The Pittsburgh Penguins (23-15-7) meet the New Jersey Devils (29-12-4) Sunday at Prudential Center in Newark. Puck drop is scheduled for 2 p.m. (NHL Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Penguins vs. Devils odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Penguins have grabbed at least 1 point in each of the last 3 games, going 2-0-1 with at least 4 goals scored in each of the outings. Overall, Pittsburgh has won 5 of the last 7 games, with a slight 4-3 lean to the Under in that span.
The Devils revved things back up on the recently completed 5-game road trip, going 4-0-1. It has picked up points in 6 consecutive outings, and the Over has cashed in each of the previous 7 contests.
This is the 2nd game of 4 scheduled regular-season meetings, with the Devils winning in Pittsburgh on Dec. 30 in the 1st outing 2-1 as the Under comfortably hit.
Penguins at Devils odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub Lines last updated at 12:01 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Penguins +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | Devils -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Penguins +1.5 (-210) | Devils -1.5 (+155)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Penguins at Devils projected goalies
Tristan Jarry (16-5-4, 2.68 GAA, .921 SV%, 1 SO) vs Vitek Vanecek (18-5-2, 2.37 GAA, .914 SV%, 2 SO)
Jarry, a.k.a. “Jar Jar Wins”, allowed just 1 goal on 45 shots in a spectacular effort against the Ottawa Senators on Friday. That was his 1st game back after missing 2 1/2 weeks with a lower-body injury suffered at the Winter Classic in Boston.
Vanecek has won 6 consecutive starts, allowing 3 or fewer goals in each of his last 9 outings. He faced the Pens in Pittsburgh on Dec. 30, allowing 2 goals on 27 shots in the 2-1 win.
Vanecek is a perfect in January, going 5-0-0 with a 2.35 GAA and .925 SV% in his 5 appearances.
Penguins at Devils picks and predictions
Prediction
Devils 3, Penguins 2
Moneyline
The DEVILS (-140) are worth a roll of the dice, as New Jersey has been playing really well again after a rough end to December.
The Penguins (+120) have dropped 6 of the last 7 road outings, while going just 4-9 in the last 13 games overall. They’re also a dismal 7-19 in the last 26 tries against teams with a winning overall record.
The Penguins +1.5 (-210) will cost you 2 times your potential return if you would like a little insurance and can’t just play Pittsburgh straight up. It’s not a good wager, and you should AVOID that.
UNDER 6.5 (-115) is easily the best play on the board in this Metropolitan Division battle.
The Under is 7-1-2 in the last 10 games for the Pens inside the Metro, while going 5-2-3 in the last 10 road games, and 6-2-2 in the previous 10 against teams with a winning overall record.
While the Over has been the rule for Devils lately, the Under is 3-1-3 in the previous 7 encounters with the Pens, including the 1st meeting in Pittsburgh.
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