The New Jersey Devils (26-27-12) visit the Vegas Golden Knights (36-23-8) Tuesday at T-Mobile Arena for a 10 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Devils-Golden Knights odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.
Both teams played Sunday. The Devils snapped a two-game skid with a 3-0 shutout win at the Anaheim Ducks, while the Golden Knights had an eight-game win streak snapped in a surprising 4-1 home loss to the Los Angeles Kings.
Vegas took the first regular-season matchup vs. New Jersey with a 4-3 decision on the road Dec. 3. C Jonathan Marchessault recorded a hat trick in the win, scoring all three goals in the third period.
Devils at Golden Knights: Projected starting goalies
MacKenzie Blackwood vs. Robin Lehner
Blackwood is 21-12-8 with a 2.71 goals against average, .916 save percentage and three shutouts through 44 games (40 starts). He had a six-game win streak snapped with a 2-1 overtime defeat at the Kings Saturday. He lost the Dec. 3 game vs. Vegas, allowing 4 goals on 30 shots.
Lehner, who is 17-10-5 with a 2.98 GAA and .919 SV%, will make his second start since being traded to Vegas from the Chicago Blackhawks. He beat the visiting Buffalo Sabres in his Golden Knights debut Friday, allowing just 2 goals on 34 shots in a 4-2 victory. While with the Blackhawks, he faced the Devils Dec. 23 and was removed early after giving up 3 goals on 24 shots in a 7-1 loss.
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Devils at Golden Knights: Key injuries
Devils
- D Fredrik Claesson (undisclosed) questionable
- D Will Butcher (upper body) out
Golden Knights
- RW Mark Stone (lower body) out
- RW Alex Tuch (ankle) out
Devils at Golden Knights: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 11:30 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Golden Knights 4, Sabres 1
Moneyline (ML)
PASS. The Golden Knights (-304) are huge favorites – they’re 21-11-4 at home – but the price is too chalky. Every $3.08 wagered on the Knights to win will profit only $1. Considering the Devils (+240) knocked Lehner out early in the Dec. 23 game in Chicago, the price is tempting and offers decent value, but I’m going to SKIP IT and focus on the spread and total.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (PL/ATS)
Back VEGAS (-1.5, -121) as the STRONGEST PLAY. The Golden Knights are 7-1 in their last eight home games, have covered the PL in four of their last six and lead the Pacific Division by 2 points. The Devils (+1.5, +100) are last in the Metropolitan Division, all but eliminated from playoff contention and 16-17 vs. the PL on the road. VEGAS should win by 2 goals or more.
Over/Under (O/U)
Back the UNDER 5.5 (+115). The Devils have played to 7 Unders in a row, including four games with a combined total of just 3 goals. Meanwhile, Vegas’ last three games played Under 6 goals. It’s a good value at plus-money after the line was initially set at 6.5.
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Johnny’s record since Dec. 1: 48-29-2. Strongest plays: 27-11.
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