The New Jersey Devils (36-32-2) and Nashville Predators (34-28-9) meet in the NHL tonight. Puck drop is set for 8:00 p.m. EDT at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
The Predators are favored by 1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 6.5 (+102o / -124u). The Predators are a -113 favorite to win outright, while the Devils are -106 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Devils vs. Predators predictions and NHL picks.
Devils vs. Predators Odds, Pick
| Devils Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -260 | 6.5 102o / -124u | -106 |
| Predators Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +205 | 6.5 102o / -124u | -113 |
- Devils vs. Predators Spread: Devils +1.5 (-260), Predators -1.5 (+205)
- Devils vs. Predators Over/Under: 6.5 (+102o / -124u)
- Devils vs. Predators Moneyline: Devils -106, Predators -113
Devils vs Predators Kalshi Odds
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Devils vs. Predators Preview
New Jersey Devils
The Devils are coming off a win over the Stars, who have now dropped four of their last five after a 14-0-1 run. New Jersey jumped out early with four goals in the first period, something it has only done three times since the 2018–19 season.
While the Devils are all but officially out of the playoffs, they’ve started to turn a corner offensively after struggling to finish chances for much of the season. Over its last 10 games, New Jersey is scoring more than four G/60 and has generated 39.15 xGF, the second-highest mark in the league during that span.
It’s been a frustrating season to say the least, but it’s encouraging to see high-quality chances finally going its way, especially from the top of the lineup.
Jesper Bratt has scored in four straight games, while Jack Hughes is red-hot with eight goals and 10 assists over the last 10.
Defensively, the Devils have been nearly just as solid, allowing the fifth-fewest xGA/60 at 2.75 over the same stretch.
In net, Jake Allen has started the last two games, looking sharp in a 2-1 loss to the Capitals and relatively solid again against Dallas. It would be surprising to see him start a third straight game, which likely puts Jacob Markstrom back in goal, though nothing has been confirmed.
Markstrom has struggled this season, posting a -11.1 GSAx and .884 SV%. He hasn’t shown improvement as of late either with a 3.41 GAA and .857 SV% over his last five starts.
Nashville Predators
Nashville just might sneak into the playoffs after a season full of trade rumors and uncertainty about the team’s direction.
To its credit, despite being sellers at the deadline, they held onto the key pieces in Ryan O’Reilly, Steven Stamkos, and Jonathan Marchessault, which appears to be paying off.
The Predators have won five straight games, though it’s worth noting Vegas was the only playoff team mixed in those five.
Nashville has a -20 goal differential on the season, but whoever earns the final Wild Card spot in the West is likely to be underwhelming, and Nashville currently looks like the best of the teams vying for it.
They are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games; some of the underlying numbers are suspect. Over those 10 games, Nashville ranks second in high-danger shots against and fourth in expected goals against, while ranking last in 5-on-5 xGF.
That, paired with -14.09 goals against above expected, suggests some regression could be on the way.
Nonetheless, goaltending has been their saving grace. Backup Justus Annunen has started a few key games against Seattle and Vegas and has posted a .947 SV% and 1.78 GAA in four starts this month.
Juuse Saros has been solid as well, with a .902 SV% and 4.5 GSAx in his last 10 games, including a 4-0-1 record and a .924 SV% over his last five starts.
Tonight’s starter is still unclear at the time of this writing, but my best guess would be that Saros would draw his third straight.
Devils vs. Predators Prediction
I’m going to tail the line movement here.
The total was at 5.5 yesterday and has since climbed to 6.5 at most books, and there's good value on FanDuel at plus-money.
The Devils have finally started finding the back of the net, and I expect some regression for Nashville in the goals against department, given how many high-danger shots they’ve allowed lately.
It also helps that five of the Devils’ last six games have gone over, with four of them reaching nine goals.
Pick: Over 6.5 (+102, FanDuel)
