| MATCHUP | New Jersey Devils | Pittsburgh Penguins |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 22-20-2 | 21-12-9 |
| Where | PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA | |
| When | Thursday, January 8, 2026 | |
| Time | 07:00 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
In this article we will formulate a Devils vs Penguins prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, January 8th at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
New Jersey Devils Betting Preview
The New Jersey Devils are 22-19-2 this season after they lost to the Islanders by a score of 9-0 in their last game. New Jersey allowed three goals in the first period, two in the second, and four in the third in the blowout loss. The Devils out shot New York by a total of 44-24, won 54.5% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. New Jersey was led by Meier and Hamilton, who both had seven shots on goal, while Markstrom stopped 15 out of 24 shots, which was a .625 save percentage.
Prior to that game, New Jersey lost to the Hurricanes by a score of 3-1, but did beat the Mammoth by a score of 4-1 before that. The Devils have lost six of their last eight games and they are currently sixth in the Metro standings with 46 points. New Jersey has scored 2.58 goals per game and they have allowed 3.09 goals against per game, while also going 20.2% on the power play and 77.5% on the penalty kill this season. Jesper Bratt has led New Jersey with nine goals and 24 assists, while Nico Hischier has added 12 goals and 20 assists. The projected starting goalie for New Jersey is Jake Allen, who is 11-9-1 with a 2.55 goals against average and a .913 save percentage this season.
Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Penguins are 20-12-9 this year after they defeated Columbus in overtime by a score of 5-4 in their last game. Pittsburgh trailed 4-1 in the second period, but they tied the game with 14 seconds left, before winning in overtime. The Penguins out shot Columbus by a total of 43-25, won 53.1% of the face-offs, and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. Pittsburgh got goals from Acciari, Crosby, Koivunen, Novak, and Rakell, while Silovs stopped 21 out of 25 shots, which was an .840 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Pittsburgh defeated the Red Wings in back to back games by scores of 4-1 and 4-3. The Penguins have won five games in a row and they are currently fifth in the Metro standings with 49 points. Pittsburgh has scored 3.27 goals per game and they have allowed 3.07 goals against per game, while also going 29.7% on the power play and 81.5% on the penalty kill this season. Sidney Crosby has led Pittsburgh with 24 goals and 23 assists, while Bryan Rust has added 16 goals and 20 assists. The projected starting goalie for Pittsburgh is Stuart Skinner, who is 2-3-0 with a 2.88 goals against average and an .874 save percentage with the Penguins this year.
Why the Pittsburgh Penguins will win
- The Devils have lost seven of their last eight games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Penguins have won each of their last four games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Devils have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Penguins have covered the puck line in each of their last five night games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Penguins have won the first period in each of their last four night games.
Total Goals Facts
- Eight of the Penguins’ last nine night games against Metropolitan Division opponents at PPG Paints Arena have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Each of the Devils’ last four games as underdogs against opponents on a winning streak have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Seven of the last eight Thursday games at PPG Paints Arena have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Penguins’ last seven games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in 12 of the Devils’ last 13 games as underdogs against opponents on a winning streak.
Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts
- Bryan Rust has scored at least one goal in six of his last seven appearances with the Penguins as favorites against the Devils.
- Erik Karlsson has recorded at least one assist in each of the Penguins’ last six games at PPG Paints Arena.
New Jersey Devils Player Prop Facts
- Nico Hischier has scored at least one goal in each of his last four appearances at PPG Paints Arena.
- Jack Hughes has recorded at least one assist in each of his last seven Thursday night road appearances.
Devils vs Penguins Prediction
Pittsburgh comes into this matchup looking for their sixth win in a row and they will be at home here. The Penguins are 9-6-5 at home this year, while the Devils are 11-11-0 on the road. New Jersey has lost six of their last eight games and just lost 9-0 in their last game. The Devils have scored a total of one goal in their last three losses and they are facing one of the hottest teams in hockey. Take the Penguins here.