The New Jersey Devils were one of the best teams vs. the NHL sportsbook odds next season and they could be again in 2010-2011 as they have re-signed Ilya Kovalchuk. The Devils are thrilled to have the two-time 52 goal scorer and they signed him to a seven-year $60 million dollar deal. With his signing, the Devils should be a force again next season vs. NHL odds at the sports book.
Sportsbook odds on New Jersey had them favored a lot last season. What might be forgotten is that the Devils won the Atlantic Division title last season. They were even better than the Pittsburgh Penguins in the regular season. Kovalchuk was with the team for only a short time as he was added in early February in a trade from Atlanta.
New Jersey was a major force last season at home as they went 27-10-2-2. The Devils were solid on the road as well, going 21-17-0-3. They were a team that went under the total at the sportsbook a great deal of the time. 45 of their 82 games went under with six ties. Zach Parise led the team in points with 82 and his numbers should go up even further next year with Kovalchuk playing with the team the full year. New Jersey can definitely use Kovalchuk for a full season as they were just 19th in the league in goals scored. They were 11th on the power play and those numbers could improve with Kovalchuk full ingrained into the system.
New Jersey still has future Hall of Fame goaltender Martin Brodeur who led the league with 45 wins last season. New Jersey was the best team in the NHL last season in goals against, giving up just 2.3 per game. Sportsbook NHL stats indicated that they were second in the league in shots against. One area of concern was penalty killing as they were only 13th in the NHL.
New Jersey was a disappointment in the playoffs last season as they lost to the Philadelphia Flyers but there is no question the Devils have the talent to do well next season vs. the NHL odds at the sports book. The signing of Kovalchuk was of major importance as he gives them a true scoring threat along with Parise upfront.