The New Jersey Devils (36-25-6) visit the Pittsburgh Penguins (27-31-10) Saturday afternoon
The Devils have won nine of the last 10 head-to-head matchups against Pittsburgh
Read below for Devils vs Penguins prediction, odds and prop pick for Saturday’s game on ABC/ESPN+
The New Jersey Devils (36-25-6, 19-14-2 road) try to make it four straight wins while remaining perfect in their season series with the host Pittsburgh Penguins (27-31-10, 16-13-5 home).
Action gets underway from PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh at 3pm ET, with ABC/ESPN+ providing broadcast coverage.
The Devils, who currently hold down third in the Metropolitan, and are just four points back of the Hurricanes, have -150 moneyline road favorites for this one. Can the Penguins, tied for the second-fewest points in the East, derail the Devils?
Here is our Devils vs Penguins prediction for this Saturday matchup.
Devils vs Penguins Prediction
The Devils are coming off a 3-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers last game, giving them three straight wins for the first time since mid-December. That broke a lengthy rut, where Jersey had just four wins in the previous 11.
Defense continues to be the Devils’ calling card to success: they rank second in the NHL with a minuscule 2.52 GAA, trailing only the Winnipeg Jets. They also give up little shorthanded with an 82.9% penalty kill rate, which ranks third in the NHL.
That’s been enough to bring along a so-so offense, which ranks 14th in goals, at 2.99 per contest.
Getting to three goals is usually enough for success. Over the last 10 games, the Devils are 5-1-0 when they score at least three goals, and are just 0-4-0 when they don’t hit that mark.
They’ve done it both times against the Penguins, a big reason why they’ve won the first two of a four-game regular season series. Jersey dumped Pittsburgh 3-2 SO on Feb 4, and blanked them 3-0 on Dec. 21.
Pittsburgh is on its own little fun run, reeling off three straight wins, their best-sustained success since ripping off four in a row in late November.
The Penguins beat the St Louis Blues 5-3 last time out, their second straight home win to kick off a 5-game homestand.
Pittsburgh’s biggest problem has been keeping the puck out of its own net, as their 3.56 GAA ranks second-to-last in the NHL, trailing only the San Jose Sharks,
Their offense hasn’t been able to outscore those problems most nights, ranking just 20th in goals per game at 2.85 per contest.
That’s been amplified a ton against the Devils. Save for a 6-3 Penguins win, New Jersey has won nine out of the last 10 meetings, and held the Penguins to two goals or less in all of their wins.
Only twice has the deficit not been at least two goals. Even though Pittsburgh’s playing better, Jersey has plenty still to play for, and should handle business as they usually do in this matchup.
Devils vs Penguins Pick:
Devils ML (-150 at Bet365)
BET365
SPORTSBOOKOffer
T&Cs
Bet $10 & Get $200 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose!
Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 of greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL OR TEXT 1-800-GAMBLER (AZ/CO/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA/MD/MO/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). 21+ only (18+ KY).