The Boston Bruins (37-23-6) and New Jersey Devils (33-31-2) meet in the NHL tonight. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. EDT at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN.
The Devils are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 5.5 (-122 / +108). The Devils are a -120 favorite to win outright, while the Bruins are +108 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Bruins vs. Devils predictions and NHL picks.
Bruins vs. Devils Odds, Pick
| Bruins Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -250 | 5.5 -125o / 105u | +105 |
| Devils Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +205 | 5.5 -125o / 105u | -125 |
- Bruins vs. Devils Spread: Bruins +1.5 (-250), Devils -1.5 (+205)
- Bruins vs. Devils Over/Under: 5.5 (-125 / +105)
- Bruins vs. Devils Moneyline: Bruins +105, Devils -125
Bruins vs. Devils Preview
There may be no team more due for regression down the stretch of the regular season than the Boston Bruins. Despite their 37-23-6 record, Boston ranks 28th in expected goal share.
The Bruins have struggled to generate high-danger scoring chances and have also had difficulty suppressing them defensively. Entering this matchup, Boston ranks 23rd in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) and 31st in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60).
A high shooting percentage has helped carry the Bruins to this point, but that success may not continue if they fail to generate quality scoring opportunities. The opposite is true of the New Jersey Devils, who have controlled play but struggled to convert their chances.
This season, New Jersey ranks 31st in shooting percentage but 13th in expected goal share. The Devils also outrank Boston in both xGF/60 and xGA/60.
Meanwhile, goaltender Jeremy Swayman is expected to start for the Bruins. While he is a strong netminder, he has struggled against New Jersey in recent seasons.
Across the past four meetings, Swayman owns a .886 save percentage.
Bruins vs. Devils Prediction
New Jersey has the potential to pressure Swayman and force another difficult outing. The underlying metrics favor the Devils, which could help narrow the goaltending gap between Swayman and New Jersey’s Jacob Markstrom, who is projected to start.
Home ice also favors the Devils, who are 17-15-2 at Prudential Center this season. Boston, meanwhile, enters the contest with a 12-14-5 road record.
Pick: Devils Moneyline (-120 at DraftKings | Play to -125)
