Two of the league’s best at finding the net on the power play, the New Jersey Devils and the Toronto Maple Leafs collide at Scotiabank Arena. The puck drops at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, November 9, and you’ll be able to watch this Eastern Conference matchup live on The Sports Network.
New Jersey Devils at Toronto Maple Leafs Odds
The Maple Leafs are 10-5 straight up (SU) and have earned moneyline bettors 1.4 units this year. That winning percentage, the NHL’s third-best so far in this young season, is fairly close to what the team posted during the 2017-18 season (49-33). Through 15 regular season outings, 11 of its games have gone under the total, while four have gone over and none have pushed. The team’s 4-5 SU at home this year.
Toronto’s been able to convert on 28.9 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked fourth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 85.7 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, Toronto has been penalized just 3.0 times per game this season. Last year, the club posted the second-lowest mark in the league with 3.3 penalties per game. After serving an average of 7.2 penalty minutes per game a year ago, the team’s been forced to kill penalties for 6.3 minutes per matchup this season.
Sporting a .929 save percentage and 28.2 saves per game, Frederik Andersen (8-5) has been the top goalkeeper for the Maple Leafs this year. If head coach Mike Babcock chooses to give him a rest, however, the team might go with the undefeated Garret Sparks (2-0 record, .892 save percentage, 3.49 goals against average).
Mitchell Marner and Morgan Rielly will both be focal points for the Maple Leafs. Marner (19 points) has tallied five goals and 14 assists and has recorded two or more points on six different occasions this year. Rielly has six goals and 12 assists to his name and has notched at least one point in 10 contests.
On the other side of the rink, New Jersey is 6-7 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.9 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. Seven of its contests have gone over the total, while five have gone under the total and just one has pushed. As the away team, New Jersey is 1-5 SU so far.
New Jersey has scored on 26.4 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s good enough for eighth-best in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 15th overall and it’s successfully killed off 80.8 percent of all penalties.
New Jersey’s players have been whistled for penalties 4.8 times per game this season, a number that has climbed some from the 3.8 penalties per game given up a year ago. After serving an average of 9.1 penalty minutes per game a season ago the team’s been forced to kill penalties for 10.6 minutes per outing this year.
Keith Kinkaid (2.58 goals against average and .918 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for New Jersey. Kinkaid is averaging 27.0 saves per game and has six wins, six losses, and one overtime loss to his credit.
Leading the offensive push for the visiting Devils will be Kyle Palmieri (10 goals, seven assists) and Taylor Hall (three goals, 12 assists).
New Jersey Devils at Toronto Maple Leafs Free Picks
Pick: SU Winner – Maple Leafs, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes
The under has hit in each of Toronto’s last five games.
The extra-man advantage may play a critical role tonight. The Devils are 3-0 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 3-3 in games where they’re in the box for fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Maple Leafs are 3-1 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 8-5 when they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
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