The Xcel Energy Center is the site for an East-West clash as the New Jersey Devils come into town to face the Minnesota Wild. The opening face-off takes place at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, November 20, and it will be shown live on Fox Sports North Plus.
New Jersey Devils vs. Minnesota Wild Odds
Minnesota (-170) is currently favored over New Jersey (+150), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-130 money on the under, +110 on the over).
New Jersey is 11-8 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 5.5 units this year. 11 of its matches have gone over the total, while eight have gone under and none have pushed. This 2017-18 Devils team is 6-4 SU on the road.
New Jersey has converted on 23.0 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. Additionally, its penalty kill is ranked 16th out of 31 teams, and it has successfully killed off 80.8 percent of its penalties.
For the team as a whole, the Devils have been penalized 4.3 times per game overall this season, and 2.2 per game over its last five on the road. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays just 6.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 30.9 saves per game with a .917 save percentage, Cory Schneider (8-6-2) has been the best option in goal for New Jersey this year. If New Jersey chooses to rest him, however, the team could roll with Keith Kinkaid (4-3-1 record, .905 save percentage, 3.08 goals against average).
Taylor Hall and Will Butcher will both spearhead the attack for the visiting Devils. Hall (20 points) has tallied six goals and 14 assists, and has recorded multiple points in five different games. Butcher has one goal and 14 assists to his credit, and has logged at least one point in nine games.
Minnesota is 9-10 straight up (SU) and has lost 2.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 19 regular season contests, nine of its games have gone over the total, while eight have gone under and just two have pushed. The teams 5-4 SU at home this season.
The Wild have converted on just 18.0 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure thats right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked ninth overall, and its successfully killed off 83.8 percent of all opponent power plays.
Minnesota players have been penalized only 3.7 times per game in total this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five home outings. The teams had to kill penalties just 6.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Devan Dubnyk has stopped 28.4 shots per game as the top option in goal for the Wild. Dubnyk has eight wins, seven losses, and one overtime loss to his name and has recorded a .922 save percentage and 2.48 goals against average this season.
Eric Staal (seven goals, 10 assists) will lead the offensive counter for Minnesota.
New Jersey Devils at Minnesota Wild Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Wild, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Devils are 7-3 SU in games where they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Wild are 4-6 SU when they serve more minutes than the opposition.
- New Jersey could hold an advantage if its a tight one late. The teams 6-3 in one-goal games, while Minnesota is 2-5 in such games.
- The under has hit in four of Minnesotas last five outings.
- Minnesota has averaged 2.8 giveaways over its last five home games, an improvement from its season average of 6.5 giveaways per game (ranked 4th in the NHL).
- New Jersey skaters have averaged 10.2 giveaways over its last five home games, a rise over its season average of 8.8 giveaways per game (the 12th-fewest in the league).
