The New Jersey Devils (-170) play host to the St. Louis Blues (+145) at Prudential Center on Thursday. The total is 6.5 (O: -125, U: +105)St. Louis (18-17-3) is coming off a high-scoring 6-5 shootout win over the Maple Leafs on Tuesday.
The Blues took advantage of their limited power play opportunities, scoring twice on two shots, while also conceding a power play goal. Brandon Saad led the Blues with two goals. Jordan Binnington allowed five goals on 25 shots against (.800%) in the win.
New Jersey (24-11-3) is playing the second of a back-to-back after earning a 5-1 win over the Red Wings yesterday. Five players found the net for the Devils. Vitek Vanecek was impressive in the win, making 32 saves (.969%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Devils won both games between the teams last season, including a 3-2 (OT) victory in their final meeting in March, their third straight win against St. Louis. Jack Hughes led New Jersey with two points (0G 2A).
Jordan Kyrou (1G 1A) and Vladimir Tarasenko (0G 2A) each had two points to lead St. Louis. Nico Daws got the win, saving 19 of 21 shots (.904%).
FACING OFF
St. Louis is averaging 3.08 goals per game for the season, 20th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Devils team that is allowing only 2.55 goals a game (2nd). Meanwhile, New Jersey has found the net 3.39 times a game on average, eighth in the league, and the Blues are allowing opponents to score 3.66 goals per game (27th).
New Jersey averages more shots/game (34.5) than most teams in the league, ranking fifth, though the team’s 9.8% shooting percentage is 21st. With an average of 29.6 attempts, St. Louis ranks 24th.The Blues’ 23.36% power play percentage ranks 14th in the league, while the Devils are 23rd with a conversion rate of 19.49%.
While efficient on the power play, St. Louis has been poor at penalty killing, as the away team possesses the league’s fourth-lowest PK% at 71.43%. New Jersey’s 81.97% ranks ninth in the NHL.
TOP PERFORMERS:
Kyrou (37 points), Robert Thomas (34), and Pavel Buchnevich (29) have been the top skaters this season for the Blues. Buchnevich has also been an offensive leader for St. Louis, scoring 12 and assisting 17.
In the net, Binnington (14-12-3) is St. Louis’ top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 3.21 GAA and a .893% save percentage.
Hughes leads the Devils in scoring with 44 points. He has 22 goals and 22 assists in 38 games. Vanecek (13-5-2) is the top goalie for New Jersey with a goals against average of 2.38. He has a save percentage of .911%.
HOME AND AWAY
St. Louis is 11-9-1 on the road this season. New Jersey has dropped seven in a row at home this season. Meanwhile, the Devils are 3-1 without a day off and 2-0 playing with a rest disadvantage. The Blues are 0-1 with a rest advantage.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
NJ Devils (-175)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
