NHL: Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils, and Ottawa Senators all in action

We have been treated to some stunning NHL action recently, and we’ve got some more exciting games to look forward to in the next few days. Check out our preview of the two Monday night matches — the Toronto Maple Leafs v the Carolina Hurricanes, and the Ottawa Senators v the New Jersey Devils. We will also refer to the latest match odds.

Toronto Maple Leafs buoyant after demolishing New Jersey Devils

The Maple Leafs have been churning out the wins, and they have been in a rich vein of form. They cleaned up against the Devils, as they romped to a 7-1 victory. Mitch Marner was the pick of the players for the Leafs, as he provided two goals as well as two assists.

Earlier in the week, the Maple Leafs played out a 10-goal thriller against the Devils, as they enjoyed a 6-4 win. Although there is an eight-point buffer between the Maple Leafs in third spot and Atlantic table-toppers Florida Panthers, if the Maple Leafs can continue in this manner, they will bridge that gap.

• Toronto Maple Leafs to beat Carolina Hurricanes @2.28 with Casumo
• Carolina Hurricanes to beat Toronto Maple Leafs @2.63 with Casumo

The calm before the Maple Leafs storm

As mentioned, the Maple Leafs have been making serene progress and trundling along nicely this season. At the moment, they are on course for a 118-point season, and their franchise record is 105 points in the 2017/18 campaign. We’ll have to see how they travel in the next few months, but the signs are looking positive.

Carolina Hurricanes still leading the way in the Metropolitan Division

The Hurricanes have been hugely impressive for large chunks of the season. Whenever they have had a setback, they have responded very positively. The 7-4 defeat to the Devils last month highlighted this, as they went on to reel off four wins in a row. They are top of the Metro Division after 42 games played.

Carolina Hurricanes putting themselves in the Stanley Cup picture

After a dismal start to the season, the Hurricanes have turned things around, and everything is clicking together. As mentioned, they are top of the Metro Division, but, more crucially, they have five games in hand over closest rivals the New York Rangers.

Ottawa Senators scramble to win over Edmonton Oilers

The Senators have had a tough couple of weeks. After back-to-back defeats against the Hurricanes and the Anaheim Ducks, the Senators returned to winning ways with a 3-2 win over the Oilers earlier this week. It was a much-needed win, as they are seventh in the Atlantic Division.

Currently, the Senators’ record stands at 14-22-4 after 42 matches played, but they need to tighten up at the back. They have been very leaky, conceding 136 goals already, which isn’t good enough at this level.

• Ottawa Senators to beat New Jersey Devils @2.25 with Casumo
• New Jersey Devils to beat Ottawa Senators @2.65 with Casumo

Meanwhile, the Devils will be hoping to have a clearer idea of when Dougie Hamilton will return to the ice. Last month, Hamilton had surgery on a broken jaw, but no timetable had been given for his return. Devils fans will be hoping he’s back sooner rather than later.

New Jersey Devils in need of inspiration

Like Monday night’s opponents, things haven’t happened the way the Devils would have hoped for this season. Currently, the Devils are rooted to the bottom of the Metropolitan Division with a 15-25-5 record after 45 matches. They were made to pay the price for blowing the lead against the Maple Leafs.

Now the Devils are without a win in their past six NHL outings. Something has got to give, and they need to return to basics if they are going to start winning games again. Although the Senators have started a mini winning run, the Devils will be hoping to end their own torrid losing streak.