The New Jersey Devils (39-15-5) kick off a 3-game Western Conference road trip against the Colorado Avalanche (34-19-5) Wednesday at Ball Arena in Denver. Puck drop is scheduled for 9 p.m. (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Devils vs. Avalanche odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Devils dusted the Philadelphia Flyers by a 7-0 count Saturday, winning for the 4th time in the past 5 games. New Jersey is averaging 4.4 goals per game (GPG) during the 5-game span, and it might be able to get even better.
New Jersey added 30-plus goal scorer RW Timo Meier from the San Jose Sharks prior to the NHL trade deadline. He is still being evaluated by the team’s medical staff after nursing a minor upper-body injury in his final days in San Jose, so he is unlikely to make his team debut in this one.
The Avalanche are playing their best hockey of the season, winning 6 consecutive games, while averaging 4.1 GPG across the past 8 outings.
These teams met in Newark on Oct. 28, with the Devils getting a 1-0 shutout courtesy of G Vitek Vanecek.
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Devils at Avalanche odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:53 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Devils +110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Avalanche -130 (bet $130 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Devils +1.5 (-250) | Avalanche -1.5 (+180)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +110 | U: -130)
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Devils at Avalanche projected goalies
Vitek Vanecek (25-6-3, 2.37 GAA, .913 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Alexandar Georgiev (26-12-4, 2.57 GAA, .922 SV%, 3 SO)
Vanecek bounced back from a 5-2 setback at home on Feb. 21 against the Montreal Canadiens by turning aside 19 of 22 shots he faced against the Los Angeles Kings in a 4-3 OT win on Thursday.
Vanecek posted his 1st shutout of the season on Oct. 28 against the Avalanche in the 1st meeting, stopping all 24 of the shots he faced.
Georgiev has rattled off 5 consecutive victories, including a 31-save shutout against the Vegas Golden Knights Monday. He has been on fire lately, conceding just 2 goals on 87 shots across his past 3 outings.
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Devils at Avalanche picks and predictions
Prediction
Avalanche 3, Devils 2
Moneyline
The AVALANCHE (-130) are a solid play on home ice, especially since Meier isn’t expected to suit up for the Devils just yet.
Colorado has been on another plane lately, and Georgiev has been standing on his head. The last time these teams faced each other, goals were at a premium, with the home side winning. Look for the Avs to keep that trend up.
Puck line/Against the spread
The Devils +1.5 (-250) will cost you 2 1/2 times your potential return if you require insurance in what should be a close game. That’s too expensive, though. If you like the Devs, just play them straight up for a better value.
PASS.
Over/Under
The UNDER 6.5 (-130) is a strong play with the way Vanecek and Georgiev have been posting low numbers lately. We saw just a lone goal in the first meeting, too.
The Under is 3-1-1 in the past 5 games on the road for the Devils, while going 3-0-1 in the past 4 against Central Division clubs.
It’s all about the Under lately for the Avs too, going 16-6-1 in the past 23 when playing on a day of rest and cashing in 5 straight against Metropolitan Division opponents. The Under is also 13-3-2 in the past 18 meetings between these teams in Denver, too.
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