Blackhawks vs Devils Picks, Predictions & Odds Tonight

Covers

05 January 2024

The Blackhawks have been slumping offensively, and our NHL picks don't think the Devils are about to serve up a get-right spot for the wayward young squad tonight.

Kicking off Friday’s mini three-game NHL slate is an interconference matchup with the New Jersey Devils hosting the Chicago Blackhawks as heavy NHL odds favorites.

These two clubs last squared off in the beginning of November, with New Jersey winning 4-2 as the Under hit while it covered the puck line.

Will we see another low-scoring affair, or can the goal-scoring pick up this time around? Find out in our free NHL picks for Blackhawks vs. Devils on Friday, January 5.

Blackhawks vs Devils odds

Blackhawks vs Devils predictions

We hit the Under in Chicago’s game last night against the New York Rangers, and in the traditional “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mindset, we’re going back to the well on Friday. As I analyzed yesterday, the Hawks currently sit in 31st place as the team is playing as poorly as ever and looks to potentially land back-to-back first-overall picks.

Connor Bedard and Jason Dickinson are the only two guys creating any offensive chances for this group. And those two have even cooled down, with Bedard posting just one assist over his past four games, while Dickinson has been held off the scoresheet altogether in each of his past three outings.

As I also talked about yesterday, this team simply just can’t score, as they were averaging a mere two goals per game over their past 17 prior to the Rangers game. After scoring just one goal last night, that average has dropped to 1.94.

There have been six or fewer total goals scored in 11 of those 18 outings. Finally, the injury bug we discussed in last night’s game isn't any better for Friday.

The Blackhawks are expected to be without Joey Anderson, Taylor Raddysh, Anthony Beauvillier, Tyler Johnson, Andreas Athanasiou, and Taylor Hall. Now, this roster of AHLers is tasked with going against one of the best two-way teams in the league.

At 5-on-5, New Jersey ranks eighth in the league in expected goals against per 60 mintues (xGA/60). That defensive efficiency is going to make life extremely difficult for Chicago, a team that ranks last in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) at 5-on-5.

Yes, goaltender Vitek Vanecek is expected to get the nod between the pipes for the Devils on Friday and has not been anything special. However, as with most goaltenders of the post-dynasty Hawks, Vanecek has excelled against Chicago.

Through three career starts against the Blackhawks, he’s 2-0-1 with a commanding .942 SV% and 1.62 GAA. There were six or fewer total goals scored in two of those three outings.

My best bet: Under 6.5 (+105 at BetMGM)

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Blackhawks vs Devils same-game parlay

Under 6.5

Devils moneyline

At this point, we’re likely to see every playoff-caliber team hover between the three-to-four-dollar mark against Chicago. There is not a single aspect of the game that the Hawks are better in than New Jersey.

The Devils are stronger offensively, defensively, on special teams, at the faceoff circle, and in net. To put into perspective how difficult things have been Chicago, it has not won a game on the road in nearly two months.

Yes, it has lost 13 straight games when playing away from the United Center. On the other hand, New Jersey has won four of its past five games as it continues to turn its play around.

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Blackhawks vs Devils moneyline and Over/Under analysis

The Devils opened as –400 favorites and remain at that number as of writing. While this is a ridiculously long number for any NHL game, I suspect that the market will keep inflating, as there is not a single advantage this Hawks team possesses in this game.

That brings us to the total, which opened at 6.5 and also remains at that number. I don't think we will see any movement here.

Yes, the Devils could put up seven themselves, but if Chicago can hold them to just four goals, I don’t see the Hawks scoring more than twice at the most.