New Jersey Devils vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction, NHL Odds
Both teams are looking to bounce back tonight after tough losses on the road.
The Devils have been on fire since flipping the calendar to 2023 and have not missed a step without their superstar Jack Hughes.
New Jersey will be the -123 favourite to win on the NHL odds and the total sits at 6.5. Puck drop from Pittsburgh is scheduled for 5:30 PM EST.
Devils vs. Penguins NHL Betting Odds
These two metropolitan Division teams will be facing each other for the third time this season on Saturday evening. Dougie Hamilton has helped the Devils beat the Pens twice so far, posting two goals and two assists including the overtime winner in their most recent meeting.
Both of their matchups this season have played the Under, making it seven of their past eight to go that way.
New Jersey’s last outing resulted in a push, snapping a trend of three straight games to the Under. Usually viewed as the favourite, New Jersey is no joke through 54 games. They boast a 29-25 record against the spread, but have only covered three times in their past 10 games.
The Penguins have covered in back-to-back games now and three times in their past four outings, bumping their record to 24-30 on the year. Oddly Pittsburgh and Jersey both hold the exact same record at 23-27-4 on the total. They hit the Over last night on a generous 5.5 total but before that they were on a 6-3 run to the Under.
New Jersey Devils
Dawson Mercer and Erik Haula were the only two to find the score sheet Thursday night in St. Louis, as the Devils fell 4-2 to the Blues. MacKenzie Blackwood got the start in net allowing all four goals on 35 shots. The 26-year-old has struggled this season, winning back-to-back starts only once and posting a .899 save percentage with a 3.12 goals against average.
The loss was only their third regulation loss since flipping the calendar to 2023, posting a 12-3-3 record. Starting goalie Vitek Vanacek has been a big part of their success posting a 11-0-1 record since December 30th.
With their superstar Jack Hughes on the shelf, the Devils defensive game has really stepped up. In their last four games they have only given up 2.65 goals per game.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Rickard Rakell’s two goal night was not enough as the Penguins allowed the Islanders to come from behind, scoring three consecutive goals and stealing the win last night falling 5-4 in Long Island. Sidney Crosby scored the opening goal and added an assist to bring his total to a team leading 67 points on the year. Typically the backup goalie, Casey DeSmith has appeared in each of the Penguins five games since the All-Star break because of Tristan Jarry’s injury. DeSmith had one of his worst games of the season, allowing five goals on just 28 shots.
Tristan Jarry’s status is still uncertain, despite travelling with the team on their most recent road trip. The 27-year-old has not played since January 22nd and there is no timetable for his return.
Pittsburgh will need all hands on deck in order to make the playoffs this season. The team is currently sitting in a wildcard spot in the NHL’s tightest division.
