In a game featuring a couple of the leagues top penalty-kill units, the New Jersey Devils and the Boston Bruins meet at TD Garden for an Eastern Conference tilt. Sportsnet will broadcast the matchup, which gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 23.
New Jersey Devils vs. Boston Bruins Odds
Earning moneyline bettors 4.3 units, Boston is 27-18 straight up (SU) overall thus far. That winning percentage, ranked fourth in the NHL so far in the early season, is an improvement compared to how the team performed during last years regular season (44-38). Of its 45 games this season, 21 have gone under the total, while 21 have gone over and just one has pushed. The team is 15-9 SU at home this year.
The Bruins have converted on 21.1 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked sixth overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 83.6 percent of all penalties.
As a team, the Bruins have been penalized 3.9 times per game overall this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five contests home outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties for just 6.3 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, in total.
Sporting a .921 save percentage and 25.0 saves per game, Tuukka Rask (17 wins, 13 losses, and four OT losses) has been the primary goalkeeper for the Bruins this year. If head coach Bruce Cassidy decides to rest him, however, Boston might roll with Anton Khudobin (10-7-7 record, .924 save percentage, 2.38 goals against average).
Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak will both be focal points for the Bruins. Marchand (48 points) has put up 20 goals and 28 assists and has recorded multiple points in 15 different games this year. Pastrnak has 20 goals and 24 assists to his credit and has notched a point in 29 contests.
New Jersey is 24-22 straight up (SU) and has netted 5.8 units for moneyline bettors this season. Through 46 regular season contests, 25 of its games have gone over the total, while 19 have gone under and just one has pushed. As an away team, the Devils are 11-12 SU so far.
The Devils have scored on 20.8 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked sixth overall and it’s successfully defended 83.6 percent of all opponent power plays.
New Jersey’s players have been penalized 4.0 times per game this season, 3.8 per game over their last five games total, and 3.8 per game over their last five on the road. The team has been forced to kill penalties 8.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Cory Schneider (.915 save percentage and 2.75 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for New Jersey. Schneider is averaging 29.3 saves per game and has 18 wins, 16 losses, and six OT losses to his credit.
For the visiting Devils, the offense will run through Taylor Hall, who has 31 assists and 17 goals on the year.
New Jersey Devils at Boston Bruins Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Devils, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Two of Boston’s last ten games have gone to a shootout. The team is 1-1 in those games and 3-2 overall in shootouts this year.
- The total has gone under in three of Boston’s last five outings.
- Boston has allowed 2.5 goals per game overall this season, but is allowing just 1.3 per match up over its three-game win streak.
- Five of New Jersey’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 1-4 in those games.
- The Bruins this season have registered the fourth-most hits per game (24.3).
