The New Jersey Devils (10-13-5) and Detroit Red Wings (14-13-3) meet Saturday night in the Motor City. Puck drop at Little Caesars Arena is slated for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Devils vs. Red Wings odds and lines and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
New Jersey enters this contest having lost four straight overall and five consecutive games on the road.
The Devils’ power play has been ice-cold during this spell with just 3 goals in its last 37 attempts, and overall New Jersey ranks 30th in the NHL with a 12.8% mark with the man advantage. Add to that the fact that things have gone sideways for a Devils defense yielding 4.0 goals per game over the team’s last 16 games.
The Red Wings are just 1-4 over their last five games, but Detroit is 6-1 across its last seven games on home ice. The Wings have also struggled with their power play (16.3%), but they have gotten big efforts between the pipes, especially over their recent games at home.
Devils at Red Wings odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:34 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Devils +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Red Wings -130 (bet $130 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Devils +1.5 (-250) | Red Wings -1.5 (+180)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -150 | U: +120)
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Devils at Red Wings projected goalies
Mackenzie Blackwood (5-6-3, 3.14 GAA, .901 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Thomas Greiss (5-6-0, 3.67 GAA, .889 SV%)
Blackwood is 1-5-1 with an .876 SV% since Nov. 30 and has a 4.74 GAA and .869 SV% through seven road games this season.
Greiss has struggled over a recent small sample (.789 SV% last 132 minutes), but the veteran has allowed 2 goals or fewer in four of five home starts.
Devils at Red Wings odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Red Wings 4, Devils 2
Money line
The public looks to be dialed in on this one. In other words, betting on both sides has leveled the prices just about where they should be, in line with true probabilities.
With Detroit at home and New Jersey struggling on the road — and with some fade-Blackwood lean/play-Detroit goalies lean based on short-handed numbers — DETROIT (-130) gets the nod. However, it’s a small lean.
Against the spread
The better price for the risk is on DETROIT -1.5 (+180). The price is competitive in the market, and the game has an Over lean. New Jersey has coughed up 23 goals over its last four road tilts.
Over/Under
The lean on this one is toward the Over 5.5. But STEER CLEAR of the steep pricing here.
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