These teams meet for the final time this season, after a 2-1 win for Vancouver in December.

There is a decreased level of drama in this game after the Canucks traded Quinn Hughes, as this would have been another battle between the three Hughes brothers. Without Luke Hughes due to injury, Jack Hughes and his team have plenty of work to do, and our Devils vs. Canucks preview and prediction will help uncover how it may play out.

Devils vs. Canucks NHL Betting Odds

Both teams have struggled mightily on the puck line, with New Jersey at 19-31 and Vancouver at 22-28. As the favourites, the Devils are -1.5 (+165), while Vancouver is +1.5 (-200). 

The game total results bring a mixed bag, as New Jersey is 19-30-1 to the over, while Vancouver is 26-20-3. However, my eyes are on the over 5.5 (-135), as Vancouver’s games have provided at least six goals in three straight, while the matchup itself presents a great opportunity for a capable Devils offence to reignite.

Jack Hughes (+150) comes into this one with the shortest goal-scoring odds, with Timo Meier (+190) next on the list for New Jersey. Elias Pettersson (+175) and Brock Boeser (+200) have the shortest odds for Vancouver. Boeser is starting to find his game after a 21-game goalless drought, as he has 2 goals and 1 assist in his last 4 games.

New Jersey Devils

The New Jersey Devils (26-22-2) are in a challenging spot overall based on their expectations, but they are taking the right steps. New Jersey enters on a two-game winning streak, having won four of their last five. They remain fifth in the Metropolitan Division, so this is a key chance for them to earn an all-important two points. 

Out of the lineup will be young defender Luke Hughes, as well as depth forwards Stefan Noesen and Zack MacEwan. There are no excuses, as most key players remain in the lineup, and on paper, they greatly outmatch this Canucks team – which has proven to be willing to sell their assets. New Jersey takes on a Vancouver team that gives up the most goals per game in the NHL (3.64) and the worst penalty kill (71.3%). If they can continue their recent consistency, they should have no issues here.

Vancouver Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks (17-28-5) are in the midst of a very rough season, but they have accepted their fate and have begun selling assets. Superstar and captain Quinn Hughes was traded well over a month ago, followed by Kiefer Sherwood less than a week ago. This lessens an already very weak roster, but I don’t expect them to be finished.

Vancouver is the only team in the NHL that has not surpassed 40 points in the standings, and I don’t see them surpassing it in this contest. Home-ice advantage won’t play a factor, as they welcome a deeper team with more skill, solid coaching and much higher expectations from inside and outside the locker room.

NHL Prediction: Who Will Win Devils vs. Canucks?

Each team is desperately searching for answers, but with New Jersey still in the hunt for the playoffs, they will have more than enough gas in the tank to pull off a win. They have shown multiple flashes of resurgence, winning four of their last five, but there is no room for the train to stop. I expect this well-balanced group to understand the great opportunity in front of them, which will carry them to a 4-2 victory.

DEVILS

Away

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CANUCKS

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