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New Jersey Devils vs. Toronto Maple Leafs NHL Picks | Preview

Its NHL betting time once again. The New Jersey Devils vs. Toronto Maple Leafs is on tap tonight. Both will be trying to pick up a win with the line opening with Toronto as a -125 favorite in this matchup. The over/under is set at 5.5, here is the handicapping preview…

2011 NHL Hockey Free Predictions: Devils vs. Maple Leafs

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New Jersey Devils (20-30-4) at Toronto Maple Leafs (23-26-5)
Date/Time: Thursday, February 10, 2011, 7:00 PM ET
Venue: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario
Broadcast: TSN (HD), MSG (HD)
Devils vs. Leafs Betting Lines from Bodog.com
Spread: OFF
Moneyline: Devils +105: Maple Leafs -125
Over/Under 5.5 goals
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Two Eastern Conference teams that were left for dead are suddenly making some noise while at the same time are creating some problems for those currently occupying playoff positions. The New Jersey Devils, winners of two straight games travel to Toronto on Thursday night to take on a Leafs team that has also won two straight.

The New Jersey Devils took half a season to wake up but now that they have, they have become one of the most effective spoilers in the NHL. It’s not exactly a role that the Devils would have dreamt up for themselves but it is a sign that this team can compete. They are 10-1-2 in their last 13 games and sit 15 points back of eighth place in the East.

New Jersey still owns the worst offense in the NHL, averaging only 2.1 goals per game. However their best players are finally starting to consistently contribute. Travis Zajac has been on fire with two goals and four assists in his last three games and Ilya Kovalchuk has three goals and three assists during a five game points streak. Brian Rolston and Patrik Elias are both pointless in their last three games. If they can get going, the Devils could be even more of a second half force.

The Devils look like they will have to rely on Johan Hedberg between the pipes. It’s too bad considering that Martin Brodeur was 8-1-1 in ten games before tweaking his knee. Hedberg got the win on Tuesday night and has a 1.75 goals against average in his last two games.

The Toronto Maple Leafs players are doing their best to showcase themselves before the trade deadline figures to see a few moved. Toronto is 5-5 in their last 10 games and has won four of their last five games. The offense has been better and James Reimer has been an absolute revelation in goal.

Toronto owns the 24th ranked offense in the league, averaging just 2.6 goals per game. However, during a five game stretch (they have won four of those games), the Leafs have averaged 3.6 goals per game. Colby Armstrong and Nikolai Kulemin each have five game point streaks on the line Thursday night – Armstrong has one goal and six assists and Kulemin has four goals and three assists over that span. Thomas Kaberle has also been very good recording four points in his last two games. Paging Phil Kessel – he has one goal in 12 games and one point in his last six!

Toronto’s defense has also been better – James Reimer has made a major difference for the Leafs. The 25th ranked defense (3.1 goals allowed per game) has been buoyed by the unheralded Reimer who is 6-4-0 this season with a 2.44 goals against average. Reimer was good on Tuesday but was horrible on Saturday however. In his last two starts, Reimer is 1-1-0 with a 4.80 goals against average.

Betting Prediction: The New Jersey Devils are 9-17-1 on the road this season but are 8-1-1 in their last 10 games overall. The Toronto Maple Leafs are 13-11-1 at home this season and are 7-1-2 in their last 10 games against the Devils.

New Jersey is a different team under Jacques Lemaire. Defensive zone coverage and confidence has translated into results for this team. Both teams enter Thursday’s showdown hot but the Devils have been the much better team overall. New Jersey keeps the improbable run going!

Pick: New Jersey Devils +105 and the Over – 5.5 goals

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By DaveB

Dave B has been a Fantasy Football writer for us for 10 years. A couch potato wannabe, Dave’s insights have been read by 10’s of people for years. He hope’s for world peace + global relaxation. Enjoy and remember only smoke things that are completely natural.