NHL betting preview (March 28): Devils vs. Jets odds
Join Daily Faceoff’s Andy MacNeil as he handicaps Friday’s NHL matchup between the New Jersey Devils and Winnipeg Jets.
Devils vs. Jets Odds
- New Jersey Devils Moneyline: +150
- Winnipeg Jets Moneyline: -180
- Puck Line: Devils +1.5 (-185), Jets -1.5 (-125)
- Game Total: 5.5 (Over +105, Under -125)
Game odds via Sports Interaction.
Handicapping the Devils (38-35 SU, 30-43 ATS, 28-43-2 O/U)
New Jersey opened its three-game Central Division road trip with a 5-3 win in Chicago on Wednesday, snapping a three-game losing streak. The Devils hold a nine-point lead over both the Rangers and Islanders but trail the Carolina Hurricanes by seven points, effectively locking them into third place in the Metropolitan Division.
The Devils are 6-6-1 in March and 5-5-1 since Jack Hughes last played. Earlier this month, Hughes underwent shoulder surgery, was placed on long-term injured reserve, and will miss the rest of the season and playoffs. To make matters worse, defenseman Dougie Hamilton was injured in the next game and is out for the regular season and the first round of the playoffs.
Hughes led the team in scoring with 27 goals and 43 assists in 62 games, raising concerns that Jesper Bratt’s production might decline in his absence. However, Bratt has stepped up with three goals and 13 assists in 11 games. Captain Nico Hischier and Luke Hughes have each contributed 12 points in that span, while Timo Meier leads the team with six goals in 11 games.
That said, the Devils have struggled at five-on-five. According to Evolving Hockey, since Hughes was sidelined, New Jersey ranks 22nd in expected goals and 19th in shot attempts. Additionally, the Devils rank among the bottom 10 teams in goals against per 60 minutes and sit 19th in goals per 60 in all situations.
The Devils will finish off their road trip on Saturday in Minnesota.
Handicapping the Jets (49-23 SU, 36-36 ATS, 32-37-3 O/U)
The Jets are now one point behind the Washington Capitals in the race for the Presidents’ Trophy following their overtime win over Washington on Tuesday. Winnipeg will have a two-day rest advantage over the Devils on Friday, which is significant given that home teams have won nearly 60 percent of the games in which they have more rest than their opponent.
The Jets visited New Jersey earlier this month and won 6-1, despite having played the night before. Winnipeg led 3-0 after two periods, and added three goals in the final 10 minutes to put the game out of reach. The Jets are 7-3 straight up versus New Jersey in the last 10 meetings. The Devils have also lost their last three trips to Winnipeg.
According to Evolving Hockey, Winnipeg ranks third in expected goals at five-on-five in March. Offensively, they haven’t been living up to the standard they set for themselves earlier this season, but they remain one of the best defensive teams in the NHL, which should serve them well against a Devils team that struggles to score.
Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele have been leading the way for the Jets this month, as they have all season. In the last 12 games, Connor has scored six goals and seven assists, while Scheifele has scored two goals and 10 assists. Nikolaj Ehlers also has six goals in and 10 points in his last 12 games.
Best bets for Devils vs. Jets
- Nikolaj Ehlers Anytime Goal (+200) at Sports Interaction
Ehlers is tied with Connor for the team lead in shots on goal (37) and goals (6) in March, and he’s been particularly hot lately. The 29-year-old has scored in six of his last 11 games, including three of his last four and back-to-back games. At +200 odds, he’s a solid bet to score against a Devils team that has struggled defensively.