The Prudential Center will play host to an East-West clash as the New Jersey Devils take on the visiting Vancouver Canucks. It’s the last time that the two clubs will meet in the regular season. Sportsnet Pacific will broadcast the matchup, which gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, November 24.
Vancouver Canucks at New Jersey Devils Odds
Vancouver (+115) is currently the underdog to New Jersey (-135) and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals. The odds for betting the total stand at -110 money on the over and -110 on the under.
Earning moneyline bettors 6.0 units, New Jersey is 12-9 straight up (SU) overall in the 2017-18 season. That win percentage, the second-best in the Metropolitan Division so far in this young season, is a huge turnaround from what the team did during the 2016-17 season (28-54). Through 21 regular season contests, 12 of the teams games have gone over the total, while nine have gone under and none have pushed. The teams 5-5 SU at home this year.
The Devils have converted on 22.7 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 15th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 80.2 percent of all penalties.
The Devils, as a collective unit, have been penalized 4.4 times per game overall this season, and 3.4 per game over their last ten games. The teams had to kill penalties for just 7.1 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, overall.
With a .918 save percentage and 30.8 saves per game, Cory Schneider (9-7-3) has been the top goalkeeper for the Devils this year. If New Jersey chooses to rest him, however, the team could turn to Keith Kinkaid (4-3-3 record, .905 save percentage, 3.08 goals against average).
Taylor Hall and Will Butcher will both look to continue their strong seasons for the Devils. Hall (21 points) has tallied six goals and 15 assists and has recorded two or more points five times this year. Butcher has two goals and 14 assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in 11 contests.
On the other side of the rink, Vancouver is 11-11 straight up (SU) and has earned 3.6 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 22 regular season contests, 11 of its games have gone over the total, while another 11 have gone under and none have pushed. As an away team, the Canucks are 8-3 SU so far.
The Canucks have converted on 19.8 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 20th overall and it’s successfully killed off 78.8 percent of all penalties.
Vancouver’s players have been penalized 4.1 times per game in total this season, and 5.0 per game over their last five on the road. The teams been forced to kill penalties just 7.4 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Jacob Markstrom (2.59 goals against average and .913 save percentage) has been the main option in goal for Vancouver. Markstrom is averaging 26.8 saves per game and has six wins, 10 losses, and two OT losses to his credit.
Brock Boeser (11 goals, 10 assists) will pace the attack for the visiting Canucks.
Vancouver Canucks vs. New Jersey Devils Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Devils, O/U – Over
Betting Trends:
- The total has gone over in three of New Jersey’s last five outings.
- Over New Jersey’s last ten outings, four of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 1-3 in those games).
- The Devils this season have registered the 12th-most hits per game (21.8), but that average has risen to 24.6 over their past five games as the home team.
