A couple of teams squaring off for the second time this year, the New Jersey Devils and the Toronto Maple Leafs clash at Scotiabank Arena. The match gets started at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 14, and fans at home can catch this Eastern Conference matchup live on Sportsnet Ontario.
New Jersey Devils vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Odds
Toronto (-260) is noticeably favored over New Jersey (+220) and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 7 goals. The odds for betting the total sit at -135 over, +115 under.
The Maple Leafs are 24-22 straight up (SU) and have disappointed moneyline bettors to the tune of -6.2 units so far. That early-season winning percentage is fairly close to what the team managed during last year’s regular season (46-36). Through 46 regular season contests, 26 of its games have gone over the total, while 18 have gone under and just two have pushed. The team’s 11-11 SU at home this year.
Toronto has converted on 22.8 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 27th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 75.8 percent of all penalties.
As a team, Toronto has been called for penalties just 3.2 times per game overall this season, 2.6 per game over its past five outings total, and 3.0 per game over its last five at home. The team has been forced to kill penalties for just 7.5 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, in total.
Sporting a .912 save percentage and 28.1 saves per game, Frederik Andersen (21-15-5) has been the most dependable goalkeeper for the Maple Leafs this season. If they decide to give him a rest, however, head coach Sheldon Keefe could roll with Michael Hutchinson (3-9-9 record, .885 save percentage, 3.83 goals against average).
The Leafs will continue looking for leadership via Auston Matthews and Mitchell Marner. Matthews (54 points) is up to 31 goals and 23 assists and has recorded two or more points in 18 different games this year. Marner has 13 goals and 31 assists to his name and has notched a point in 26 contests.
On the other hand, New Jersey is 17-28 straight up (SU) and has lost 7.1 units for moneyline bettors this year. A total of 24 of its games have gone over the total, while 20 have gone under the total and just one has pushed. New Jersey’s 10-12 SU as the visiting team this season.
New Jersey has converted on just 14.9 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that’s ranked 30th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 16th overall and it’s successfully defended 80.3 percent of all penalties.
New Jersey’s skaters have been penalized 4.1 times per game this season, and 5.8 per game over their last five on the road. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays 16.4 minutes per game over their last five road outings.
MacKenzie Blackwood (2.97 goals against average and .905 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for New Jersey. Blackwood is averaging 26.5 saves per game and has 14 wins, 20 losses, and six overtime losses to his credit.
Leading the offensive attack for the visiting Devils will be Kyle Palmieri (16 goals, 15 assists) and Nico Hischier (12 goals, 16 assists).
New Jersey Devils at Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Predictions
Free Pick: SU Winner – Maple Leafs, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- New Jersey is 2-4 in games decided by a shootout this season while Toronto is 1-3 in shootouts.
- For both of these clubs, the over has hit in four of their last five outings.
- Toronto has allowed 3.3 goals per game overall this year, but has allowed 6.0 goals per contest in its last three contests (the team is 0-3 SU over that stretch).
- Seven of Toronto’s last ten games have been decided by two or more goals. The club is 5-2 overall in those games.
- New Jersey skaters notched 23.5 hits per game last season, while the Maple Leafs posted 18.8 hits per matchup.
