NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Devils vs. Maple Leafs (November 17)

Devils vs. Maple Leafs Odds

The New Jersey Devils are by far the hottest team in the NHL as they enter this contest on a 10-game win streak with a record of 13-3-0. They look absolutely unstoppable.

Matt Murray made his return to action for the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night and they are hoping he can help guide this team to a nice little win streak of their own as the Leafs have won two games in a row.

It's very hard to bet against the Devils right now and I am very surprised they are underdogs in this contest.

Will the Leafs be able to put an end to the Devils' streak?

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New Jersey Devils

The Devils have taken the NHL by storm and have been the topic of discussion for the past week or so. A lot of people are saying the Devils' success might be a fluke, but their underlying numbers imply the opposite. They have been driving play and dictating the pace of the game. They're absolutely buzzing offensively and generating a ton of offense. 

Entering this game, the Devils are scoring the third most goals per game, averaging 3.75 while also leading the NHL in expected goals percentage (62.68%). This team has become one of the most electric offenses in the NHL, scoring 13 goals in its past three games.

Jesper Bratt, Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier are becoming quite the trio. Bratt is leading the way with six goals and 15 assists. Hughes is right there with him, tallying seven goals with 11 assists and Hischier has eight of his own goals while adding nine assists.

The only question mark right now for New Jersey is the goaltending. Mackenzie Blackwood went down with an injury so Vitek Vanecek and Akira Schmid have been splitting the cage, but it appears that Vanecek might be the more dominant of the two.

Vanecek enters this contest with an incredible 7-1-0 record. He's also boasting a .915 SV% and a 2.17 GAA to go along with a +0.6 GSAx.

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs are very happy to have their starting goalie, Matt Murray back in the lineup. Murray has only made two starts this season, so he will have a very tough challenge ahead of him tonight. 

The Leafs have been a little streaky this season. When they're hot, they look really good, but when they're cold, they're an absolute mess. The goal scoring hasn't come as easy for Toronto this season as they have been relatively subpar in that department. The Leafs are averaging just 2.94 goals per game, but their power play is still their biggest weapon, scoring at a 25.9% success rate.

Toronto has been much better defensively than they have been in years past, but this might be the most difficult matchup that they've had up to this point. As a team, the Maple Leafs are only allowing 2.71 goals against per game, but what they need to focus on most tonight is limiting the Devils' offensive zone possession.

The Maple Leafs have been known for having elite players for the past few seasons and tonight they will need those players, such as Auston Matthews, John Tavares and Mitch Marner to step up.

Devils vs. Maple Leafs Pick

Getting the Devils as an underdog while they are on a 10-game win streak almost feels like stealing. They have been unbelievable over the course of this streak and this is such a difficult opportunity to pass up. They are doing almost everything to the best of their ability. Offensively, they are firing on all cylinders. In the defensive zone, they are limiting their opponents' shooting opportunities.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are a good team, but with Matt Murray having minimal action this season it is really hard to think he will be the goalie who can put an end to the Devils' win streak.

I think New Jersey continues to ride this hot streak and extends it to 11.

Pick: Devils Moneyline (+122)

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