New Jersey Devils vs Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Picks

Don't hold your breath waiting for either the Maple Leafs or Devils to make the playoffs. These have been two of the most disappointing teams in the NHL this season. New Jersey is 11 points out of the final wild-card spot, while Toronto is 12 points out of third in the Atlantic Division, and nine points from a wild-card spot. Obviously, neither team can afford to lose this game, so expect a tight defensive matchup. The Devils are averaging a meager 1.7 goals a game in regulation during their past eight games. They haven't exceeded more than one goal in five games during this span. Toronto is fourth best in killing penalties. But the Maple Leafs have their own offensive woes. They are averaging only 1.7 goals per game during their last four games. Center
and star player Auston Matthews hasn’t scored in his last eight games, which has really hurt Toronto. Take the UNDER. 

New Jersey finally showed some success in the offensive zone while taking the Capitals to overtime before losing 4-3 on Saturday. The Devils had scored a total of seven goals in their previous five games. The Devils have won six of seven playing with two days' rest, and Toronto is 1-4 in its past five against teams with winning records. The Maple Leafs have lost six of nine, including 3-2 to Detroit in overtime on Sunday. Toronto is 3-10 playing with one day of rest. Jacob Markstrom is probable for New Jersey; he is 9-8-1, but he hasn't gotten much support, as the Devils have failed to score more than one goal in five of his past seven starts. Joseph Woll (7-4-1) will be in net for the Maple Leafs. The Devils have won 10 of 19 road games. Toronto has won 12 of 22 at home. Take the Devils on the puck line.

New Jersey has won four in a row, allowing just nine goals. The defense is third in penalty killing and in shots on goal allowed. Toronto plays its fifth straight home game, splitting the last two in overtime, a 2-1 win over the Rangers and a 4-3 loss to Seattle. The power play ranks 27th, while the defense is 13th in penalty killing. The Maple Leafs are on a 10-6 run UNDER the total in regular-season action. Toronto got swept by New Jersey last year, scoring just six goals in three games. Take New Jersey/Toronto UNDER the total.  

New Jersey has winning records both home and away. Their +27 goal differential is the third-best in the Eastern Conference. The offense is third on the power play and 11th in goals scored, while the top-10 defense is seventh in penalty killing, fourth in goals allowed (2.50 per game), and sixth in save percentage (.909). Toronto has a +8 goal differential with a power play that is ranked 18th and is just two for 14 over the last six contests. The Maple Leafs have dropped three in a row by a 13-4 count, including a 3-0 loss at home to Vancouver as -180 chalk. Play New Jersey. 

Toronto has won seven of 10 and is working on two days of rest. The defense is fifth in the league in goals given up, eighth in penalty killing, and third in save percentage (.918). New Jersey is working on one day of rest after losing at home to Colorado, 4-0, as a -155 favorite. The Devils are 3-3 over the last six contests, losing as chalk of -225, -165, and -155. They've also lost two of their last three home games. Toronto won at New Jersey last month, 4-2, as an underdog with three first-period goals and is more than capable of winning again. Play Toronto.