Kyle Palmieri, Taylor Hall, and the New Jersey Devils are set to face off against Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, and the Boston Bruins at TD Garden in an Eastern Conference matchup. The match gets started at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 27, and you’ll be able to catch it live on New England Sports Network.
New Jersey Devils vs. Boston Bruins Odds
The Bruins (-185) are being picked as the favorites over the Devils (+160), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals (-105 over, -115 under).
Boston is 20-17 straight-up (SU) and has lost 2.3 units for moneyline bettors thus far. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 50-32 record that the team managed during last year’s regular season campaign. 22 of its 37 games have gone under the total, while 14 have gone over and just one has pushed. The team’s 13-4 SU at home this year.
The Bruins have connected on 27.1 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 17th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 79.6 percent of all penalties.
Sporting a .930 save percentage and 28.0 saves per game, Jaroslav Halak (12 wins, nine losses, and two OT losses) has been the primary option in goal for the Bruins this year. If Boston decides to rest him, however, the team might turn to Tuukka Rask (8-10-10 record, .911 save percentage, 2.72 goals against average).
New Jersey has lost 12.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year and is currently 12-23 straight up (SU). A total of 21 of its outings have gone over the total, while 12 have gone under the total and just two have pushed. The Devils are 3-15 SU as the road team this season.
The Devils have converted on 17.7 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked sixth overall and it’s successfully defended 83.3 percent of all opponent power plays.
Keith Kinkaid (25.6 saves per game) has been the main option in the net for New Jersey. Kinkaid has 12 wins, 17 losses, and six OT losses to his credit, and has registered a .901 save percentage and 3.02 goals against average this year.
New Jersey Devils at Boston Bruins Betting Predictions
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Bruins, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Six of New Jersey’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 2-4 in those games.
- The Bruins are 6-5 SU in games where they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Devils are 5-10 SU when they spend more time in the box than the opposition.
- Boston may have an advantage if this one comes down to the wire. The team’s 8-6 in games decided by one goal, while New Jersey is 3-10 in such games.
- For both of these teams, the total has gone over in three of their last five matchups.
- New Jersey has averaged 10.0 giveaways over its last five home games, a rise over its season average of 9.1 giveaways per game (ranked 12th).
- Boston has averaged 11.8 giveaways over its last five home games, a rise over its season average of 9.7 giveaways per game (ranked 16th in the league).
- The Bruins this season have tallied the ninth-most hits in the league (23.5 per game).
