The New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings will take center stage on Wednesday night, duking it out in the only NHL game of the day.
My Devils vs. Kings predictions see shots being hard to come by in a battle between two of the league’s best defensive teams.
Let’s break things down further with my NHL picks for January 1.
Devils vs Kings prediction
My best bet
Jack Hughes Under 3.5 shots on goal (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
Jack Hughes’ shot volume has taken a hit this season. He averaged 4.4 shots a year ago and has seen that number dip to 3.7 this year. Although he has cleared 3.5 shots in three consecutive games, the gravy train should stop Wednesday against the Los Angeles Kings.
The Kings are as good as it gets defensively. They have allowed just 24.6 shots on goal per game this season, which is the best mark in the NHL. They’ve been even stingier when playing on home soil, conceding an average of 22.7 shots in Los Angeles.
A big reason for this is their ability to control matchups. Hughes will see a steady dose of the Vladislav Gavrikov and Mikey Anderson shutdown pairing, which will make it very difficult on him to create shots.
The Gavrikov-Anderson pairing has held opponents to 47 shot attempts and 20 shots on goal per 60 minutes of 5v5 play. They’ve also allowed 1.81 expected goals per 60, the sixth-lowest mark amongst 81 pairings that have spent at least 200 minutes together. They give up next to nothing.
Making matters worse is it’ll often be Anze Kopitar or Phillip Danault getting the Hughes assignment up front. Kopitar has long been one of the best two-way forwards in the league, while Danault’s line allows fewer than 20 shots per 60 minutes.
There shouldn’t be much space for Hughes to navigate. Not only is he facing an elite defensive team that plays with as much structure as anybody — he is doing so while playing his fourth game in six days against a rested Kings team that hasn’t played a road game since before the Christmas break.
Hughes had two shots on four attempts when these two met in early December. I’d expect a similar outcome this time around.
Devils vs Kings same-game parlay (SGP)
Jack Hughes Under 3.5 shots on goal
Adrian Kempe Under 3.5 shots on goal
Under 2.5 goals first 10 minutes
What's more fun than cheering for things not to happen? We’re already doing it with Hughes shots, so we might as well double down with Adrian Kempe.
The Kings’ star winger has averaged 2.8 shots on goal this season and cleared 3.5 shots in only 31% of his games. He’s recorded 4+ shots in three of his past 10 games, two of which came against non-playoff teams in the Rangers and the Flyers. The exception was a four shot performance against the Oilers — but two of those came in extra time.
New Jersey ranks third in shot suppression on the season and first when isolating the past 10 games. Playing their third straight road game and fourth game in six nights, I doubt they’ll be looking to open things up and turn this one into a track meet. They’ll be relying on their defense and structure to grind through this one.
While fatigue may set in for the New Jersey Devils as the game progresses, I’m expecting a slow burn out of the gate.
Both teams rank in the Bottom 5 in 5v5 pace this season. Each prefers a slow, methodical approach rather than trading rush chances and playing firewagon hockey.
The Devils will be motivated to get back to their game after two straight losses, while the Kings will likely prefer to bottle things up after giving up seven goals over a two-game span for the first time since November.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Devils vs Kings odds
Devils vs Kings live odds
Devils vs Kings opening odds
- Puck line: New Jersey +1.5 (-258) | Los Angeles -1.5 (+215)
- Moneyline: New Jersey +102 | Los Angeles -115
- Over/Under: Over 6 (+104) | Under 6 (-119)
Devils vs Kings trend
Jack Hughes has failed to clear 3.5 shots on goal in four of his last six games against Los Angeles. Find more NHL betting trends for Devils vs. Kings.
How to watch Devils vs Kings
| Location: | Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA |
| Date: | Wednesday, 1-1-2025 |
| Puck drop: | 6:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | MSGSN, FDSNW |
Devils vs Kings latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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