NHL Tuesday best bets: Running with the Devils in New Jersey

We have a packed 10-game slate on the docket Tuesday night. Let's waste no time in getting to our best bets.

The Devils are a well-oiled machine right now. They own a 7-2-1 record over the last 10 games and have posted very strong underlying numbers in the process.

Even in defeat, they are routinely out-performing their opponents. Over the last two defeats, for example, they generated 90 shots while conceding only 44.

They've been a tough out every single night, and the floor, and ceiling, of the team should only rise with the addition of Timo Meier.

He looked a little out of sync with new linemates Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt in his debut last time out, yet he still found the back of the net and generated a few shots. The sky is the limit as he becomes more comfortable.

New Jersey's top six is a problem for anyone, and there is real depth behind them as well. The play of its bottom six has been a big separator of late. Ondrej Palat, Erik Haula, and Jesper Boqvist have posted a 76% expected goal share since being assembled a few games ago. Meanwhile, the fourth line has netted five goals over the last 10.

I think New Jersey's forward depth is going to cause the Maple Leafs problems in this game. With John Tavares and Ryan O'Reilly out of the lineup, the Leafs don't seem to have the punch to match up with a team like the Devils from top to bottom.

The lack of dynamic ability outside of the big guns, coupled with a shallowness down the middle as a byproduct of injuries, is likely going to be the difference.

Look for the Devils to claim another two points as they continue to push the Hurricanes for top spot in the Metro Division.

Bet: Devils (-125)

Death, taxes, and Minnesota Wild unders. Their games have featured five goals or fewer 11 times over the past 12 contests. That is absurd in a modern NHL where goal scoring is rising substantially.

When you take to the numbers, it is easy to see why the Wild have played in so many low-scoring games. They have not generated high-danger chances at an efficient clip, and they lack firepower in their lineup beyond the big dogs up front.

With Grade A looks coming few and far between, and a lack of finishers taking the chances that do come, it's understandable that they've struggled to convert.

The Wild have won a lot of games anyway on the back of strong defense and Filip Gustavsson. We'll start with the former. Over the past 12 games, the Wild rank third in high-danger chance suppression at five-on-five. They're not giving up much.

When they do, the Wild have one of the league's best netminders this season there to bail them out. Gustavsson owns a remarkable .933 save percentage - league average is .900 - and ranks second in Goals Saved Above Expected per start, only slotting behind Linus Ullmark.

He is at the peak of his powers right now, having conceded two goals or fewer in eight of his last nine games.

The Flames are a poor finishing team, they are very good at limiting high-danger chances, and they're in a back-to-back situation.

With every point crucial, I think they'll be happy to play this game tight to the vest and keep it within striking distance from start to finish.

Don't expect much offense in Minnesota.

Bet: Under 5.5 (+100)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.

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