In this article we will formulate a Maple Leafs vs Devils prediction for this NHL game on Tuesday, December 30th at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Preview
The Toronto Maple Leafs are 17-15-6 this season after they lost to Detroit in overtime by a score of 3-2 in their last game. Toronto led 1-0 and 2-1, but they couldn’t hold either lead and ended up losing in overtime. The Maple Leafs were out shot by a total of 36-27, won 46.7% of the face-offs, and went 1-2 on the power play in the game. Toronto got goals from Knies and Robertson, while Hildeby stopped 33 out of 36 shots, which was a .917 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Toronto defeated the Senators by a score of 7-5 and the Penguins by a score of 6-3. The Maple Leafs have won two of their last three games and they are currently last in the Atlantic standings with 40 points. Toronto has scored 3.26 goals per game and they have allowed 3.37 goals against per game, while also going 15.5% on the power play and 83.7% on the penalty kill this season. William Nylander has led Toronto with 14 goals and 27 assists, while John Tavares has added 15 goals and 20 assists. The projected starting goalie for Toronto is Joseph Woll, who is 7-4-1 with a 2.73 goals against average and a .915 save percentage this season.
New Jersey Devils Betting Preview
The New Jersey Devils are 20-16-2 this year after they lost to Washington in overtime by a score of 4-3 in their last game. New Jersey led 3-2 in the third period, but they blew the lead and lost with 54 seconds left in overtime. The Devils out shot Washington by a total of 38-33, won 33.9% of the face-offs, and went 1-2 on the power play in the game. New Jersey got goals from Bratt (2) and Glass, while Allen stopped 29 out of 33 shots, which was an .879 save percentage.
Prior to that game, New Jersey lost to the Islanders by a score of 2-1 and the Sabres by a score of 3-1. The Devils have lost three games in a row and they are currently sixth in the Metro standings with 42 points. New Jersey has scored 2.71 goals per game and they have allowed 3.00 goals against per game, while also going 21.3% on the power play and 76.0% on the penalty kill this season. Jesper Bratt has led New Jersey with eight goals and 23 assists, while Nico Hischier has added 10 goals and 20 assists. The projected starting goalie for New Jersey is Jacob Markstrom, who is 9-8-1 with a 3.33 goals against average and an .883 save percentage this year.
Why the Toronto Maple Leafs will win
- The underdogs have won each of the Devils’ last six games.
- The Devils have lost each of their last six games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Devils have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last 11 games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Maple Leafs have covered the puck line in 16 of their last 17 games as home underdogs after coming off overtime.
- The underdogs have won the third period in each of the Devils’ last four games at Scotiabank Arena.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Maple Leafs’ last five games against opponents on a losing streak have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Each of the Devils’ last four night games at Scotiabank Arena have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Maple Leafs’ last eight games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in 16 of the Devils’ last 18 games after coming off overtime.
Toronto Maple Leafs Player Prop Facts
- Jake McCabe has recorded an assist in each of the Maple Leafs’ last four night games at Scotiabank Arena.
- John Tavares has scored a goal in each of his last five appearances with the Maple Leafs as home underdogs against Metropolitan Division opponents.
New Jersey Devils Player Prop Facts
- Jack Hughes has scored a goal in each of his last five appearances with the Devils as road favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Nico Hischier has recorded at least one assist in each of the Devils’ last six games as road favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Toronto Maple Leafs rank 28th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.37).
- The Toronto Maple Leafs rank 5th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (83.67%).
- The New Jersey Devils rank 27th in the league for goals per game this season (2.71).
- The New Jersey Devils rank 27th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (76.00%).
Maple Leafs vs Devils Prediction
Toronto comes into this matchup after a tough overtime loss in Detroit, but they have played better in their last three games. The Maple Leafs are 12-5-5 at home this year, while the Devils are 10-9-0 on the road. New Jersey has lost four games in a row and they have scored two goals or fewer in four of their last five. I don’t trust this New Jersey offense right now and I think Toronto has figured some things out, so give me the Leafs to win at home.