Chicago Blackhawks vs. New Jersey Devils Prediction, NHL Odds
-
Edgar Chaput
Other than a fine rookie season for Connor Bedard, the Blackhawks are experiencing another patience-testing campaign. They head into Jersey as losers of four straight, including Thursday night across the Hudson against the Rangers, 4-1. As for the hosts, they return home after a successful trip to Washington where they bested the Capitals 6-3.
The Devils are pinned as incredibly strong favourites for this one at -450 on the NHL odds’ moneyline. The Blackhawks are +340 for those who like risky business.
Blackhawks vs. Devils NHL Betting Odds
It’s been nearly two years since the Blackhawks have gotten the better of the Devils. A spectacular 8-5 win at home in February 2022 was the shining moment. Since then New Jersey has rattled three wins on the run and has won five of the past six. All three of the most recent victories were by more than a goal.
Considering that the Chicago Blackhawks are an 11-25-2 club, it seems obvious that whatever wagers betters should put on them would concern spreads, the over-under, and individual player performances, most notably Bedard. The puckline is a bit tricky. Chicago is only 17-21. Oftentimes when they lose, they lose big time (-56 goal differential, 2nd-worst in the NHL). Bedard, the rookie phenom, leads the team in points with 33 (15 goals, 18 assists). He has only one point in four games, so he could be due.
The Devils got off to a rocky start but have mostly righted the ship since late November. That said, their decent 20-14-2 straight-up tally has not translated to any success against the puckline. At 10-26 ATS, it’s best to stay away from New Jersey. The issue isn’t scoring as they possess the sixth-best attack in the league (3.53 goals a game), but rather defence and goaltending. They’re fifth worst in both categories.
Chicago Blackhawks
Another night, another defeat for the Chicago Blackhawks. Thursday’s contest in New York against the Rangers typified the sort of season Chicago is having when things go bad.
The first goal of the game said it all. In the first period, Connor Bedard handled the puck around the New York blueline but was shoved aside. The Rangers broke out on an odd-man rush with Alexis Lafreniere serving up a one-timer for Artemi Panarin (24th). Superstar tossed aside like a ragged doll, opponent breaks out and scores. 1-0. To be fair, the Hawks didn’t go down as easily as they could have. If anything, New York’s second goal was somewhat controversial and the Blackhawks cut the deficit to 2-1 through a beautiful goal by Colin Blackwell (first). But the Rangers would prove too much, and goalie Petr Mrazek’s weak effort on the third goal set the tone for the final period. Chicago loses 4-1.
New Jersey Devils
After getting flattened by the Bruins in Boston last weekend, the Devils headed to the nation’s capital to tussle with the Capitals on Wednesday.
New Jersey didn’t dilly-dally either. Three minutes into the contest Nico Hischier (ninth) pounced on a juicy rebound that Washington’s goalie probably should never have given in the first place. Hischier would get his brace (10th) on the power play before the period was half over. In a neat statistical twist. The Devils scored six times, with three different players netting twice. Dawson Mercer got his 11th in the second and 12th in the third. Michael McLeod scored his eighth and ninth of the campaign. The first, the game-winner, was a show-stopping effort by backhanding a shot while sprawled on the ice.
Despite allowing the Capitals to level the terms from 3-1 down, the Devils proved to be the vastly superior outfit on this night, winning 6-3.