The New Jersey Devils (17-28-5) travel to meet the Pittsburgh Penguins (31-13-8) Thursday at PPG Paints Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we look at the Devils vs. Penguins odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
The Devils have fallen back onto hard times with two straight losses. On the bright side, Jersey will get D Dougie Hamilton (jaw) back Thursday after being out since Jan. 2. They have been off since Feb. 15 so they’ll be well-rested for this one.
Pittsburgh is coming off of losses to the Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes. The latter hurt in particular as they’re now four points back from the division-leading ‘Canes in the Metropolitan Division.
Devils at Penguins odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:51 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Devils +250 (bet $100 to win $250) | Penguins -320 (bet $320 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Devils +1.5 (+100) | Penguins -1.5 (-125)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -105 | U: -120)
Devils at Penguins projected goalies
Mackenzie Blackwood (9-9-3, 3.29 GAA, .894 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Tristan Jarry (25-10-6, 2.29 GAA, .922 SV%, 3 SO)
Blackwood is expected to make his return after being sidelined since Jan. 19 with a heel injury. He was 1-3-0 with a 3.31 GAA and an .893 SV% against Pittsburgh last season.
Jarry was great against the Devils Feb. 13 as he stopped 28 of 30 shots in a 4-2 victory. He has given up 4 goals in two straight games, albeit against better offenses than the Devils.
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Devils at Penguins odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Penguins 3, Devils 1
Money line
The Penguins (-320) are far too expensive to break bread with here. PASS and look to the spread.
Against the spread
The PENGUINS -1.5 (-125) is pretty unforgiving on the payout, but it’s the preferred side.
Three of Pittsburgh’s last four wins have been by at least 2 goals. Depending on how frisky you’re feeling the ALTERNATE SPREAD PENGUINS -2.5 (+135) will offer a decent payout if you want to test it against a goalie that hasn’t played in over a month.
Over/Under
The UNDER 6.5 (-120) is the better side here. The last game between these sides ended at 4-2, and Pittsburgh hasn’t been banging down the doors on offense. The Penguins have averaged just 2.8 goals per game over their last 10 games as they have had peaks and valleys. If you throw out the two outlier games where the Devils scored seven goals each, they averaged just 1.8 goals in eight games.
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