The New Jersey Devils (50-21-8) and their high-volume offense are on the road to face the Boston Bruins (61-12-5) and their suffocating goaltending at TD Garden on Saturday. New Jersey is coming off a high-scoring 8-1 win over the Blue Jackets on Thursday.
The Devils committed eight penalties in the game, though they held Columbus without a power play goal. Jack Hughes and Timo Meier both scored twice for the Devils. Vitek Vanecek saved an impressive 16 of 17 shots (.941%) in the win.
Boston won their fourth in a row, beating the Maple Leafs 2-1 (OT) on Thursday. Charlie Coyle and David Pastrnak each scored once for the Bruins. Coyle added an assist to lead the team in scoring. Jeremy Swayman was impressive in the win, making 31 saves (.968%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Bruins have won both games between the teams this season, including a 3-1 victory in their most recent meeting in December, their fifth straight win against New Jersey. Hampus Lindholm led Boston with two points (0G 2A). Nico Hischier scored New Jersey’s only goal. Linus Ullmark got the win, saving 30 of 31 shots (.967%).
FACING OFF
New Jersey is averaging 3.51 goals per game for the season, sixth in the NHL, and they are taking on a Bruins team that is allowing just 2.10 goals a game (1st).
Meanwhile, Boston has found the net 3.64 times a game on average, second in the league, and the Devils are allowing opponents to score 2.71 goals per game (7th).
New Jersey averages more shots (34.5) than most teams in the league, ranking fourth. Boston has proven up to the task of stopping shots, ranking No. 1 with a team save percentage of .932%.
Look for a few power play opportunities for the Devils, as the Bruins have been penalized 4.38 times a game, fifth-most in the NHL, for an average of 10.53 minutes (ninth-highest).
The visitors are averaging 3.35 penalties (3rd-fewest in the league) and 7.76 penalty minutes a game (5th-fewest).The Bruins’ 21.93% power play percentage ranks 12th in the league, while the Devils are 15th with a conversion rate of 21.66%. Boston has been more adept at penalty killing, boasting the league’s highest PK% at 87.08%. New Jersey ranks sixth at 82.74%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 95 points this season, Hughes is the top skater for the Devils. He is among the league leaders with 42 goals (8th) and has added 53 assists. In the net, Vanecek (32-11-4) is New Jersey’s top goaltender. He has a 2.46 GAA and a .910% save percentage.
Pastrnak leads the Bruins in scoring with 104 points (5th in the league). He has 57 goals (2nd in the league) and 47 assists in 78 games. Ullmark (38-6-1) has the best goals against average for Boston at 1.90, best in the league. He has a save percentage of .937%, also best.
HOME AND AWAY
New Jersey is 27-8-4 on the road this season. Boston is 32-4-3 at home this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Boston Bruins (-145)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
