The United Center will play host to an enticing matchup as the New Jersey Devils come into town to face the Chicago Blackhawks. It’s the final time that these two clubs will go at it in the regular season. This East-West matchup gets started at 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 14, and it’s being shown live on WGN Channel 9.
New Jersey Devils at Chicago Blackhawks Odds
Chicago (-155) is being chosen as the favorite over New Jersey (+135). If you want to put some action on the matchup’s Over/Under (O/U) total, you’ll be looking at -115 for over 7 goals and +-105 for under under..
Losing 4.9 units for moneyline gamblers, the Blackhawks are 23-34 straight up (SU) overall this year. That early-season winning percentage hasn’t moved much from the 33-49 record the team posted during last year’s regular season campaign. Through 57 regular season matches, 36 of its games have gone over the total, while 18 have gone under and just three have pushed. The team is 12-16 SU at home this year.
Chicago has converted on 21.0 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 32nd overall, and it’s successfully killed off 73.4 percent of all penalties.
As a team, Chicago has been called for penalties just 3.4 times per game overall this season, and 4.4 per game over its past five outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties for just 8.4 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, overall.
Averaging 29.8 saves per game with a .895 save percentage, Cam Ward (11-13-4) has been the primary option in goal for the Blackhawks this year. If head coach Jeremy Colliton decides to give him a rest, however, the team might turn to Corey Crawford (6-17-17 record, .902 save percentage, 3.28 goals against average).
Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews will both lead the offensive attack for the Blackhawks. Kane (82 points) has tallied 33 goals and 49 assists and has recorded two or more points on 22 different occasions this year. Toews has 25 goals and 31 assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in 38 contests.
On the other bench, New Jersey is 21-35 straight up (SU) and has lost 14.2 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 56 regular season outings, 30 of its games have gone over the total, while 24 have gone under the total and just two have pushed. New Jersey’s 7-21 SU as an away team this season.
New Jersey has converted on 18.7 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked fourth overall and it’s successfully killed off 84.1 percent of all penalties.
New Jersey’s skaters have been called for penalties 3.9 times per game this season, and 4.8 per game over their past five games. The team has had to defend opponent power plays 8.8 minutes per game over their last five road outings.
Keith Kinkaid (.894 save percentage and 3.28 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for New Jersey. Kinkaid is averaging 26.2 saves per game and has 15 wins, 24 losses, and six OT losses to his credit.
Leading the offensive counter for the visiting Devils will be Kyle Palmieri (24 goals, 18 assists) and Nico Hischier (16 goals, 24 assists).
New Jersey Devils vs. Chicago Blackhawks Free Picks
Prediction: SU Winner – Devils, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- For both of these teams, the over has hit in each of their past five outings.
- New Jersey has managed 25.8 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Chicago is averaging 32.4 shots per game over its last five at home.
- Power-play opportunities could prove to be critical in the outcome of this matchup. The Devils are 9-11 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 10-25 when they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Blackhawks are 7-14 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 16-25 when they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
- New Jersey is 1-3 in games decided by a shootout this season while Chicago is 1-1 in shootouts.
- Chicago has created 8.0 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 7.3 takeaways per game (ranked 18th in the league).
- New Jersey has managed 4.2 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 7.8 takeaways per game (ranked 15th in the NHL).
