NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Devils vs. Predators

NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Devils vs. Predators article feature image
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Photo by Rich Graessle/NHLI via Getty Images. Pictured: Jack Hughes.

  • The Predators host the Devils in Thursday night NHL action.
  • Nashville has played well at home, but New Jersey is red hot of late and our analyst expects that to continue in this one.
  • Greg Liodice digs into the odds and offers up a best bet below.

Devils vs. Predators Odds

Devils Odds-137
Predators Odds+114
Over/Under6 (-112/-108)
Time8 p.m. ET
TV BSSO
Odds via FanDuel. Get up-to-the-minute NHL Odds here.

Don’t look now, but the New Jersey Devils are red hot. The Devils are 8-1-1 in their past 10 games and look to continue their hot stretch in Music City against the Nashville Predators.

Nashville is scratching and clawing its way to be recognized as a playoff team. The Predators are coming off a very convincing win against the Winnipeg Jets. They’re also playing decent hockey as of late, going 6-4 in their past 10.

Here’s a look at our odds, as well as our betting prediction for the New Jersey Devils vs. Nashville Predators.

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New Jersey Devils

Not only have the Devils had a ton of team success, but there have been individual success as well. The Devils have seven players who have netted 10 or more goals, and three who are averaging a point per game (Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt and Nico Hischier). Defenseman Dougie Hamilton is also enjoying a great season with 42 points.

New Jersey is one of the better even strength teams with a top-three 55.39 xGF% (expected goals). The Devils also generate a ton of high danger chances per game.

Along with their high end even strength game, the Devils’ work on special teams is hard to ignore. The power play is fairly average, scoring 21.4% of the time, but the penalty kill is fantastic, with an 81.5% success rate.

Vitek Vanecek has taken the starting role and ran with it. The Czechian netminder is playing like a top-10 goalie, posting an +8.0 goals saved above expected (GSAx) and a .916 SV%. He's also posted a win in his past eight games.


Nashville Predators

Captain Roman Josi has been on hot streak, registering points in seven of his past nine games. He shares the scoring lead with Filip Forsberg, who’s always a threat to light the lamp. Matt Duchene and Mikael Granlund aren’t far behind them in the scoring race.

There aren’t many offensive weapons in Nashville, and it shows in the numbers. The Predators rank 22nd in expected goals with a 49.53 xGF% and average about 10 high danger chances per game.

Along with their lacking even strength game, the Predators have the third-worst power play in the league, scoring at a 16.2% pace. However, their penalty kill does the job with an 80.2% success rate.

One can argue that Juuse Saros stole Nashville's last game against the Jets. The former Vezina nominee has solidified himself as a top-five goaltender, playing to a +23.6 GSAx and a .920 SV%.


Devils vs. Predators Pick

The last time these two teams played each other, the Predators won in overtime. However, I think the outcome will be much different in this game. The Devils have an incredible 18-2-2 road record and Nashville is great at home, but the Devils are clearly the better team.

Of course, we still need to factor in how Juuse Saros will impact this game. Saros can usually handle a big load and the Predators do a good job protecting him. The Devils, though, average a healthy 34 shots per game and more shots create more problems. I see the Devils leaving Music City victorious.

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