Two clubs squaring off for the second time this season, the Detroit Red Wings and the New Jersey Devils clash at the Prudential Center for an Eastern Conference tilt. The matchup will get going at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, December 27, and fans at home can catch the game live on Fox Sports Detroit.
Detroit Red Wings vs. New Jersey Devils Odds
Detroit (+150) is entering this one as the underdog to New Jersey (-170) and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-110 for the over, -110 for the under).
The Devils are 21-14 straight up (SU) and have earned moneyline bettors 11.0 units this season. That winning percentage, ranked fourth in the league so far in this young season, is a huge turnaround from how the team performed during the 2016-17 season (28-54). Among its 35 games this season, 19 have gone over the total, while 15 have gone under and just one has pushed. The teams 11-7 SU at home this year.
New Jersey’s converted on 21.3 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s good enough for 10th-best in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated fourth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 83.7 percent of all penalties.
New Jersey, as a collective unit, has been penalized 4.1 times per game overall this season, 3.8 per game over its last five outings total, and 4.0 per game over its last five home outings. The team has had to stave off opposition power plays for 12.4 minutes per game over its last five home outings.
Averaging 29.6 saves per game with a .922 save percentage, Cory Schneider (17-10-4) has been the best goalkeeper for the Devils this year. If head coach John Hynes decides to give him a breather, however, the team may roll with Keith Kinkaid (5-5-5 record, .893 save percentage, 3.49 goals against average).
Taylor Hall and Will Butcher will each spearhead the attack for the Devils. Hall (34 points) has put up 12 goals and 22 assists and has recorded multiple points on nine separate occasions this year. Butcher has two goals and 21 assists to his name and has recorded a point in 16 games.
On the other bench, Detroit is 13-22 straight up (SU) and has lost 8.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 35 regular season contests, 18 of its games have gone over the total, while 17 have gone under and none have pushed. Detroit’s 7-10 SU as the visiting team this season.
Detroit has converted on 22.2 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 19th overall and it’s successfully killed off 80.3 percent of all opponent power plays.
Detroit’s players have been penalized 4.1 times per game this season, and 2.4 per game over their last five on the road. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays just 7.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jimmy Howard (25.3 saves per game) has been the primary option in the net for Detroit. Howard owns a 10-19-6 record, and has registered a .907 save percentage and 2.85 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Red Wings, the offense will be coordinated by Dylan Larkin (five goals, 24 assists) and Henrik Zetterberg (five goals, 19 assists).
Detroit Red Wings vs. New Jersey Devils Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Devils, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- The total has gone over in three of New Jersey’s last five outings.
- The Red Wings are 3-8 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 7-16 in games where they serve fewer than 10 penalty minutes, in total.
- New Jersey is 3-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while Detroit is 2-1 in shootouts.
- New Jersey has created 11.0 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 8.3 takeaways per game (ranked 8th in the league).
- Detroit skaters have managed 8.2 takeaways per game over its last five road games, an improvement over its season average of 6.5 takeaways per game (ranked 21st in the NHL).
- New Jersey might have an advantage if it’s a close one late. The teams 11-6 in games decided by one goal, while Detroit is just 3-11 in such games.
