Edmonton Oilers vs. New Jersey Devils Prediction, NHL Odds
The Oilers opened their year-ending six-game road trip with a 3-1 loss on Long Island on Tuesday to fall to 4-9-0 on the road so far this season. The Devils are coming off a 3-2 loss to Philadelphia on Tuesday to remain winless through the first two games of their five-game homestand.
The Devils have emerged as slender -115 home favourites on the Thursday NHL odds, while the Oilers closely trail as a -105 bet. And with both these teams struggling to score, -115 odds now favour the total going UNDER 7.0.
Oilers vs. Devils NHL Betting Odds
The Oilers skated to a 4-1 victory when the Devils visited Edmonton on December 10, but have struggled in recent dates in New Jersey, where they have lost three of four while surrendering 4.75 goals per game. The road has been particularly unkind to the Oilers this season. Opposing shooters have filled the net, scoring at least five times in six of the team’s 13 games to date. The Oilers have also struggled badly while losing five of six away contests versus Eastern Conference opponents.
Winners in eight of their previous 10, the Devils offence has tapered off during their current two-game swoon, scoring just two goals at even strength over that strength, and two or fewer goals per game in five of their past seven overall, powering a 6-1 run for the UNDER in totals betting. Despite those struggles, the Devils are still ranked seventh in the league in scoring, with the New Jersey lineup featuring two of the NHL’s top producers this season in Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt.
Edmonton Oilers
Calvin Pickard will make his fourth start of the season when he takes the crease on Thursday night. Pickard was rocked for all five goals last time out while taking the decision in Saturday’s 5-1 loss to Florida after allowing just two total goals over his previous two appearances. But while the Oilers’ goaltending situation remains a point of concern, the club’s netminders have received little support from an attack that has produced just three total even-strength goals during their current 0-3-0 run. Power outages have been come commonplace this season for the Oilers, who averaged just 2.58 goals per game during a horrific 2-9-1 start, and allowed five or more goals in nine of their 16 defeats. On a positive note, Leon Draisaitl’s goal in Tuesday’s loss to the Islanders snapped a two-game scoring drought, while extending his current points streak on the road to five games.
New Jersey Devils
The Devils have fallen out of the Eastern Conference playoff picture during their current two-game slide, and enter Thursday’s action sporting a disappointing 6-7-2 home record. However, the Devils have managed to keep things close, earning at least a point in nine of 12 contests. Jesper Bratt has remained one of the bright lights on offence. With his goal in Tuesday’s OT loss to Philadelphia, Bratt has now piled up five goals and 12 points in nine games this month. Nico Hischier has also rebounded well from an upper body injury that sidelined him for almost a month earlier this season. Hischier maintained his recent point per game pace with an assist on Tuesday, and has produced four multi-point performances in 12 games since his return to the lineup.