Kyle Palmieri, Taylor Hall, and the New Jersey Devils will face off against Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel, and the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena in a Metro Division tilt. AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh will broadcast the game, and the opening face-off is at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, November 22.
New Jersey Devils at Pittsburgh Penguins Odds
Producing -2.4 units for moneyline bettors, Pittsburgh is 11-11 straight up (SU) overall in the 2019-20 season. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 44-38 record that the team managed during last year’s regular season campaign. Of its 22 games this season, nine have gone under the total, while nine have gone over and just one has pushed. Thus far, the team is 7-5 SU at home.
The Penguins have converted on just 16.1 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that places them in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated fourth overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 87.5 percent of all penalties.
Averaging 24.8 saves per game with a .907 save percentage, Matt Murray (9-9-4) has been the best option in goal for the Pens this year. Murray did just play last night, however, so Pittsburgh may decide to give him a rest and roll with Tristan Jarry instead (2-3-3 record, .938 save percentage, 1.98 goals against average).
On the other bench, New Jersey is 7-13 straight up (SU) and has lost 6.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. 12 of its games have gone over the total, while eight have gone under the total and none have pushed. The Devils are 4-5 SU as an away team this season.
The Devils have converted on just 13.9 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that places them in the bottom-five overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 26th overall and it’s successfully killed off 75.4 percent of all penalties.
MacKenzie Blackwood (2.95 goals against average and .899 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for New Jersey. Blackwood is averaging 25.4 saves per game and has seven wins, eight losses, and three overtime losses to his credit.
New Jersey Devils vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Free Picks
Pick: SU Winner – Penguins
Bettings Trends:
For both of these clubs, the under has hit in three of their last five outings.
New Jersey has managed 30.2 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Pittsburgh has been attempting 37.8 shots per game over its last five at home.
Over New Jersey’s last ten games, five of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 1-4 in those games).
The Penguins this season have handed out the second-most hits per game in the NHL (29.1).
