help the Predators settle into the game.
An early deficit would make that harder. Chasing a goal can tempt players to push forward sooner, leaving more space for Toronto if the puck comes back the other way.
Can Toronto make every line a problem?
Cowan’s contribution against the Islanders gives Toronto a useful example to follow. When supporting forwards create chances, the opposing defense has fewer shifts in which it can ease off.
For Nashville, that would complicate decisions about which defenders to use against which line. Toronto does not need every forward to score, but it benefits if each group can keep the puck, force a save or leave the next line in a good position.
If the attack becomes too dependent on one unit, the Predators may find it easier to anticipate where the danger is coming from.
Can the Predators make a defensive stop count?
A save or blocked shot can buy Nashville a moment, but the next touch determines whether the pressure is over. Recover the puck and complete a pass, and the Predators can attack. Lose it again, and Toronto gets another opportunity.
That makes support around the puck particularly important. Nashville needs passing options close enough to use under pressure, while Toronto will try to close them down.
The Maple Leafs have the narrow market edge. Nashville’s opportunity is to disrupt their rhythm, keep the game manageable and give its own forwards enough possession to make a difference.
FAQs about Predators vs Maple Leafs
When do Predators and Maple Leafs play next?
They meet in Toronto on October 6, 2026, at 7 p.m. ET.
What was the score in the last Predators vs Maple Leafs game?
Nashville won 5–3 on December 20, 2025, in their previous regular-season meeting.
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