The Prudential Center is the site for a Metro Division matchup as the Pittsburgh Penguins come into town to face the New Jersey Devils. The action gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 3, and fans at home can view it live on MSG Plus 2.
Pittsburgh Penguins at New Jersey Devils Odds
Pittsburgh is 29-24 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.1 units for moneyline bettors this year. 26 of its games have gone over the total, while 24 have gone under and just two have pushed. The Pens are 10-16 SU on the road in 2017-18.
Pittsburgh comes into the match up with the first-best power-play unit in the NHL, as it’s found the net on 27.7 percent of its extra-man chances this season. Its penalty kill is ranked ninth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.5 percent of all penalties.
For the team as a whole, the Pens have been whistled for penalties 4.2 times per game this season, 4.6 per game over its past five contests total, and 4.2 per game over its last five on the road. The team’s had to kill penalties 9.0 minutes per game over their last five road outings.
Averaging 25.3 saves per game with a .905 save percentage, Matt Murray (19-14-1) has been the primary option in goal for Pittsburgh this season. Murray played last night, however, so the team could decide to rest him and instead go with Tristan Jarry (10-8-2 record, .919 save percentage, 2.44 goals against average).
The visiting Penguins have relied on Phil Kessel and Evgeni Malkin heavily this season. Kessel (62 points) has tallied 23 goals and 39 assists, and has recorded two or more points in 15 different games. Malkin has 28 goals and 31 assists to his credit, and has registered a point in 33 games.
On the other side of the rink, New Jersey is 26-24 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 4.3 units this season. Through 50 regular season matches, 26 of its games have gone over the total, while 23 have gone under and just one has pushed. It’s 14-11 SU at home this season.
The Devils have converted on 20.8 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that’s good enough for 10th-best in the league. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked ninth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.6 percent of all opponent power plays.
New Jersey players have been penalized 4.0 times per game in total this season, 3.6 per game over their past five outings total, and 3.8 per game over their last five home outings. The team’s had to kill penalties just 8.4 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Cory Schneider has stopped 28.9 shots per game as the top choice in goal for the Devils. Schneider has 18 wins, 17 losses, and six overtime losses to his credit and has registered a pedestrian 2.79 goals against average and a .913 save percentage this season.
Taylor Hall (18 goals, 32 assists) will lead the offensive counter for the home team.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New Jersey Devils Free Picks
NHL Prediction: SU Winner – Devils, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Trends
New Jersey is 3-4 in games decided by a shootout this season while Pittsburgh is 2-1 in shootouts.
The total has gone under in four of New Jersey’s last five games.
Pittsburgh’s attempted 34.6 shots per game overall this season (the most in the NHL), and 31.8 in its last five road games.
Eight of Pittsburgh’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 7-1 in those games.
Pittsburgh skaters have dished out the fourth-most hits in the league (24.6 per game), but that number’s down to just 20.6 hits over their last five away games.
