In their last head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the Chicago Blackhawks and the New Jersey Devils collide at the Prudential Center in an East-versus-West matchup. WGN Channel 9 will broadcast the game, which gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 23.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. New Jersey Devils Odds
Each side currently has an identical -110 money line in this matchup, and the oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-105 for the over, -115 for the under).
The Devils are 20-14 straight up (SU) and have earned 10.0 units for moneyline bettors this season. That winning percentage, ranked 2nd in the Metropolitan Division in this young season, is a surprising improvement over the 28-54 record from the 2016-17 season campaign. Among the teams 34 games this season, 19 have gone over the total, while 14 have gone under and just one has pushed. The teams 10-7 SU at home this year.
New Jersey’s converted on 20.6 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 sixth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 83.5 percent of all penalties.
As a team, New Jersey has been penalized 4.0 times per game overall this season, and 3.2 per game over its last five home outings. The team has been forced to defend opposition power plays for just 8.0 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, in total.
Sporting a .919 save percentage and 29.2 saves per game, Cory Schneider (16-10-4) has been the top goalkeeper for the Devils this year. If the Devils choose to rest him, however, the team could go with Keith Kinkaid (5-5-5 record, .893 save percentage, 3.49 goals against average).
The Devils will continue to lean on the offensive production from Taylor Hall and Jesper Bratt. Hall (32 points) has put up 11 goals and 21 assists and has recorded two or more points nine times this year. Bratt has 10 goals and 13 assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in 14 contests.
On the other side of the ice, Chicago is 17-17 straight up (SU) and has lost 2.9 units for moneyline bettors this year. A total of 19 of its outings have gone under the total, while 13 have gone over and just two have pushed. Chicago’s 7-10 SU as the away team this season.
Chicago has converted on just 14.2 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s ranked 29th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 13th overall and it’s successfully killed off 82.3 percent of all penalties.
Chicago’s skaters have been penalized 3.8 times per game this season, and 3.0 per game over their last ten contests. The team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 6.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Corey Crawford (28.8 saves per game) has been the main choice in the net for Chicago. Crawford owns a 16-11-2 record, and has registered a .932 save percentage and 2.18 goals against average this year.
Leading the offensive attack for the visiting Blackhawks will be Patrick Kane, who has 14 goals and 20 assists on the year.
Chicago Blackhawks at New Jersey Devils Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Devils, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- New Jersey (3-2 in shootouts this season) has more experience in games decided by shootout. Chicago fell short in its only shootout this season.
- The over has hit in four of New Jersey’s last five games.
- The Blackhawks are 5-3 when they attempt 10+ shots more than their opponent. They’ve averaged the leagues fifth-most shots on goal (34.6) and New Jersey has attempted the 24th-most (only 30.4).
- New Jersey has averaged 3.2 goals per game overall this season, but has raised that figure up to 4.7 per match up over its three-game winning streak.
