NHL betting preview (Jan. 22): Bruins vs. Devils odds
Join Daily Faceoff’s Andy MacNeil as he handicaps Wednesday’s matchup between the Boston Bruins and New Jersey Devils.
Bruins vs. Devils Odds
- Boston Bruins Moneyline: +207
- New Jersey Devils Moneyline: -234
- Puck Line: Bruins +1.5 (-132), Devils -1.5 (+117)
- Game Total: 5.5 (Over -114, Under +102)
Game odds via Pinnacle.
Handicapping the Bruins (23-25 SU, 17-31 ATS, 24-23-1 O/U)
Boston is 3-0-1 since snapping a six-game losing streak, and although the Bruins are just 9-12-3 on the road, Wednesday presents a good opportunity to back Boston to win as an underdog.
The Bruins are 8-0-1 against the Devils since the start of the 2021-22 season, and Jeremy Swayman is 2-0-1 with a 1.31 goals-against average and a .954 save percentage against the Devils in his career. Swayman and the Bruins shut out the Devils in their last meeting on Jan. 15, 2024, and while he hasn’t been at his best this season, he has looked much more capable as of late.
Despite owning a 4-5-1 record over his last 10 appearances, Swayman has been solid overall, posting a .920 save percentage. That ranks fifth among goaltenders who have faced at least 400 unblocked shot attempts since Dec. 23. He’ll also be well-rested heading into this game after having three days off since his last start.
According to Evolving Hockey, Boston grades out as the fifth-worst team in expected goals and shot attempts over the last month, but between Swayman’s current form and the fact that the Bruins have scored more five-on-five goals than all but three teams during that span, there’s plenty of reason to believe they can hang with the Devils on Wednesday.
Handicapping the Devils (26-23 SU, 20-29 ATS, 15-32-2 O/U)
New Jersey is looking to end a four-game losing streak, but although the odds suggest the Devils will win this game more than 70 percent of the time, their recent play makes that feel like a stretch. Not only have the Devils lost nine of their last 11 games, but they’ve also failed to score more than three goals in any of those games.
Since returning from the holiday break on Dec. 27, the Devils have averaged just 1.97 goals per 60 minutes, tied for 31st in the league. The pressure could mount further, as the Devils will play 11 of their next 15 games on the road following Wednesday’s home game against the Bruins. Additionally, the Devils are just 12-12 straight-up on home ice this season.
New Jersey’s struggles aren’t simply due to bad luck, either. Over the last month, the Devils rank 20th in even-strength shot attempt percentage and 23rd in expected goals percentage, according to Evolving Hockey. This suggests there isn’t much separating the Bruins and Devils right now, despite what the standings indicate.
Best bet for Bruins vs. Devils
- Boston Bruins Moneyline (+207) at Pinnacle
Boston hasn’t been playing exceptionally well and is missing its two top defenders, Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm, but at least the Bruins are scoring, which is more than the Devils can say. While New Jersey might be more likely to control the play, given how poorly the Devils have performed both on and beneath the surface, it makes sense to fade them in a matchup where they are big favorites against a more-than-capable goaltender.
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