The Toronto Maple Leafs have owned the New Jersey Devils in recent history. Toronto has won nine of its last 10 games (9-0-1) against the Devils, including five straight in New Jersey. And yet, the NHL lines slightly favor the Devils to win this Eastern Conference tilt. New Jersey has won eight of its last nine home games so is this finally the game it beats Toronto?
Maple Leafs Thrive as Underdogs
It is not often you can bet online on Toronto at plus money. Tuesday is one of those nights. The Leafs last ousted Calgary 2-1 as a +105 underdog and are 6-4 on the moneyline as one and 9-1 on the puck line. Their only one-sided defeat came at the hands of the Boston Bruins.
Toronto has almost everything you need in a team: elite offense, solid goaltending and improving two-way play. This is a team that allows just 27.7 scoring chances per 60 minutes on 5-on-5, which is the 10th-best in the NHL. Both Ilya Samsonov and Matt Murray have held their own in net and have combined 10.4 goals saved above average (GSAA).
The Leafs are doubling down on its defense-first approach. They made NHL news by acquiring a glut of defensemen during the NHL trade deadline. The likes of Luke Schenn and Jake McCabe bring some depth and physicality to the team that will pay off.
John Tavares on Jake McCabe jumping in following Tyler Myers hit:
“I went & thanked him after. Any time someone comes in & steps up for you obviously means a lot especially a new guy that’s just getting acclimated. Not an easy thing to do so definitely much appreciated.” https://t.co/rg0zaBlF4e
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) March 5, 2023
Devils Finding Form at Home
The Devils are finally starting to win games at home. Still, this is a team that is just 13th overall in point percentage (61.3) on friendly ice. New Jersey’s 18-13 (18-11-2) record looks decent, but when considering its hefty online sports betting lines, the Devils are not a good team to bet online here – at least not cumulatively.
But you can’t argue with their performances as of late: A 7-0 dismantling of Philadelphia plus wins over Seattle, Vegas, and Pittsburgh further established the Devils as a contender. The team is getting it done on both ends whether its through the offense – four or more goals scored in four of last five home wins – or defense (2.71 goals against).
The team’s penalty-kill is among the best in the NHL at 85.6 percent (fourth overall). The Devils have not allowed a power-play (PP) goal in its last nine home games (0-of-19). Even if the team struggles to score on their own PP at times, it can keep delivering among NHL picks.
Maple Leafs vs Devils Game Injuries
Maple Leafs vs Devils Head-to-Head
The results are one-sided for Toronto here, but the totals are more evenly spread: 6-4 in favor of the over. The last three meetings have gone under the total with no team scoring more than three goals. Each game was decided by one goal.
Maple Leafs vs Devils Game Information
- Game: Maple Leafs (38-17-8) vs Devils (41-15-6)
- Day/Time: Tuesday, March 7, 7:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Prudential Center, Newark, NJ
- Maple Leafs vs Devils Live Stream: NHL.TV
Maple Leafs vs Devils Betting Lines
Maple Leafs vs Devils Picks and Prediction
Going by these NHL betting lines, it’s Toronto or pass. The Maple Leafs are just as good if not better than the Devils. Special teams will be a key decider here as the Devils will look to neutralize the Leafs’ elite PP. But even if Toronto can’t get it done here, it has enough firepower to overcome the Devils.
New Jersey is listed at -135 in our NHL lines. This means that if you wager $100 on the Devils, you have a chance to win $74. Toronto is +115, offering a chance to win $115 on a $100 wager.
The implied probability attached to the betting lines gives New Jersey a 57.45% chance to win, with the Maple Leafs at 46.51%.
Maple Leafs vs Devils Trends
Maple Leafs vs Devils Edge
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Maple Leafs vs Devils Game Summary
