Two teams that split their head-to-head series (one win apiece) last year, the Anaheim Ducks and the New Jersey Devils collide at the Prudential Center for an East-West tilt. The action will get started at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, December 18, and fans at home will be able to catch it live on MSG Network.
Anaheim Ducks vs. New Jersey Devils Odds
New Jersey enters the contest as the favorite with a -125 moneyline. The line for Anaheim sits at +105.
The Devils are 18-14 straight up (SU) and have netted 8.0 units for moneyline bettors this season. That winning percentage, ranked 3rd in the Metropolitan Division in this young season, is a remarkable improvement over the 28-54 record from last years regular season campaign. Through 32 regular season contests, 17 of its games have gone over the total, while 14 have gone under and just one has pushed. The team is 8-7 SU at home this year.
New Jersey’s converted on 19.8 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 10th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.8 percent of all penalties.
New Jersey, as a collective unit, has been whistled for penalties 4.1 times per game overall this season, and 3.4 per game over its last five games. The team has been forced to kill penalties for just 8.4 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, overall.
Sporting a .921 save percentage and 29.8 saves per game, Cory Schneider (14-10-4) has been the primary option in goal for the Devils this season. If head coach John Hynes decides to rest him, however, the team could go with Keith Kinkaid (5-5-5 record, .893 save percentage, 3.49 goals against average).
The Devils will continue to lean on the offensive production out of Taylor Hall and Will Butcher. Hall (31 points) has tallied 11 goals and 20 assists and has recorded two or more points eight times this year. Butcher has two goals and 19 assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in 15 contests.
On the other bench, Anaheim is 14-19 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.5 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. Through 33 regular season matches, 21 of its games have gone under the total, while 11 have gone over and just one has pushed. As a road team so far, Anaheim is 6-9 SU.
Anaheim has converted on 18.1 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked fourth overall and it’s successfully defended 83.7 percent of all penalties.
Anaheim’s players have been penalized 4.8 times per game in total this season, and 3.0 per game over their last five match ups. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays just 7.2 minutes per game over their last five outings.
John Gibson (.921 save percentage and 2.84 goals against average) has been the main option in goal for Anaheim. Gibson is averaging 31.0 saves per game and owns a 10-16-5 record.
Corey Perry (six goals, 16 assists) has been one of the top facilitators on offense for the visiting Ducks.
Anaheim Ducks vs. New Jersey Devils Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Devils, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- The total has gone over in four of New Jersey’s last five games.
- The Ducks are 12-10 SU in games where they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Devils are 10-5 SU when they spend more time in the box than the opposition.
- Two of Anaheim’s last ten games have been decided by a shootout. The team is 0-2 in those games and 2-4 overall in shootouts this season. New Jersey skaters have averaged 10.0 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 8.0 takeaways per game (ranked 11th in the NHL).
- Anaheim skaters have averaged 7.8 takeaways per game over its last five road games, an improvement over its season average of 6.2 takeaways per game (ranked 25th overall).
- New Jersey could hold the upper hand if it’s a close one late. The teams 10-6 in games decided by one goal, while Anaheim is 7-9 in such games.
