[gambcom-standard rankid=”4141″ ]
The New Jersey Devils (36-25-6) visit the Pittsburgh Penguins (27-31-10) Saturday at PPG Paints Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Devils vs. Penguins odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: Devils lead 2-0
The Devils picked up a 3-2 win in a shootout against the Penguins Feb. 4 in their most recent meeting, also in Pittsburgh. New Jersey won as a moderate favorite (-130) with the Under (6) cashing. C Jack Hughes had both goals in regulation for the visitors.
New Jersey has picked up 3 straight victories, outscoring the opposition 11-6 in the span, with the Under going 2-1.
The Penguins have won 3 in a row, including a 5-3 victory Thursday against the St. Louis Blues behind G Tristan Jarry. He has allowed just 6 goals on 103 shots in the 3-game win streak.
Stream the NHL all season on ESPN+, with your team’s out-of-market games, exclusive games, originals and more. Get ESPN+ now!
Devils at Penguins odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:39 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Devils -145 (bet $145 to win $100) | Penguins +120 (bet $100 to win $120)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Devils -1.5 (+175) | Penguins +1.5 (-210)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)
[gambcom-standard rankid=”4132″ ]
Devils at Penguins projected goalies
Jacob Markstrom (22-12-5, 2.36 GAA, .906 SV%, 3 SO) vs. Tristan Jarry (11-8-4, 3.14 GAA, .894 SV%)
Markstrom kicked aside 17 of the 20 shots he faced in a 5-3 win over the Blue Jackets last time out on Tuesday, but he is still just 1-3-0 with a 3.76 GAA and .850 SV% in 4 starts in March.
Jarry has risen like a phoenix, making his way back from waivers and a banishment to the AHL. He is 3-0-0 with a 1.99 GAA and .942 SV% in 3 starts in March.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Devils at Penguins picks and predictions
Prediction
Penguins 3, Devils 2
Moneyline
The PENGUINS (+120) are worth a look as short ‘dogs at home, as Jarry has been red hot since his return from the minors. He has rattled off victories against playoff contenders Minnesota, St. Louis and Vegas, so it isn’t like he has picked on tomato cans.
On the flip side, while Markstrom won last time out for the Devils (-145), it’s a tough game on the road against a team suddenly playing with confidence.
Puck line/Against the spread
The Penguins +1.5 (-210) will cost you more than twice your potential return if you need some insurance and cannot back Pittsburgh straight up. It makes sense, as Pittsburgh does have a losing record.
AVOID, though, and play Pittsburgh straight up if you like it.
Over/Under
UNDER 5.5 (+100) is the lean and offers good value at even-money.
The concern earlier in the season would have been Jarry, but he has played with tremendous confidence and poise since returning from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
However, the worry is the play of Markstrom lately, as he has been very giving. Go lightly here.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”6305″ ]
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1369]