Oilers vs. Devils NHL Odds, Prediction and Picks: Hellebuyck Faces High-Powered Edmonton
Tuesday in the NHL brings fans a few excellent matchups and this one between the Oilers and Devils, who are both in great form, is one of those.
With superstars on show for both teams, the expectation is naturally that they will put on a show but, lately, each side has flexed strong goal prevention.
Oilers vs. Devils NHL Betting Odds
The Devils are the favourite in this game by a margin potentially wider than expected against the Oilers, who have the better overall record on the season and significantly better goal differential. However, the Devils’ recent play and performances at home are driving their NHL betting odds.
The Oilers are a perfect 7-0-0 on the road this season but that solid record could be disrupted by a Devils team that is 6-2-0 at home with a +11 goal differential.
Recent success by both teams has largely been driven by goal prevention, which is driving the under 6.5 total goal odds. In their respective last five games, they have allowed two or fewer goals in seven out of those combined 10 games.
Edmonton Oilers
Among NHL ranks, the Oilers are second in goals scored per game with 4.20, seventh in goals allowed per game with 2.87, and they have the third best power play at 32.7%.
There have been a few hiccups in the last couple of weeks but this team still enters this game having won three straight as part of a current 6-1-1 run.
Edmonton has outscored opponents a combined 12-1 over their last three games, the last two of which have been on the road. They cleaned up brutal goal prevention from the start of the year, and everyone knows they have the firepower up front to still do damage. They give the Devils a tall task tonight.
New Jersey Devils
The Devils were already playing well when they acquired Connor Hellebuyck, but with him in net, New Jersey immediately took another step forward.
With one exception, this team is playing great over the last couple of weeks. They are doing so against good teams too.
In their last nine games, the Devils are 7-2-0 with a +15 goal differential. Both with and without Hellebuyck, New Jersey has allowed one or fewer goals in four out of their last five games.
Hellebuyck is the confirmed starter tonight, and would love nothing more than to reinforce recent team trends.
NHL Prediction: Who Will Win Oilers vs. Devils?
The margin here appears thinner than the line would indicate. Getting the plus-money value for the Oilers to win outright is too appealing to pass up. The same is true even against a good team like the Devils.
Ultimately, while this could be a more consistently competitive version of the Devils, they have not been horribly reliable in recent years. Whereas the Oilers have been fairly steady and consistent year in and year out.
Beyond McDavid, Draisaitl, and Bouchard, the Oilers are deeper than the Devils. Even if Hellebuyck and company can stymie Edmonton’s superstars, the reinforcements can still do damage. The Oilers look capable of bagging the win, and their odds only give them more appeal.
EDM
NJ