There are some beautiful rivalries developing in the young PWHL. The series between PWHL New York and PWHL Toronto could be said to be among them. What looked like it could be a one-sided affair early has since swung the opposite way.
Toronto will get a chance to build on its recent success on its home ice on Friday when New York visits for the second time. Legal North American online sportsbooks should slot the home team as a slight favorite.
PWHL New York at Toronto details
This will be the fourth all-time meeting between these teams, making the data for this game scant. As just two points separate these teams in the league standings, that is indicative of what’s been happening on the ice between them.
- Puck drop: 7 p.m. ET, Friday, Feb. 23, 2024
- Venue: Mattamy Athletic Centre
- Broadcast: Canada – TSN United States – MSG Networks
- Previous meeting: Jan. 26, 2024, in Toronto, 2-0 Toronto win
- Last 5 games: New York LLWWW, LWWWW
- Toronto points: 17, 5-5 in regulation, 1-0 in overtime
- New York points: 15, 2-4 in regulation, 4-1 in overtime
- Toronto goal differential: -1 overall, -1 at home, -1 against New York
- New York goal differential: +3 overall, +7 on the road, +1 against Toronto
Both teams come into this contest with some momentum, likely making for a small spread on the contest at books like ESPN Bet and FanDuel. While handicapping data is not yet abundant for any matchup in the PWHL simply due to the relatively small number of games played to date, it’s important to consider what is available.
Handicapping PWHL Toronto vs. New York
After New York dominated Toronto 4-0 in their first meeting, it’s been a different story. Toronto won both games it has played in New York so far, meaning the road team has won each time these two have met up.
That’s especially reassuring for bettors who might be considering backing New York on Friday. The fact that New York has been the league’s best road team so far doesn’t hurt that leaning, either. However, there are other statistics to consider.
Toronto’s Natalie Spooner enters Friday just a point off the league lead, netting a league-leading 10 goals and an assist so far. New York has plenty of talent to counter, though. The league leader in points that Spooner is chasing will be on the other side of the ice as Alex Carpenter comes in with eight goals and six assists.
Additionally, New York goalie Corinne Schroeder has the second-best goals against average and save percentage in the PWHL right now. Furthermore, New York has been among the most effective teams in the league with a woman advantage, having netted seven power play goals to date. Comparatively, Toronto has mustered three power play goals so far.
While a lot of the stats point to New York evening this series up, Toronto has come up with a win in two of three meetings to date. For those looking to bet the goal total, that’s gone under 4.5 goals in two of the three games these teams have played so far.
