The Edmonton Oilers will travel to the Prudential Center tonight to take on the New Jersey Devils. The Oilers, who sit comfortably near the top in the Pacific Division with a record of 37-23-4, enter this matchup as slight favorites, priced at -130 on the moneyline. The Devils, who aren’t too bad either as they’re currently 35-25-6 in the Metropolitan Division, are the underdogs at +110. We think this game is shaping up to be quite a showdown for Thursday Night Hockey.
With plenty of time to get your bets in on this matchup, we’re going to analyze each team and give you our prediction for the Oilers vs Devils.
The Oilers come into this game riding high on a 3-7 record in their last 10 games.
While their offensive firepower remains undeniable, led by Leon Draisaitl and his league-leading 46 goals, their blue-line lapses have been a cause for concern.
Despite averaging 3.23 goals per game which ranks them 2nd in the NHL, Edmonton has struggled to keep pucks out of their own net. They have a mediocre 2.94 GA/G. That puts them right in the middle of the pack.
Key performer Stuart Skinner, who is set to start in goal tonight, has a 2.88 GAA and a .896 save percentage, far from what we’d call elite. He’s had better seasons.
Edmonton's inconsistency has been evident, particularly in their recent stretch, as they've allowed 4+ goals per game in several matchups, even against some lesser teams like Anaheim, which they lost 6-2. Despite this, the Oilers have hit the over 6 times in their last 10 games which just goes to show their tendency for high-scoring contests.
On the other hand, the Devils have been relatively solid with a 6-4 record in their last 10 games, and they’ve been better defensively compared to their Pacific Division counterparts.
Their 2.53 GA/G ranks 2nd in the NHL, while their .910 save percentage is also impressive, especially with Jacob Markstrom slated to go between the pipes.
Though they have struggled considerably in their recent losses, they have been successful in controlling games with a solid defensive structure and an explosive top 6 featuring Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt — both of which are having outstanding seasons.
The Devils' ability to limit high-danger chances could give them the upper hand against an Oilers team known for its offensive juggernaut but less reliable defense. Despite the records, the Devils appear to have the better-rounded team heading into tonight.
The matchup between the Oilers’ offense and the Devils' defense will be pivotal and this is what everyone will be watching.
Edmonton’s attack, led by Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, has scored at will throughout the season. Sure, they are in the top 10 when it comes to GF/G, but the Devils have one of the stingiest defenses in the league.
If New Jersey can maintain their defensive form, particularly on their home ice, they should be able to frustrate Edmonton’s high-flying attack and keep the points at a minimum.
With Markstrom expected to start tonight, the Devils will be relying on their netminder to perform against one of the most potent offenses. Markstrom has been solid this season with a 2.42 GAA and a .905 save percentage, which isn’t great, but it does offer New Jersey a reliable option between the pipes.
Despite the Oilers' high-powered offense, New Jersey's defense and ability to match the Oilers’ scoring potential give them a strong edge in this matchup. The Devils are undeniably a more complete team, capable of winning in low-scoring games, which could play to their advantage in this game.
BettorsInsider’s Prediction: Devils 4, Oilers 2
Best Bet: Devils +1.5 at -185
The Oilers’ recent form has been shaky despite their record, and their vulnerability in goal will likely be exploited by the Devils, who have been playing strong hockey at home. With home ice and a more balanced lineup, we expect New Jersey to pull off the win by 2+ goals.
As the Oilers battle their defensive issues and the Devils continue their strong home play, New Jersey’s defense and goalie Markstrom should carry them to a solid victory in this out-of-conference showdown. However, before we leave you hanging, we wanted to give you some betting insights.
Oilers Betting Trends: In their last 10 games, Edmonton has struggled against the spread, with a 3-7 record. They’ve hit the over in 6 of those contests, highlighting their reliance on offense to stay competitive.
Devils Betting Trends: New Jersey has been 6-4 against the spread in their last 10 games and has been strong defensively. They’ve managed to hit the over in 5 of 10, but the Devils’ defensive game will be crucial here.