The NHL is back in full swing and with just a few games left in the regular season, the race for the playoffs is heating up. On April 9th, three exciting matchups will take place with the Toronto Maple Leafs taking on the New Jersey Devils, the Washington Capitals facing off against the Detroit Red Wings, and the Winnipeg Jets battling it out against the Nashville Predators. With each team fighting for their spot in the postseason, these games are sure to be intense and filled with high-stakes action.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at each of the three matchups, analyzing the current standings, key players, and recent performance to provide our expert picks and predictions for each game. So, whether you’re a die-hard fan or looking to get into some sports betting action, read on to find out all you need to know about these exciting games happening on April 9th.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. New Jersey Devils
Current Standings and Stats
The Toronto Maple Leafs (29-13-5) currently sit in first place in the North Division, while the New Jersey Devils (14-26-6) are in seventh place in the East Division. The Maple Leafs have been on a hot streak as of late, winning eight of their last ten games, while the Devils have struggled, winning just four of their last ten.
| Team | Wins | Losses | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 29 | 13 | 63 |
| New Jersey Devils | 14 | 26 | 34 |
Key Players to Watch
For the Toronto Maple Leafs, Auston Matthews has been a standout player this season, leading the league in goals with 36. His linemate, Mitch Marner, has also been a major contributor to the team’s success this season with 48 assists and 63 points. In goal, Jack Campbell has been impressive with a 2.03 GAA and a .924 save percentage.
On the other side, the New Jersey Devils have relied on their young star, Jack Hughes, who leads the team in points with 31. Defenseman Ty Smith has also been a standout player for the Devils this season, tallying 25 points. In net, Mackenzie Blackwood has been solid for the Devils with a 2.87 GAA and a .910 save percentage.
Recent Performance
As mentioned, the Maple Leafs have been on fire as of late, winning eight of their last ten games. They are coming off a dominant 4-0 win against the Montreal Canadiens and will be looking to continue their winning ways against the struggling Devils.
The Devils, on the other hand, have had a tough season, currently on a four-game losing streak. In their last game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, they were shut out by a score of 5-0. The Devils will need to turn things around quickly if they want to have any chance of beating the high-powered Maple Leafs.
Washington Capitals vs. Detroit Red Wings
Current Standings and Stats
The Washington Capitals (28-11-4) are in first place in the East Division, while the Detroit Red Wings (16-23-6) are sitting in seventh place. The Capitals have won seven of their last ten games, while the Red Wings have struggled, winning just three of their last ten.
| Team | Wins | Losses | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Capitals | 28 | 11 | 60 |
| Detroit Red Wings | 16 | 23 | 38 |
Key Players to Watch
The Washington Capitals have an impressive lineup this season, led by superstar Alexander Ovechkin, who has 22 goals and 42 points. Evgeny Kuznetsov and Nicklas Backstrom have also been major contributors with 33 and 40 points respectively. In goal, Ilya Samsonov has been solid with a 2.98 GAA and a .893 save percentage.
The Detroit Red Wings have relied on veteran forward Bobby Ryan this season, who leads the team in goals with 13. Filip Hronek has also been a key player for the Red Wings, tallying 24 points from the blue line. In net, Jonathan Bernier has been the go-to goalie for the Red Wings with a 2.99 GAA and a .914 save percentage.
Recent Performance
The Capitals have been one of the top teams in the NHL this season, and their recent performance reflects that. They have won seven of their last ten games and are coming off a huge 4-0 win against the New York Islanders. The Capitals will be looking to continue their winning ways against the struggling Red Wings.
The Red Wings have had a tough season, currently sitting near the bottom of the standings. They have lost four of their last five games, including a 7-4 loss to the Dallas Stars in their last outing. The Red Wings will need to put up a strong fight if they want to pull off an upset against the powerhouse Capitals.
Winnipeg Jets vs. Nashville Predators
Current Standings and Stats
The Winnipeg Jets (27-16-3) are in third place in the North Division, while the Nashville Predators (22-18-1) are in fifth place in the Central Division. The Jets have won six of their last ten games and are currently on a three-game winning streak. The Predators have also won six of their last ten games but are coming off a 4-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.
| Team | Wins | Losses | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winnipeg Jets | 27 | 16 | 57 |
| Nashville Predators | 22 | 18 | 45 |
Key Players to Watch
The Winnipeg Jets have a talented roster, led by Mark Scheifele, who has 56 points on the season. Captain Blake Wheeler has also been a major contributor, tallying 44 points. In goal, Connor Hellebuyck has been impressive with a 2.59 GAA and a .915 save percentage.
For the Nashville Predators, Filip Forsberg has been a standout player this season, leading the team in goals with 11. Defenseman Roman Josi has also been a key player for the Predators with 24 points. In net, Juuse Saros has been solid with a 2.41 GAA and a .919 save percentage.
Recent Performance
The Jets have been playing some of their best hockey as of late, winning six of their last ten games, including their last three games in a row. They are coming off a dominant 4-1 win against the Montreal Canadiens and will be looking to continue their winning ways against the Predators.
The Predators have also been playing well, winning six of their last ten games. However, they are coming off a close 4-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks and will need to regroup quickly if they want to beat the surging Jets.
Conclusion
With just a few games left in the regular season, these matchups on April 9th are crucial for each team’s playoff hopes. Whether you’re a fan of the teams or looking to get in on some sports betting action, these games are sure to be filled with exciting plays and intense competition.
Based on our analysis of the current standings, key players, and recent performance, our expert picks for these matchups are as follows:
- Toronto Maple Leafs over New Jersey Devils
- Washington Capitals over Detroit Red Wings
- Winnipeg Jets over Nashville Predators
However, anything can happen in hockey, and we could see some surprises on the ice come April 9th. So, make sure to tune in and catch all the action as these teams battle it out for their spot in the postseason.
