Apr 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) looks on against the Florida Panthers during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Alberti-Imagn Images
Mark Alberti-Imagn Images

Penguins vs Devils Prediction 4/9/2026 Today’s NHL Picks

Pick details

MATCHUP Pittsburgh Penguins New Jersey Devils
Team Records 40-22-16 40-35-3
Spread -1.5 225 +1.5 -278
Moneyline -112 -108
Total Over 6.5 (-110) Under 6.5 (-110)
Where Prudential Center, Newark, NJ
When Thursday, April 9, 2026
Time 07:00 PM EDT
TV ESPN+

In this article we will formulate a Penguins vs Devils prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, April 9th at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Penguins are 40-22-16 this season after they defeated the Panthers by a score of 5-2 in their last game. Pittsburgh led 3-1 after the first period and they added one in the second and one in the third for the lopsided win. The Penguins were out shot by a total of 31-23, won 42.0% of the face-offs, and went 1-7 on the power play in the game. Pittsburgh got goals from Crosby, Rakell (2), Rust, and Soderblom, while Silovs stopped 29 out of 31 shots, which was a .935 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Pittsburgh defeated the Panthers again by a score of 9-4, but lost to the Lightning by a score of 6-3 before that. The Penguins have won four of their last five games and they are currently second in the Metro standings with 96 points. Pittsburgh has scored 3.55 goals per game and they have allowed 3.08 goals against per game, while also going 24.7% on the power play and 81.7% on the penalty kill this season. Sidney Crosby has led Pittsburgh with 29 goals and 43 assists, while Anthony Mantha has added 31 goals and 30 assists. The projected starting goalie for Pittsburgh is Stuart Skinner, who is 11-8-5 with a 2.99 goals against average and an .886 save percentage this season. 

New Jersey Devils Betting Preview

The New Jersey Devils are 40-35-3 this year after they lost to the Flyers by a score of 5-1 in their last game. New Jersey cut the deficit to 2-1 in the first period, but they couldn’t find anymore offense in the loss. The Devils out shot Philadelphia by a total of 24-20, won 42.6% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. New Jersey got their lone goal from Glass, while Markstrom stopped 15 out of 19 shots, which was a .789 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, New Jersey defeated the Canadiens by a score of 3-0, but also lost to the Canadiens by a score of 4-3 before that. The Devils have alternated wins and losses over their last eight games and they are currently seventh in the Metro standings with 83 points. New Jersey has scored 2.76 goals per game and they have allowed 3.05 goals against per game, while also going 22.1% on the power play and 79.2% on the penalty kill this season. Jesper Bratt has led NJ with 20 goals and 48 assists, while Nico Hischier has added 26 goals and 36 assists. The projected starting goalie for New Jersey is Jacob Markstrom, who is 23-19-1 with a 3.07 goals against average and an .883 save percentage this season. 

Why the New Jersey Devils will win

  • The Penguins have lost seven of their last eight games as road favorites following a home win.
  • The Devils have won three of their last four games as underdogs against the Penguins.
  • The Penguins have failed to cover the puck line in nine of their last 10 games as road favorites following a home win.
  • The home team has covered the puck line in each of the Penguins’ last four games.
  • The Penguins have lost the first period in each of their last four games at Prudential Center following a home win.

Why the Pittsburgh Penguins will win

  • The Devils have lost each of their last seven games as underdogs against Metropolitan Division opponents.
  • The Penguins have won five of their last six games when playing with a rest advantage.
  • The Penguins have covered the puck line in seven of their last eight games against the Devils.
  • The Devils have failed to cover the puck line in 10 of their last 11 night games at Prudential Center following a home loss.
  • The Penguins have won the first period in each of their last four games following a win.

Total Goals Facts

  • Twelve of the Penguins’ last 13 night games have gone OVER the total goals line.
  • Each of the Devils’ last five games as underdogs following a home loss have gone UNDER the total goals line.
  • The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Penguins’ last four games.
  • The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Devils’ last 13 Thursday night games at Prudential Center.

New Jersey Devils Player Prop Facts

  • Timo Meier has scored a goal in each of the Devils’ last three games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
  • Jack Hughes has recorded at least one assist in each of his last seven Thursday appearances against Metropolitan Division opponents.

Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts

  • Sidney Crosby has recorded at least one assist in each of his last seven appearances with the Penguins as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
  • Rickard Rakell has scored at least one goal in seven of the Penguins’ last eight games.

Penguins vs Devils Prediction 

Pittsburgh rolls into this matchup after winning four of their last five games and they have scored 5+ goals in all four of those wins. The Penguins are 20-10-8 on the road this year, while the Devils are 20-16-3 at home. New Jersey has alternated wins and losses over their last eight games and they are due for a win if that trend continues. The Devils have been super inconsistent all season, but they have been solid after a loss recently. Take New Jersey to win here.

David Racey's Pick: Devils ML

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