New Jersey Devils (9-13-4) vs Pittsburgh Penguins (18-10-1)
Game Info: Thursday, March 18, 2021 at 7:00 pm (Prudential Center)
Betting Odds: New Jersey Devils +170 / Pittsburgh Penguins -208 --- Over/Under: 6.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: MSG+, ATTSN-PT Stream live sports and exclusive originals on ESPN+. Sign up now!
The Pittsburgh Penguins and New Jersey Devils meet Thursday in NHL action at the Prudential Center.
The Pittsburgh Penguins look for a win after winning eight of their last 11 games. The Pittsburgh Penguins are averaging 3.2 goals per game and are scoring on 18.8 percent of their power play opportunities. Sidney Crosby leads Pittsburgh with 11 goals, Evgeni Malkin has 16 assists and Bryan Rust has 94 shots on goal. Defensively, the Pittsburgh Penguins are allowing 2.9 goals per game and are killing 75 percent of their opponents power plays. Tristan Jarry has allowed 56 goals on 597 shots and Casey DeSmith has allowed 22 goals on 259 shots.
The New Jersey Devils need a win after losing 12 of their last 15 games. The New Jersey Devils are averaging 2.5 goals per game and are scoring on 12.5 percent of their power play opportunities. Miles Wood leads New Jersey with eight goals, Ty Smith has 11 assists and Jack Hughes has 59 shots on goal. Defensively, the New Jersey Devils are allowing 3.2 goals per game and are killing 70.5 percent of their opponents power plays. Mackenzie Blackwood has allowed 43 goals on 428 shots faced and Scott Wedgewood has allowed 21 goals on 245 shots.
The Penguins are 5-2 in their last 7 road games and 6-1 in their last 7 overall. The Devils are 19-39 in their last 58 home games and 2-9 in their last 11 overall. The under is 3-1-2 in Penguins last 6 overall. The under is 11-4 in Devils last 15 home games. The road team is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings. The over is 6-2-1 in the last 9 meetings in New Jersey and 5-2-2 in the last 9 meetings.
The Pittsburgh Penguins continue to pile up the victories and they've been money all season long in the favorite role. The New Jersey Devils can't get out of their own way and playing at home hasn't helped much. These are two teams heading in completely different directions. I'll take my chances with the Penguins and the PL, as backing the Devils isn't an option in their current form.
Randy’s Pick Pittsburgh Penguins -1.5
AUTHOR: Randy Chambers
Follow Randy Chambers on Twitter @WizardOf0dds