Pittsburgh Penguins vs New Jersey Devils Betting Pick & Prediction 12/21/24
Making on a bet on this NHL game featuring the Penguins versus the Devils? The puck drops at 7:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on ESPN+. The game will be played at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. The over/under for this matchup is currently set at 6.5 goals and the Devils are the -1.5 favorite to win at home vs. the Penguins.
PITTSBURGH PENGUINS VS NEW JERSEY DEVILS BETTING PICK
The Pick: New Jersey Devils -1.5
This game will be played at Prudential Center at 7:00 ET on Saturday, December 21st.
WHY BET THE NEW JERSEY DEVILS:
- Even though they are 1.5 goal underdogs, we see the Penguins winning this game by a score of 4-3.
- We like the Penguins on the moneyline (+187)
- The Penguins are also our pick on the spread at +1.5
Taking a Look at the Penguins Chances on the Road
With a 3-1 road win over the Canadiens, the Penguins moved above .500 to 15-14-5. Pittsburgh, favored by -1.5 goals, covered the puck line. The total was set at 6.5 goals, but the game’s 4 combined goals fell short of that mark.
Sidney Crosby led the way for the Penguins, scoring their first two goals. Blake Lizotte added an empty-netter to seal the win. Montreal’s only goal came in the third period, cutting the Penguins’ lead to 2-1 before Lizotte’s late tally.
Sidney Crosby led the way for the Penguins with two goals, including his fourth of the season just 4:03 into the first period. He added his fifth on a power play at 1:20 of the second period. Blake Lizotte chipped in with his second goal of the season, an empty-netter with 45 seconds left in the game.
Pittsburgh fired 24 shots on goal and recorded 14 giveaways. The Penguins scored once in each of the first two periods before Lizotte’s late goal sealed the 3-1 win.
Defensively, the Penguins allowed just one goal, which came at 5:32 into the 3rd period. Alex Nedeljkovic made 25 saves, posting a 96.2% save percentage. Pittsburgh’s defense also recorded 5 takeaways and 19 hits.
Can New Jersey Deliver Being Favored at Home?
The Devils fell to 21-11-3 after a 3-0 loss to the Flames. New Jersey was favored on the puck line, but failed to cover. The total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined score of 3 fell short.
Both teams were scoreless until the third period, when the Flames found the net three times. New Jersey’s offense struggled, managing only 22 shots on goal.
The Devils were shut out in their 3-0 loss to Calgary, managing 22 shots on goal but coming up empty. They had 19 giveaways and were unable to find the net in any of the three periods.
New Jersey failed to score on the power play and didn’t record any shorthanded or empty-net goals. The team’s record now stands at 21-11-3 after the loss.
Defensively, the Devils held the Flames scoreless through the first two periods, but they gave up three goals in the third, including an empty netter. New Jersey’s defense finished with 5 takeaways and 22 hits, while goaltender Jacob Markstrom made 29 saves with a 93.5% save percentage.