The third marquee matchup of Friday’s four-game slate is a Metropolitan Division tilt between the third-place Pittsburgh Penguins and the second-place New Jersey Devils.
With a regulation win, Pittsburgh would jump New Jersey into that second-place slot. Will the Penguins take care of business on home ice?
Read our NHL picks and predictions for Devils vs. Penguins below to find out.
Devils vs Penguins best odds
Devils vs Penguins picks and predictions
The month of December has not been kind to the New Jersey Devils, who are just 1-7-1 over their last nine games. That being said, this slide should not last too much longer for what is one of the best two-way teams in hockey.
At 5-on-5, New Jersey ranks first in the league in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) and second in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60). There are those who doubt this team and perhaps say they have “peaked too early”.
While that is an understandable thought, the Devils are built for long-term success. The forward group is immensely deep with superstar talent at the top with Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt, while the back end boasts the best stalworth duo in the NHL in Jonas Siegenthaler and Dougie Hamilton.
Under head coach Lindy Ruff, New Jersey plays a 200-foot game that can translate well in both the early run-and-gun parts of the season and the later “grind” parts of the campaign. As an underdog, now is the time to buy low on a Devils team that is better than their opponent on Friday.
No disrespect to the Pittsburgh Penguins, who are an incredible team in their own right. At 5-on-5, Pittsburgh ranks third in the league in xGF/60 and 12th in xGA/60.
However, both of those rankings still fall short of New Jersey’s. It's only a slight edge for Pittsburgh in the crease as Tristan Jarry is slated to start for the Pens while Vitek Vanecek is projected to get the nod for New Jersey.
A huge divisional matchup should kick things back into gear for one of the league’s best teams in the Devils, especially after their recent slide.
My best bet: Devils moneyline (+100 at DraftKings)
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Devils vs Penguins moneyline analysis
Because of their recent slide, Friday is going to be one of those rare times when you can get the Devils at plus money. However, this team’s underlying metrics remain unchanged as things have not gone their way this month.
Things will eventually turn around for a team with few holes in its game, and this matchup could be the start. Pittsburgh’s blue line is dealing with numerous injuries as Jeff Petry is on IR, while Kris Letang and Chad Ruhwedel are questionable.
Having a depleted blue line against a team as offensively gifted as the Devils is obviously problematic. For those who enjoy a bit more risk, taking New Jersey’s reverse puck line of -1.5 at large odds is not the worst play to make.
The winning team has covered the puck line in eight of the last 10 meetings between these two clubs. Meanwhile, seven of New Jersey’s last eight wins were by two or more goals.
Devils vs Penguins Over/Under analysis
The Devils are a tough team to take totals on because they are elite both offensively and defensively. Their Siegenthaler-Hamilton pairing makes opposing forwards’ lives miserable on the back end while practically anyone can score from the forward group.
In this contest, I would lean towards the Over as both Vanecek and Jarry are outperforming their underlying metrics. At 5-on-5, both netminders rank in the bottom third among starting goaltenders in goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (GSAx/60).
Regression could catch up to them, especially considering the offensive firepower in this game, but with both blue lines also capable of making life easier on the goaltenders, the total is relatively tough to gauge for this game.
Devils vs Penguins betting trend to know
The Devils have won 12 of their last 14 road games. Find more NHL betting trends for Devils vs Penguins.
Devils vs Penguins game info
| Location: | PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA |
| Date: | Friday, December 30, 2022 |
| Puck drop: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Sportsnet |
