NHL
Sports Interaction Staff
October 27, 2017

Ottawa Senators vs. New Jersey Devils: NHL Odds, Prediction

The Atlantic Division is chock full of high-scoring teams – and the Ottawa Senators have made their way onto that list as they seek their second win in as many nights Friday against the host New Jersey Devils. Ottawa has racked up 37 goals in its first 10 games, and that offensive prowess was on full display Thursday in a thrilling 5-4 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. New Jersey is coming off a six-day break after opening with wins in six of their first eight games.

Ottawa Senators vs. New Jersey Devils

Moneyline: Devils -140
Date: Friday, October 27, 7 p.m. ET
Location: Prudential Center, Newark, N.J.

NHL Odds and Betting Analysis

Oddsmakers like the Devils in this one – and it’s no wonder, with a full week between games and a date with a visiting Ottawa team that played a back-and-forth contest a night earlier. Other trends support the Devils in this one; they’ve won each of their previous four games against Atlantic Division opponents, and they’re 5-1 straight-up in their last six contests versus Eastern Conference foes. Ottawa is just 2-5 in its last seven games against the Metropolitan Division.

Both teams have been surprisingly strong over plays on the season, given that experts were bearish about their offensive prospects. The Senators have played over the total in six of 10 games so far, while the Devils have been even more prolific, going 5-2-1 against the total. Ottawa has gone 3-1-1 versus the total in its previous five games road games, while New Jersey has six overs and two pushes in its last eight games on three or more days’ rest.

New Jersey Devils

Nico Hischier didn’t get the same fanfare as the two No. 1 picks before him – Edmonton’s Connor McDavid and Toronto’s Auston Matthews – but the Swiss rookie is off to a great start with seven points in eight games. The Devils are a perfect 4-0 in games in which Hischier registers at least one point, going over in three of those contests. New Jersey owns the eighth-ranked power play (22.9 percent) but is just 22nd on the penalty kill (78.6).

Ottawa Senators

Despite Ottawa’s terrific offensive performance so far, it has taken just five games for defenceman Erik Karlsson to seize the team lead in assists. The two-time Norris Trophy winner has eight helpers despite playing only half of the Senators’ games to date; his two helpers aided in Ottawa’s wild win over Philadelphia. The Senators have also been strong on defence, ranking sixth in goals against (2.5 per game) while boasting the top penalty-killing unit (92.6 percent).