New Jersey Devils vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction 2/26/2026 Today’s NHL Picks

The New Jersey Devils and Pittsburgh Penguins meet Thursday in NHL action at the PPG Paints Arena. Here’s a New Jersey Devils vs. Pittsburgh Penguins prediction. This article will include a New Jersey Devils vs. Pittsburgh Penguins pick.

New Jersey Devils Betting Preview

The New Jersey Devils lost to the Islanders and Sabres, and they play the Blues next. The Devils have won 6 of their last 7 games.

The New Jersey Devils are averaging 2.48 goals per game and are scoring 20.5 percent of their power play opportunities. Nico Hischier leads New Jersey with 19 goals, Jesper Bratt has 29 assists and Timo Meier has 182 shots on goal. Defensively, the New Jersey Devils are allowing 3.05 goals per game and are killing 79.5 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Jacob Markstrom has allowed 91 goals on 774 shots faced, while Jake Allen has given up 75 goals on 797 shots.

Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Sabres and lost to the Islanders, and they play the Rangers next. The Penguins have won 7 of their last 9 games.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are averaging 3.41 goals per game and are scoring 25.9 percent of their power play opportunities. Sidney Crosby leads Pittsburgh with 27 goals, Erik Karlsson has 31 assists, and Bryan Rust has 126 shots on goal. Defensively, the Pittsburgh Penguins are allowing 2.89 goals per game and are killing 84 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Arturs Silovs has allowed 74 goals on 701 shots faced, while Tristan Jarry has given up 36 goals on 396 shots.

Why the Pittsburgh Penguins will win

• The Devils have lost each of their last eight night games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The Penguins have won eight of their last nine night games at PPG Paints Arena against opponents on a losing streak.
• The Devils have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last eight games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The Penguins have covered the puck line in eight of their last nine night games at PPG Paints Arena against opponents on a losing streak.
• The Devils have lost the third period in each of their last five games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.

Why the New Jersey Devils will win

• The Devils have won four of their last five games as an underdog when playing with a rest disadvantage.
• The Penguins have lost 10 of their last 17 games as favorites against opponents on losing streaks.
• The Devils have covered the puck line in nine of their last 10 games as road underdogs.
• The Penguins have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight games as home favorites following a road win.
• The Penguins have lost the second period in each of their last four home games against Eastern Conference opponents when trailing after the first period.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Devils’ last six night games against Eastern Conference opponents has gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Fourteen of the Penguins’ last 16 home games against Metropolitan Division opponents have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Each of the last three games between two teams from the Metropolitan Division has gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Penguins’ last seven games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Devils’ last seven games against Eastern Conference opponents.

Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts

• Sidney Crosby has scored at least one goal in six of the Penguins’ last seven home games against opponents who are playing on the second leg of a back-to-back.
• Sidney Crosby has recorded an assist in each of the Penguins’ last seven games as home favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
• Ryan Shea has recorded at least four shots in each of his last zero appearances—the [longest/equal-longest] active streak in the league.

New Jersey Devils Player Prop Facts

• Nico Hischier has scored at least one goal in four of his last five appearances at PPG Paints Arena.
• Jack Hughes has recorded at least one assist in each of his last eight Thursday night road appearances.
• Brett Pesce has recorded at least four shots in each of his last zero appearances—the [longest/equal-longest] active streak in the league.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Pittsburgh Penguins rank 5th in the league for goals per game this season (3.41).
• The Pittsburgh Penguins are one of five teams to rank in the top 10 for both goals scored and goals conceded per game this season.
• The New Jersey Devils are the only team to win 8+ games when trailing after Period 1 this season.
• The New Jersey Devils have suffered the largest margin of defeat in the NHL this season (9 goals @ Islanders on January 6).

New Jersey Devils vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction

The Devils have a game under their belt to get the rust off, but I’m not sure that matters. The Devils have lost 4 straight games and have scored 1 or fewer goals in all of those games. No thank you. The Penguins entered the break on fire with wins in 7 of their last 9 games. Who knows if that will continue with Crosby sidelined for the next month. Still, it’s hard to get behind the Devils and their struggles. At home, give me the Penguins.

Randy Chambers's Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins