New Jersey Devils (25-15-4) vs Tampa Bay Lightning (22-15-2)
Game Info: Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 7:00 pm (Prudential Center)
The Line: Betting Odds: New Jersey Devils -148 / Tampa Bay Lightning +125 — Over/Under: 6
In this article, we will formulate a Tampa Bay Lightning vs New Jersey Devils prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, January 11th at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Tampa Bay Lighting Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Lightning are 22-15-2 this year after they defeated Boston by a score of 4-1 in their last game. Tampa Bay had their lead cut to 2-1 in the third period, but they scored the last two goals in the game for the win. The Lightning outshot Boston by a total of 31-28, won 44.3% of the face-offs, and went 1-4 on the power play in the game. Tampa Bay got goals from Cirelli, Eyssimont, Hagel, and Point, while Vasilevskiy stopped 27 out of 28 shots in the win.
Prior to that victory, the Lightning defeated the Hurricanes by a score of 3-2 but did lose to the Ducks by a score of 4-1 before that. Tampa Bay has lost four of their last six games and they are currently third in the Atlantic standings with 46 points. Tampa Bay has scored 3.69 goals per game and they have allowed 2.74 goals against per game, while also going 26.5% on the power play and 82.7% on the penalty kill this season. Nikita Kucherov has led Tampa Bay with 17 goals, 41 assists, and 128 shots on goal, while Brayden Point added 25 goals, 22 assists, and 84 shots on goal. Andrei Vasilevskiy is 18-12-1 with a 2.36 goals against average and a .916 save percentage this year.
New Jersey Devils Betting Preview
The New Jersey Devils are 25-15-4 this season after they lost to the Rangers in overtime by a score of 3-2 in their last game. New Jersey led 2-1 in the second period, but they allowed the Rangers to tie the game and ended up losing in overtime. The Devils were outshot by a total of 32-23, won 36.2% of the face-offs, and went 0-4 on the power play in the game. New Jersey got goals from Bratt and Hughes, while Markstrom stopped 29 out of 32 shots in the game.
Prior to that loss, the Devils defeated the Kraken by a score of 3-2 but did lose to the Sharks by a score of 3-2 before that. New Jersey has lost five of their last six games and they are currently second in the Metro standings with 54 points. New Jersey has scored 3.16 goals per game and they have allowed 2.55 goals against per game, while also going 28% on the power play and 82.1% on the penalty kill this season. Jack Hughes has led New Jersey with 16 goals, 34 assists, and 163 shots on goal, while Jesper Bratt has added 15 goals, 34 assists, and 99 shots on goal. Jacob Markstrom is 20-8-3 with a 2.20 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage this year.
Why the Lightning will beat the Devils
- The Lightning have won each of their last five games as underdogs against the Devils.
- The Devils have lost three of their last four games as home favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in seven of the last eight games between the Lightning and Devils.
- The Devils have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last five games as favorites.
Total Goals Facts
- Seven of the Devils’ last eight home games have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Each of the Lightning’s last five games has gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3’ market has hit in 21 of the Lightning’s last 22 games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Devils’ last eight home games against the Lightning.
New Jersey Devils Player Prop Facts
- Jesper Bratt has recorded at least one point in each of the Devils’ last 12 Saturday night home games.
- Dawson Mercer has scored a goal in three of the Devils’ last four home games.
- Jesper Bratt has recorded at least one assist in each of the Devils’ last 10 home games against Eastern Conference opponents.
Tampa Bay Lightning Player Prop Facts
- Nikita Kucherov has recorded at least one point in each of his last 14 appearances with the Lightning as underdogs against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Brayden Point has scored at least one goal in 10 of his last 11 appearances against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Nikita Kucherov has recorded at least one assist in eight of his last nine appearances with the Lightning as underdogs against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs New Jersey Devils Prediction
New Jersey comes into this matchup struggling over the last two weeks, but they will be back at home here. The Devils are 12-6-3 at home this year, while the Lightning are 9-9-1 on the road. Tampa Bay has won two games in a row and they are scoring 3.69 goals per game this season. New Jersey continues to be a great defensive team, but they have scored two goals or fewer in four of their last five games. I don’t love going against the Devils at home, but their offense is struggling and I think the Lightning can escape with a win.