Stars vs. Devils Prediction and Odds (Don't Underestimate New Jersey)

The New Jersey Devils are better than their record indicates this season.
The New Jersey Devils are better than their record indicates this season. / Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
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The Dallas Stars are 3-0 on their East Coast road trip, taking down the Sabres, Red Wings, and Flyers in their last three outings. They wrap up their road trip tonight when they take on the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center.

The Stars need to keep the wings coming if they want to get back into the top four in the Central Division. They still sit nine points back from the Minnesota Wild in fourth place. Meanwhile, the Devils season is already over. They'll continue to evaluate their young talent as they look ahead to next season. They're currently 15 points back from a playoff spot.

Let's take a look at the odds via WynnBET for tonight's interconference showdown.

Stars vs. Devils Odds and Total

Moneyline:

  • Stars -130
  • Devils +110

Puck line:

  • Stars -1.5 (+170)
  • Devils +1.5 (-210)

Total:

  • 5.5 (Over -125/Under +105)

Stars vs. Devils Betting Trends

  • Stars are 8-4 in their last 12 games.
  • Stars are 4-1 in their last five games vs. DEvils.
  • Stars are 3-7 in their last 10 road games.
  • The OVER is 10-5 in the Devils' last 15 games.
  • Devils are 1-9 in their last 10 games vs. Western Conference opponents.

Stars vs. Devils Prediction and Pick

The New Jersey Devils are a better team than their record indicates, but their complete lack of goaltending has cost them mightily this season. They're allowing 3.35 goals per 60 minutes of play, but their expected goals against per 60 minutes is only 2.83. That lines up with their team save percentage, which is last in the NHL at 88.86%.

Despite that, I'm going to take a shot at them as a home underdog tonight. The Stars are at the end of a four-game road trip, and many of their numbers are similar to those that the Devils post. The two teams are 11th and 13th in CORSI% over their last 10 games, and New Jersey ranks first in the NHL over that span in high danger scoring chances against, allowing an average of only 8.22 per game.

I'm going to bank on the Devils finally getting some average goaltending from John Gillies, and take a shot at them as a home underdog.

Pick: Devils +110

Iain is 16-12-1 (+3.94 units) with his NHL picks in 2022. You can see his detailed record here.