The Prudential Center is the site for an Eastern Conference clash as the New Jersey Devils face off against the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs. It’s the third and last time that these two clubs will go at it in the regular season. This one will get going at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 5 and it will be shown live on MSG Network.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. New Jersey Devils Odds
New Jersey heads into the matchup as the favorite with a moneyline of -120. The line for Toronto sits at +100 and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals (-115 for the over, -105 for the under).
Toronto is 48-32 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 6.5 units this season. 42 of its outings have gone over the total, while 34 have gone under and just four have pushed. As the road team this season, the Leafs are 20-20 SU.
Toronto currently has the third-strongest power-play unit in the NHL, as it’s scored on 24.3 percent of its extra-man chances this year. Its penalty kill is ranked 12th overall, and it has successfully killed off 81.3 percent of all penalties.
For the team as a whole, the Leafs have been whistled for penalties just 3.2 times per game overall during the 2017-18 season, and 4.2 per game over its last five on the road. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays just 7.0 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 30.6 saves per game with a .917 save percentage, Frederik Andersen (39-25-5) has been the primary option in goal for Toronto this season. If Toronto decides to rest him, however, head coach Mike Babcock might roll with Curtis McElhinney (11-7-1), who has a .934 save percentage and 2.14 goals against average this year.
Mitchell Marner and Auston Matthews will both lead the way for the visiting Maple Leafs. Marner (69 points) has tallied 22 goals and 47 assists, and has recorded two or more points in 18 different games. Matthews has 33 goals and 27 assists to his creditand has registered a point in 39 games.
New Jersey is 43-37 straight up (SU) and has earned 12.9 units for moneyline bettors this season. Through 80 regular season outings, 41 of its games have gone over the total, while 37 have gone under and just two have pushed. The team is 22-18 SU at home this season.
The Devils have converted on 21.7 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s good enough for ninth-best in the league. Its penalty kill is also ranked ninth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 81.9 percent of all opponent power plays.
Devils players have been whistled for penalties 3.7 times per game in total this season, and 3.0 per game over their last five at home. The team’s been forced to kill penalties just 6.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Cory Schneider has stopped 28.0 shots per game as the primary option in goal for the Devils. Schneider has 18 wins, 21 losses, and six OT losses to his credit and has recorded a pedestrian 2.88 goals against average and a poor .909 save percentage this year.
Taylor Hall (39 goals, 54 assists) will lead the attack for the home team.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. New Jersey Devils Betting Predictions
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Maple Leafs, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
New Jersey is 5-4 in games decided by a shootout this season while Toronto is 7-2 in shootouts.
The total has gone over in four of New Jersey’s last five outings.
New Jersey has averaged 3.7 goals per game (while allowing just 2.0) over its three-game winning streak.
Five of Toronto’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 4-1 in those games.
xxxxx
