Among six games on Sunday’s NHL slate, the New Jersey Devils and Toronto Maple Leafs face off with both teams on a back-to-back.
The Devils are coming off of a thrilling overtime win which was their fourth straight victory, and eighth in nine games.
The Leafs are trending in a different direction, having lost 4-2 to the Montreal Canadiens last night for their fourth defeat in five games.
Devils vs. Maple Leafs betting picks and predictions
Devils 3-way ML (+100)
There is not a huge margin of difference between these teams, with both having game-changing superstars that can flip the game on any shift.
However, the Devils' recent form makes them a difficult fade until or unless they show otherwise. The Devils are one of the hottest teams in hockey, and have been for nearly a month, going 10-2-0 in their last 12 games with a +18 goal differential during that span.
Lately, it is the Devils’ goal scoring as opposed to goal prevention that has led to success. They have scored 19 goals in their last four games, and have scored five goals in four out of their last six.
That is not a great matchup for this Maple Leafs team that has been leaky on the goal prevention side. Toronto has scored two goals in three out of their last five games, a stretch in which they have points in just one game.
New Jersey looks to be the better team in better form right now and can bury their opponent in regulation this time, having gone past regulation in three straight.
Over 6.5 (+105)
As alluded to, the Devils are scoring seemingly at will lately. At the rate they are scoring, they are leaving very little work for the opponent to do to contribute to the game total over.
With New Jersey’s rampant production, the over has hit in six consecutive games as part of 11 overs in their last 12 games.
Similarly to their form as a team in general, until or unless game total trends change with any consistency, the over has been a mainstay in Devils games this year and is a tough fade.
Fortunately for the Devils, their goal scoring has been able to somewhat disguise struggling defense and goaltending.
Although New Jersey is 5-1-0 since acquiring Connor Hellebuyck, they have allowed 18 goals in their last five games including 11 goals in their last three.
The combination of weak goal prevention and strong goal scoring typically bodes well for game total overs.
The same should be the case tonight in a game against a Toronto team that ranks eighth in the NHL in goals scored per game and have the sixth best power play.
Jack Hughes anytime goalscorer (+140)
There are several players on both sides of this one that can change the game with a flick of the wrist. But for all intents and purposes, Jack Hughes is the player with the most appeal. He is by odds the most likely player in this game to score, and gets a nice +140 to do so.
Hughes enters this game in particularly good form. He has tallied five goals and nine points in his last five games as part of seven goals and 14 points in eight games. Hughes is +12 over that eight-game span while averaging over 20 minutes of ice time per game.
The 25-year-old is obviously relied on in a big way in this Devils lineup. He is on a hot streak where he is coming through game in and game out.
It does not hurt that his linemates, Jesper Bratt and Arseny Gritsyuk are the next two players on the team that trail Hughes with 16 and 13 points respectively.
This Devils team is clicking, Hughes is a key reason, and the Maple Leafs are vulnerable at the moment. This is a good spot for Hughes and the Devils to take advantage.
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Devils vs. Maple Leafs odds
New Jersey Devils | -155 |
Toronto Maple Leafs | +130 |
Puck Line | NJ -1.5 |
Total | O/U 6.5 |
Devils vs. Maple Leafs
Anytime goalscorer
Jack Hughes (Devils) | +140 |
Auston Matthews (Maple Leafs) | +145 |
William Nylander (Maple Leafs) | +180 |
Nico Hischier (Devils) | +185 |
Jack Roslovic (Maple Leafs) | +255 |
John Tavares (Maple Leafs) | +255 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
