The New Jersey Devils have really fallen off after having one of the best starts to a season in franchise history. That being said, I believe that this six-game losing streak is somewhat of a fluke.
They are still generating a ton of offense and even outplaying their opponents on some nights, but the puck is not finding the back of the net. I think that changes for them tonight.
The Panthers are missing a ton of key players due to injury and they got absolutely dominated in Boston Monday night, even though they did outshoot the Bruins 39-26.
I’d say the Panthers were the better team in the second half of that game, but they dug themselves into a 3-0 hole after the first period and weren’t able to complete the comeback.
The Devils have been a very strong team on the road, and even though this is the latter of a back-to-back, I still like their chances against a broken Panthers roster. Read more in my NHL picks and predictions below.
Devils vs Panthers best odds
Devils vs Panthers picks and predictions
Despite the New Jersey Devils' lack of offensive production during this losing streak, the one positive to take away is that Jack Hughes is continuing his stellar season.
Hughes has 17 goals and 20 assists in 32 games and he's currently riding a three-game point streak. New Jersey has been able to rely on him to carry this team offensively all season and that should continue in this game tonight.
The Florida Panthers have been so inconsistent this season and their struggles on the power play are alarming. They have one goal on the man advantage in their last seven games and they'll need more production out of their two units if they want to remain competitive.
Both of these teams are top in the league at generating offense, so this game should be relatively back and forth, but the value in the Devils lies in the defense and goaltending.
New Jersey certainly has the advantage in both of those categories as the Panthers announced that Sergei Bobrovsky will be their starter tonight and he hasn't performed at such a high level this season. The Devils also happen to be a much stronger team defensively than the Panthers, and I find them way more reliable.
The Devils are going to play with a ton of urgency as they are dying to end this drought, while the Panthers have so many holes in their roster without Sasha Barkov, Patric Hornqvist, and Anthony Duclair. I like the Devils to win this one on the road.
My best bet: Devils moneyline (+120 at BetMGM)
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Devils vs Panthers moneyline analysis
Playing on the road isn’t a factor that scares the Devils. They are skating to an 11-2-1 record as the away team and only two of their six losses on this streak have been on the road.
The Devils have quite literally been the much better team of the two in nearly every single categorical statistic, whether that's offense, defense, special teams, or goaltending, they have the edge in all of them.
The goal-scoring is going to come because the Devils are still driving the play, dictating the pace, and generating tons of scoring chances. The Panthers also do a fine job of generating scoring chances, but the Devils have a much stronger blue line.
I don’t have a ton of confidence in Sergei Bobrovsky. He hasn’t looked all that bad lately, but this season as a whole hasn’t been pretty for him.
The Devils always get a ton of fans when they are in Florida so the momentum won’t be in the Panthers' favor. Give me the Devils.
Devils vs Panthers Over/Under analysis
This matchup features two of the top teams at driving offensive play and even if the production hasn’t been there all that much, you know the chances are going to come tonight.
The Devils and Panthers literally have the highest expected goals per 60 minutes in the NHL, the Panthers are No. 1 with a 3.68 xGF/60 and the Devils are No. 2 at 3.66 xGF/60.
Florida hasn't been very strong in its own end as of late, allowing 13 goals in its last three games and as for the Devils, they have allowed 10 goals in their last three games.
I expected Sergei Bobrovsky and whichever netminder starts for the Devils tonight to be absolutely peppered with shots and I see this game having a ton of goals scored with both high-powered offenses.
Devils vs Panthers betting trend to know
The road team is 5-2 in the last seven meetings between these two teams. Find more NHL betting trends for Devils vs Panthers.
Devils vs Panthers game info
| Location: | FLA Live Arena, City, Sunrise, FL |
| Date: | Wednesday, December 21, 2022 |
| Puck drop: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TNT |
