New Jersey Devils at Chicago Blackhawks odds, picks and predictions
The New Jersey Devils (6-3-1) and Chicago Blackhawks (4-6-0) tangle Sunday evening. Opening puck drop at the United Center is slated for 7 p.m. ET (NHL Network). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Devils vs. Blackhawks odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
New Jersey last played on Friday, having a 3-game win streak snapped in a 4-1 loss at the St. Louis Blues. After averaging 4.67 goals per game across their previous 6 games, the Devils planted just 1 goal in 34 shots on frame.
The Blackhawks are playing for a 2nd straight day after defeating the Florida Panthers 5-2 on Saturday night. On Oct. 11, Chicago lost to the Boston Bruins 3-1 in the back half of their only other double this season.
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Devils at Blackhawks odds
BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:19 a.m. ET.
Devils at Blackhawks projected goalies
Vitek Vanecek (5-2-0, 3.21 GAA, .893 SV%) vs. Arvid Soderblom (1-3-0, 4.19 GAA, .868 SV%)
Vanecek last toiled between the pipes on Thursday, allowing 3 goals at the Minnesota Wild. The 24-year-old owns a .942 SV% across 2 previous career starts against the Blackhawks.
Soderblom last played Monday when he was lit up for 7 twine-finders against the Arizona Coyotes. The 24-year-old has allowed 12 goals over his last 95 minutes of action.
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Devils at Blackhawks picks and predictions
Prediction
Devils 4, Blackhawks 2
Look for a bounce-back from the clearly superior Devils. Peg the puck line as bringing more value, though. PASS.
New Jersey is just 2-8 ATS, but the Devils minus the cushion is the value play in this Sunday night affair.
Vanecek figures to be a bit undervalued due to a low .821 SV% in short-handed situations. He has a good history against this Chicago team.
Dating back to last season, New Jersey is 6-1-0 across its last 7 games on 1-day rest. Chicago has a young team looking to bounce back on short rest. And the Blackhawks yield too many scoring chances and are facing a club adept at creating high-danger chances. Look for quite a few of those chances to be with an extra man on the ice against an oft-penalized-of-late Chicago club (and the Devils own a league-leading 43.6% power play).
TAKE NEW JERSEY -1.5 (+120).
No quibbles with a tightened 6 1/2-goal total. PASS.
