NJ Devils vs. Toronto Maple Leafs odds, picks and predictions

The New Jersey Devils (41-15-6, 2nd in Metropolitan) are back on home ice as they take on the Toronto Maple Leafs (38-17-8, 2nd in Atlantic) at the Prudential Center on Tuesday night at 7 p.m.

New Jersey won two of three games on its most recent road trip and have been victorious in seven of its last 10 games.

The Leafs are coming off a disappointing 4-1 defeat to the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night.

Here are my picks and predictions for this matchup between two Eastern Conference playoff bound teams with odds powered by Tipico Sportsbook.

Devils vs. Leafs puck line: Devils -1.5 (+175)

Even though the Devils are only 12-19 on the puck line this season on home ice, I'm backing New Jersey and here's why.

12 of the Devils' 26 games since the New Year have been decided by exactly one goal. However, while the Leafs have had two full days off since their last game, Toronto will be without two of its best players as both Ryan O' Reilly and John Tavares have been ruled out for tonight's matchup.

While these teams are evenly matched, New Jersey is catching Toronto at the perfect time with two of its star players injured and on the end of an over week-long road trip. Take the Devils to win by two or more goals at a great price of +175.

Devils vs. Leafs over/under: Under 6.5 goals (-110)

Both projected starters in net in Devils' Vitek Vanecek and Leafs' Ilya Samsonov have been great this season but struggled as of late.

Vanecek has allowed three or more goals in four straight outings and in four of his previous eight starts while Samsonov surrendered five goals in his last appearance.

These have two of the better netminders in the entire NHL this season and I expect them to both bounce back on Tuesday night. Wager on the under as I believe it goes well below this total.

Devils vs. Leafs moneyline: Devils (-135)

With two of the best defensive teams in the league going head-to-head, this will be a close, low-scoring affair with the Devils coming out on top as they take care of a shorthanded Leafs team and close the gap on the division leading Carolina Hurricanes.

Bet on New Jersey to win at the Prudential Center for the ninth time in its last 10 games.

My Best Bets

Place a wager on the Devils moneyline (-135), to cover the -1.5 puck line (+175) and the under 6.5 total goals scored at -110 on Tipico Sportsbook.