NHL Picks & Preview: Leafs vs Devils, Capitals vs Wings, Jets vs Predators Games

Will Auston Matthews hit 70 goals?

Yesterday we wrote about Sidney Crosby and his Pittsburgh Penguins, in Toronto last night to play the Maple Leafs, their playoff hopes on a razor’s edge. The Leafs came out on top 3-2, off an OT goal by Jake McCabe.  

While they still left with a point, that OT loss left the Pens in a tie with the Detroit Red Wings for the last Eastern Conference wildcard spot, each team with 84 points. The bad news for the Pens is the Wings have a game in hand, which they pick up tonight, in a big game against the Washington Capitals, also in the wildcard hunt.

In Toronto the focus is more on Auston Matthews, as he closes in on 70 goals. Last night he potted his 65th. The Leafs have five games left.

The only other players in NHL history to pull off the feat – Phil Esposito, Wayne Gretzky (4 times), Jari Kurri, Mario Lemieux (2 times), Bernie Nichols, Brett Hull (3 times), Alex Mogilny, Teemu Selanne.

Impressive company. The Leafs play the New Jersey Devils twice, the Red Wings, Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning.

Proline+ has a market dedicated to this – with odds at 3.25 that he makes it.
 

NHL Schedule: Game Details

Game 1: Leafs vs Devils Insights

A glance at the NHL standings sees the Leafs just three points back of the Florida Panthers in the Atlantic Division, and the Panthers are sliding, 3-5-2 in their last ten. The Leafs have a game in hand on the Panthers. So two things are motivating them going into New Jersey tonight – getting Matthews to 70 goals, and over-taking the Panthers (remember the two of them hook up April 16 as well).

The Devils are pretty much out of the race (37-36-5-79, five points out of a wildcard). They did win the last time these two teams met – 6-3, in March.

The Maple Leafs have earned a point in 11 of their last 12 meetings against the Devils (10-1-1). Entering tonight’s matchup, the Maple Leafs have won five of their last six games. The Leafs are skating in their second game of a back-to-back tonight against the Devils. Toronto has posted a 6-5-0 record in the second game of a back-to-back this season.

Joseph Woll (11-10-1 2.83 GAA, .910 SV%) is the likely starter for the Leafs tonight, with the Devils likely countering with Jake Allen (11-16-4 3.35 GAA .899 SV%).

The Leafs’ PP is tied for sixth in the NHL, at 24.6%, the Devils are 12th in PK (80.3%). The Leafs’ PK has been improving of late and are 19th in the NHL at 78.1% (the Devils’ PP, at 21.7%, is 14th).

On the injury front, D Joel Edmundson, D Timothy Liljegren and F Calle Jarnkrok are not expected to return until early next week, best case scenario according to ESPN.com. With the Devils, D Dougie Hamilton might miss the rest of the season, ESPN reports. LW Nolan Foote, D Joe Marino and G Kaapo Kahkonen are day to day. 
 

🏒 Bet on Leafs vs. Devils at DraftKings 🏒

Leafs vs Devils Player Props

According to DraftKings today, Auston Matthews First Goalscorer (6.50) is a most bet player prop. At BetMGM, it’s Matthews Anytime Goalscorer (1.87), Matthews To Score First Goal (9.00) and Matthews To Score 2+ Goals (6.00) seeing the most attention from bettors today.

According to FanDuel, the top prop bet for Leafs versus Devils is Auston Matthews Anytime Goalscorer (1.91).

Game 2: Capitals vs Wings Insights

It’s been a stunning drop by the Capitals, losers of six straight. Still, they are 36-30-11-83, and sit just one point behind the Wings (38-31-8-84) for that last wildcard spot. Tonight, they go into Detroit to face a Wings team that’s 4-4-2 in their last ten, with a home record of 22-12-5. The Wings are led by Dylan Larkin, who has 31 goals. Shayne Gostisbehere has six assists in his last ten games.

The Capitals are 16-18-4 on the road. Alex Ovechkin has eight goals and two assists in his last ten games. RW T.J. Oshie is day-to-day, while D Rasmus Sandin is out. C Michael Rasmussen is out for the Wings.

This is the third time these two will meet this season. The Capitals won the previous game 4-3. Alex Lyon (20-17-4-2 SO, 2.98 GAA, .908 SV%) is confirmed to start in goal for Detroit, while Charlie Lindgren (21-15-7-6 SOs 2.82 GAA .907 SV%) is listed as probable for Washington.  

🏒 Bet on Capitals vs. Wings at FanDuel 🏒

Capitals vs Wings Player Props

On the NHL betting front, at DraftKings, Alex Ovechkin Anytime Goalscorer (2.10), and Under 0.5 Assists (1.77), John Carlson Under 0.5 Assists (1.95) are most bet player props. At BetMGM, Ovechkin Anytime Goalscorer (2.45), Ovechkin To Score First Goal (12.00) and Carlson Under 0.5 Assists (1.91) are seeing the most attention from bettors.

Game 3: Jets vs Predators Insights

The Winnipeg Jets have picked themselves back up after a bit of a late season swoon there, winners of three in a row.

The Jets (47-24-6-100, 3rd in the Central Division, two points behind second place Colorado) have clinched a playoff spot and go into Nashville to play a Predators team (45-29-4-94, 4th in the Central Division) that has a firm hold on that first wildcard spot in the Western Conference.

The Predators are 6-4-0 in their last ten and are 22-16-1 at home. The Jets own a 22-13-3 road record. Laurent Brossoit (13-6-2-2 SOs, 2.10 GAA, .925 SV%) is listed as probable to start in goal for the Jets. Juuse Saros (34-23-4-3 SOs 2.78 GAA, .909 SV%) is listed as probable to start in goal for the Predators.

The Predators won 4-2 last time these teams met, in March.

🏒 Bet on Jets vs Predators at FanDuel 🏒

Jets vs Predators Player Props

According to BetMGM today, Filip Forsberg Anytime Goalscorer (2.25), Forsberg To Score First Goal (10.00) and Tyler Toffoli Under 0.5 Points (1.91) are most bet player props so far today.

Our NHL Picks Today

On the Canadian sports betting front, go with the Leafs on the moneyline, with what they have on the line tonight. Matthews will continue the march to 70 by scoring again tonight. The Devils are 5-4-1 in their last ten. 

In the second game, I think it’s time the Capitals awakened after the six-game slumber. They’ve burned me of late, though. I am not as trusting. I am going to take the Over (6.5) in this game. 

In Game 3, it’s Predators ATS. I like the fact the Preds have beaten the Jets in their last two matchups. I like Saros in net on home ice.