Blackhawks vs. Devils Pick
Can the Chicago Blackhawks secure the win tonight as a small favorite at the New Jersey Devils? The puck drops at 7PM ET.
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Blackhawks are listed as a -115 favorite on the moneyline. The Devils are a -105 underdog, while the over-under is set at 5.5 goals.
Chicago comes in with a 17-12-4-1 record after a 4-0 loss Thursday night at the Stars. New Jersey is 20-9-3-2 following a 4-3 home shootout victory Thursday over the Rangers. The Devils won the first meeting this season by a score of 7-5 on Nov. 12 in Chicago. The Blackhawks are 2-1 in three meetings since the start of last season. The over is 2-0-1.
In the loss at Dallas, Corey Crawford allowed four goals on 22 shots. Gustav Forsling and Nick Schmaltz both had rough days as they were minus-2 for the game. Dallas opened the scoring less than three minutes in before scoring twice more in the second period and once in the third.
Brian Boyle notched the game-winner in the shootout win against New York. He also scored a goal in regulation. Blake Coleman and John Moore added one goal apiece. Cory Schneider made 25 saves on 28 shots to earn the victory. Boyle’s goal tied the score with 8:06 left in regulation to force overtime and the eventual shootout.
Chicago is 4-9 in the last 13 meetings at New Jersey. The over is 3-0-2 in the last five meetings.
Chicago looked dreadful at Dallas, but this is a spot where it could bounce back against an overachieving Devils squad. Crawford is better than the four goals allowed on a low number of shots against the Stars. The Blackhawks also still have a potent offense and don’t expect it to get shut down a second game in a row.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS -115