Toronto Maple Leafs @ New Jersey Devils
Tonight, 7:00 p.m. ET
Sportsbook odds: Maple Leafs +175, Devils -210

Not only do we have Dion Phaneuf and the energized Leafs in New Jersey tonight, we have an energized New Jersey team that just acquired Ilya Kovalchuk. Arguably, the Devils have never had a more dynamic offense player on their roster. While Kovalchuk’s offense likely won’t grow under Jacques Lemaire’s defensive system, he should still flourish. At least on the power play, he should play with Zach Parise...and that’s pretty terrifying.

The odds are stacked against Toronto tonight. It already beat the Devils at home earlier this week, so Jersey naturally wants to return the favor. Also, the Leafs beat Yann Danis, not Martin Brodeur. Now that Marty is back between the pipes, the offensively challenged Leafs should have a devil of a time scoring, pun intended. Meanwhile, Kovalchuk will surely be anxious to show his new club what he can do – especially in front of a home crowd.

Most interesting tonight should be Phaneuf versus Kovalchuk. Don’t be surprised if Phaneuf takes some major runs at him; what better way to endear himself to Leaf fans than to shut down the hot new Devils star?

It should be an exciting game tonight but I can’t see New Jersey losing this one. The Devils will be too pumped up.

Pick: Devils -210