The New Jersey Devils (23-11-3) meet the Detroit Red Wings (16-12-7) Wednesday at Little Caesars Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. (TNT). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Devils vs. Red Wings odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Devils were edged 5-4 in a shootout Sunday at home against the red-hot Carolina Hurricanes. Since Dec. 9, New Jersey has managed a dismal 2-7-2 mark in 11 games, although it has won each of the last 2 on the road (in Florida and Pittsburgh).
The Red Wings doubled up the Ottawa Senators last time out by a 4-2 score on New Year’s Eve, and the narrow Under results snapped a 5-0 Over run. After going 0-4-2 in 6 games from Dec. 8-19, Detroit is 3-1 in the last 4 outings.
Devils at Red Wings odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub Lines last updated at 10:35 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Devils -170 (bet $170 to win $100) | Red Wings +145 (bet $100 to win $145)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Devils -1.5 (+150) | Red Wings +1.5 (-200)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Devils at Red Wings projected goalies
Vitek Vanecek (13-5-2, 2.38 GAA, .911 SV%, 2 SO) vs Ville Husso (12-6-5, 2.86 GAA, .908 SV%, 3 SO)
Vanecek allowed 2 goals on 27 shots in a 4-2 win on the road against the Pittsburgh Penguins last time out on Dec. 30, wrapping up December with a 2-3-2 record, 2.86 GAA and .885 SV% with a shutout in 8 starts.
Husso coughed up 4 goals on just 12 shots in an ugly showing Wednesday, with that most recent start also coming at Pittsburgh. He has yielded 4 or more goals in 4 straight starts, and he is a dismal 3-3-2 with a 3.33 GAA and .901 SV% in 9 starts in December.
Devils at Red Wings picks and predictions
Prediction
Red Wings 4, Devils 3
Moneyline
The RED WINGS (+145) are a solid value as moderate underdogs at home.
New Jersey has picked up just 2 wins in the last 11 games, while cashing in just 2 of the last 10 outings against Eastern Conference foes. It is also just 9-19 in the previous 28 tries against Atlantic Division opponents.
For the Red Wings, they’re 9-4 in the last 13 games against Metropolitan Division teams, while going 4-1 in the last 5 meetings with New Jersey, and 14-6 in the past 20 battles at LCA.
Puck line/Against the spread
The Red Wings +1.5 (-200) will cost you 2 times your potential return, and that’s a little too much risk if you want some insurance.
AVOID.
Over/Under
OVER 6.5 (-110) is the lean in this Hump Day matchup.
While the Under is 6-2-1 in the last 9 games for the Devils, the Over is 5-1 in the last 6 games for the Red Wings, while going 5-1 in the last 6 games against Eastern Conference foes.
The Over is 6-2-1 in the previous 9 meetings in Detroit, while going 4-1 in the last 5 battles in this series.
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