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The New Jersey Devils (20-10-3) and St. Louis Blues (15-14-3) tussle in a Tuesday night affair near the shores of the Mississippi River. The opening face-off at the Enterprise Center will be at 8 p.m. (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Devils vs. Blues odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: Blues lead 1-0
New Jersey last played Saturday, closing out a 5-game home stand with a 4-1 conquest as big -370 favorites over the Chicago Blackhawks. The Devils, who rank sixth in the league in goals against (2.61 per game), allowed just 17 shots on goal Saturday and have yielded only 48 shots on target over their last 3 games.
St. Louis played Sunday, earning a 3-2 triumph over the New York Rangers to snap a two-game losing streak (0-1-1). The Blues cashed as +113 home underdogs and the Under (6) came in. The Blues had been 1-5-1 over their previous games at the Enterprise Center.
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Devils at Blues odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NHL odds. Lines last updated at 3:41 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Devils -185 (bet $185 to win $100) | Blues +150 (bet $100 to win $150)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Devils -1.5 (+135) | Blues +1.5 (-165)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Devils at Blues projected goalies
Jacob Markstrom (15-6-2, 2.35 GAA, .908 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Jordan Binnington (8-11-3, 2.93 GAA, .899 SV%, 1 SO)
Markstrom stopped 16 of 17 pucks in Saturday’s win over the Blackhawks. He owns a sparkling .934 SV% over 5 games this month.
Binnington was solid in his last start, which was Saturday at the Dallas Starts (35 saves). The 31-year-old had been shaky over his two previous efforts, clocking an .846 SV% across games on Dec. 7 and Dec. 12.
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Devils at Blues picks and predictions
Prediction
Devils 4, Blues 3
Moneyline
New Jersey is 13-5-1 since Nov. 4 and figures to be out for retribution after a lackluster 3-0 loss to the Blues in Newark Nov. 27.
As mentioned above, the Blues have had their issues of late at home, and recently they’ve had difficulties getting shots on frame (21.3 shots per game over the club’s last 4 games). In this one, St. Louis takes to the ice with a rest disadvantage — and the Devils are 3-1-0 when playing on 2 days’ rest.
If Markstrom gets the call, he gives New Jersey a talent edge in goal. The 34-year-old has done well to avoid off nights and ranks a solid 19th in Hockey-Reference’s goals saved above average.
The 5-on-5 expected-goal analytics favor the Devils having more scoring punch in the tank. Lately, they’ve been hurt by some likely-unlucky shooting percentages, but they have been getting more scoring chances and more of the high-danger variety. Plus, in special teams, the Devils are light years the better club in this matchup — despite an 0-for-13 stretch on the power play since Dec. 6.
BET DEVILS (-185).
Puck line/Against the spread
The Devils have played 4 straight 1-goal games. The best value on a New Jersey play is on the ML.
Over/Under
The Blues have shown some decent early scoring punch of late. Season and recent-trend expected-goals calculations point to the Blues scoring more and allowing a bit more as well and for the Devils to have some more punch on offense.
BACK OVER 5.5 (-115).
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