New Jersey Devils vs
Pittsburgh PenguinsPredictions & Preview

New Jersey Devils to Face Pittsburgh Penguins in Crucial Metropolitan Division Matchup

The New Jersey Devils (29-19-6, 64 points, 3rd Metro) will face off against the Pittsburgh Penguins (22-24-8, 52 points, 7th Metro) in a Metropolitan division matchup. New Jersey is coming off a loss to the Buffalo Sabers, while Pittsburgh has won their last two games. New Jersey currently holds the 3rd spot in the division, while Pittsburgh is 14th in the Eastern Conference. Both teams will be missing key players for the game. According to betting odds, New Jersey is the favorite to win with a -152 opening line that has not moved. Fans can expect an exciting game as both teams look to secure a victory.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Devils -152 | Penguins +135
• Spread: Devils -1.5 (+160) | Penguins +1.5 (-192)
• Total: Over/Under 6 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that New Jersey will win straight-up is 60%.

New Jersey vs Pittsburgh Stats

New Jersey Devils

New Jersey has been performing well in several key areas this season. Their goals-for average of 3.1 and goals-against average of 2.5 rank them 12th and 5th, respectively. They average 29.6 shots per game while allowing 25.9 shots against, ranking 9th and 4th in the league. The Devils have a strong power play, converting 27.9% of the time, and an effective penalty kill, preventing opponents from scoring 83.1% of the time. While leading goal scorer Nico Hischier is out of the lineup, Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt have stepped up, with Hughes leading in goals and points and Bratt leading in assists. The team has a total of nine players with 20 points or more. Despite playing without their top goalie, New Jersey holds a record of 29-19-6 this season, earning them a power ranking of 11. Their offensive and defensive rankings are 12th and 4th, respectively.

Pittsburgh Penguins Analysis

The Pittsburgh Penguins have been struggling defensively this season, with a goals-against average that ranks them last in the league. However, their power play has been strong, scoring 25.5% of the time with the man advantage. Despite their defensive challenges, the Penguins have several key players making significant contributions, including Rikard Rakell, Bryan Rust, and Sidney Crosby. Moving forward, the team will need to focus on tightening up their defense to improve their overall performance. Their recent matchups against New Jersey resulted in a 1-2-0 record.

Pittsburgh Penguins Achieve Defensive Success While New Jersey Devils Struggle

The Pittsburgh Penguins currently hold the lowest goals-against average in hockey at 3.5. However, the team has managed to secure victories in their last two games, allowing just two goals in one match and achieving a 3-0 shutout against Nashville on Saturday. Alex Nedeljkovic, the Penguins' goalie, has notably reduced his goals-against average to 3.02. He played a crucial role in Pittsburgh's recent success by conceding only two goals in the last two games. On the other hand, the New Jersey Devils have faced challenges in their performance, with a 4-4-2 record in the last 10 games and a 5-11 record in the last 16. The absence of their top goalie, Jacob Markstrom, and leading goal scorer, Nico Hischier, has further impacted their gameplay.

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