The Detroit Red Wings and the New Jersey Devils meet in NHL action from the Prudential Center on Saturday night. Who comes out on top heading into the Christmas break? Let’s dive in and find out with our Red Wings vs. Devils Prediction.
Detroit Red Wings Team Preview
The Detroit Red Wings come into this one looking to build on their 7-6 shootout win over Philadelphia last time out. Alex DeBrincat leads the Red Wings in scoring with 31 points including a team-high 15 goals and 16 assists while Dylan Larkin is right behind with 29 points including 12 goals and 17 assists. Lucas Raymond has 26 points with 10 goals and 16 assists and Shayne Gostisbehere has 24 points with a team-high 18 assists. Ville Husso has gone 9-5-2 in goal for Detroit this season with a 3.53 GAA and an .893 save percentage while James Reimer is 3-5-2 with a .897 save percentage and 3.16 GAA and Alex Lyon is 4-3 with a 2.14 GAA and a .932 save percentage this season. The Red Wings will meet the Wild after this one.
Detroit Red Wings Team Facts
- The Red Wings have lost 12 of their last 13 games following a shootout loss.
- The Red Wings have failed to cover the puck line in eight of their last nine games as underdogs following an overtime win.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Red Wings’ last six games following a shootout win.
- The Red Wings have lost the third period in seven of their last eight games as underdogs after coming off overtime.
New Jersey Devils Team Preview
The New Jersey Devils come into this one losers of three straight after a 6-3 loss to Edmonton last time out. Jack Hughes leads the Devils in scoring with 38 points including a team-high 14 goals and 24 assists while Jesper Bratt has 37 points with 24 assists. Tyler Toffoli has 23 points with a team-high 13 goals while Dougie Hamilton has 16 points with 11 assists and Luke Hughes has 16 points with 12 assists as well this season. Vitek Vanecek has gone 11-6-1 with a 3.35 GAA and an .883 save percentage while Akira Schmid is 5-7-1 with a 3.26 GAA and an .893 save percentage this season. The Devils will take on the Blue Jackets after this game.
New Jersey Devils Team Facts
- The Devils have lost four of their last five games as home favorites against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Devils have failed to cover the puck line in 16 of their last 17 home games against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Devils have won the third period in seven of their last eight home games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in 14 of the Devils’ last 16 games against Eastern Conference opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The New Jersey Devils rank 2nd in the league in power play percentage this season (31.25%).
- The New Jersey Devils rank 30th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.61).
- The Detroit Red Wings rank 3rd in the league for goals per game this season (3.58).
- The Detroit Red Wings rank 2nd in the league for Period 2 goals scored per game this season (1.33).
Red Wings vs. Devils Prediction
I’m backing the over here. We’ve got the Red Wings on a back-to-back after almost choking away a 5-1 first period lead on Friday, against a Devils team that’s allowed 4.6 goals per game over the course of this current three-game skid. Both have played to a ton of overs this season and I think this game is no different. Give me the over here.
