In their last head-to-head matchup of the regular season, the New Jersey Devils and the Nashville Predators collide at Bridgestone Arena for an East-West tilt. The puck drops at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 10, and it can be caught live on MSG Network.
New Jersey Devils vs. Nashville Predators Odds
Nashville heads into the game as the substantial favorite with a moneyline of -200. The line for New Jersey sits at +170 and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -115 money on the over and -105 on the under.
Nashville is 44-23 straight up (SU) and has earned 15.1 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, ranked second in the NHL so far in the early season, is a solid improvement compared to what the team managed during last year’s regular season (41-41). Among the team’s 67 games this season, 34 have gone over the total, while 32 have gone under and just one has pushed. This year, the team’s 24-10 SU at home.
The Predators have been able to convert on 22.1 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s good enough for fifth-best in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 11th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 82.0 percent of all penalties.
The Predators, as a collective unit, have been whistled for penalties 4.5 times per game overall this season, and 3.8 per game over their past five games. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays for 9.0 minutes per game over their last five home outings.
Averaging 29.2 saves per game with a .928 save percentage, Pekka Rinne (37 wins, 13 losses, and four OT losses) has been the primary option in goal for Nashville this season. If the Preds, however, choose to rest him, the team might roll with Juuse Saros (7-11-11 record, .924 save percentage, 2.42 goals against average).
Viktor Arvidsson and P.K. Subban will each spearhead the attack for the Predators. Arvidsson (51 points) is up to 25 goals and 26 assists and has recorded two or more points on 14 different occasions this year. Subban has 15 goals and 35 assists to his name and has notched at least one point in 37 contests.
On the other bench, New Jersey is 34-34 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 4.5 units this season. Through 68 regular season outings, 33 of its games have gone over the total, while another 33 have gone under and just two have pushed. The Devils are 16-17 SU as an away team this season.
The Devils have converted on 20.9 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 10th overall and it’s successfully killed off 82.6 percent of all opponent power plays.
New Jersey’s skaters have been penalized 3.8 times per game in total this season, and 2.4 per game over their last ten outings. The team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 5.1 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Cory Schneider (.912 save percentage and 2.81 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for New Jersey. Schneider is averaging 28.5 saves per game and has 18 wins, 20 losses, and six OT losses to his credit.
Taylor Hall (30 goals, 44 assists) will lead the attack for the visiting Devils.
New Jersey Devils vs. Nashville Predators Free Picks
Free Pick: SU Winner – Devils, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Nashville is 5-5 in games decided by a shootout this season while New Jersey is 4-4 in shootouts.
The total has gone over in three of Nashville’s last five outings.
New Jersey has managed 28.8 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Nashville is averaging 37.6 shots per game over its last five home outings.
Nashville has averaged 3.3 goals per game overall this year, but is averaging 4.3 per match up over its 10-game winning streak.
Over Nashville’s last ten outings, six of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 6-0 in those games).
*****
