New Jersey Devils vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction, NHL Odds
Missing two of their star players, the Devils have dropped three straight games coming in to face the Penguins. It is looking like one missing link could return for Thursday’s game, as the team tries to climb out of fifth place in the division.
Puck drop from PPG Paints Arena is set for 7 PM EST. Check out our NHL odds for Thursday’s Moneyline, Puckline and Over/Under.
Devils vs. Penguins NHL Betting Odds
This will be the first of three meetings this season between the Devils and Penguins, who will not meet again until March 19th. New Jersey dominated the four-game set last year, outscoring Pittsburgh 16-6 and sweeping the season series. They were listed as the favourite in each game helping them to a 3-1 record against the spread.
The Devils scoring has dropped off significantly since Jack Hughes went down with an injury five games ago. Since then they have only been putting in 2.6 goals per game and played the UNDER 3-2. They are typically listed as the favourite and their current slump has them covering the spread just once in the past five. New Jersey has a horrendous 3-11 record against the spread and without their one-two punch at centre, it does not look to turn itself around.
Their current five-game heater has helped them boost their record on the puckline to 8-6 this season, after covering in each game of their current streak. Their defence has been very solid throughout this run, allowing no more than three goals in any game including two shutout wins.
New Jersey Devils
After a scoreless first period versus the Winnipeg Jets, it looked as though the Devils might have a chance to bust their current slump. The game would open up big time at the mid-way point, with each team trading back-to-back goals before the end of the second. New Jersey was then outscored 4-1 in the final 22 minutes of the game to take a 6-3 loss on home ice.
Timo Meier (5) and Dawson Mercer (3) each scored on the powerplay and John Marino (1) scored his first of the season. In the absence of Jack Hughes, no forward has been able to step up and fill his shoes. Defenceman John Marino has been their highest scorer over the past five games with five points (1G 4A).
Nico Hischier has been placed on the IR and there is still no timetable for his return, but Hughes is travelling with the team on their current road trip and could return Thursday night.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Hockey fans got a glimpse of vintage Sidney Crosby on Tuesday night when the 36-year-old scored a hattrick as a part of a four-point night as the Penguins routed the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-3. Erik Karlsson (5) and Jake Guentzel (6) also scored in the game, helping the Pens to an NHL-high five-game win streak.
Crosby’s 16th career hat trick brought him to 19 points through 14 games good for 17th in the league and setting him on pace for 111 points this season. At this rate, If he keeps it up it will be his best season since 2006-07.
In the first season of his newly signed five-year contract extension, Tristan Jarry is performing as one of the best goalies in the NHL. He has started 11 of the Pens’ 15 games, leading the league with three shutouts paired with an impressive .918 save percentage and a 2.34 goals-against average.
