In their second head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the New Jersey Devils and the Pittsburgh Penguins clash at PPG Paints Arena for a Metro Division tilt. Sportsnet will broadcast the action, which gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 27.
New Jersey Devils vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Odds
Pittsburgh (-210) is currently the favorite over New Jersey (+175), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals. The odds for betting the total stand at -135 money on the over and +115 on the under.
Pittsburgh is 36-27 straight up (SU) and has netted 1.4 units for moneyline bettors this year. That win percentage, the best in the Metropolitan Division so far in the early season, isn’t too far off from to what the team managed during the 2016-17 season (50-32). Among the team’s 63 games this season, 34 have gone over the total, while 27 have gone under and just two have pushed. This year, the team’s 23-8 SU at home.
The Penguins currently have the best power-play unit in the NHL, as they’ve found the net on 27.2 percent of their extra-man opportunities this year. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated fifth overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 82.8 percent of all penalties.
As a team, the Penguins have been penalized 4.1 times per game overall this season, and 3.0 per game over their last five games home outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties for just 8.1 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, in total.
With a .909 save percentage and 25.7 saves per game, Matt Murray (25-16-2) has been the best goalkeeper for Pittsburgh this year. If Pittsburgh chooses to give him a breather, however, it may go with Tristan Jarry (11-9-9 record, .916 save percentage, 2.58 goals against average).
The Pens will continue seeking offensive production from Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel. Malkin (76 points) has produced 36 goals and 40 assists and has recorded multiple points in 18 different games this year. Kessel has 26 goals and 44 assists to his credit and has notched a point in 43 games.
Over on the other bench, New Jersey is 32-30 straight up (SU) and has netted 5.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. A total of 32 of its games have gone over the total, while 28 have gone under and just two have pushed. As a road team, the Devils are 15-15 SU.
The Devils have converted on 19.2 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 13th overall and it’s successfully killed off 82.3 percent of all opponent power plays.
New Jersey’s skaters have been penalized 3.9 times per game this season, and 5.6 per game over their last five on the road. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays just 7.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Cory Schneider (28.9 saves per game) has been the primary choice in goal for New Jersey. Schneider has 18 wins, 17 losses, and six overtime losses to his credit, and has registered a .913 save percentage and 2.79 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Devils, the offense will be facilitated by Taylor Hall, who has 40 assists and 26 goals this season.
New Jersey Devils vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Predictions
NHL Tip: SU Winner – Penguins, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- Pittsburgh is 2-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while New Jersey is 4-4 in shootouts.
- The over has hit in four of Pittsburgh’s last five games.
- New Jersey has managed 30.6 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Pittsburgh is averaging 36.6 shots per game over its last five at home.
- Four of New Jersey’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 1-3 in those games.
- The Penguins this season have handed the seventh-most hits per game (24.1).
