New Jersey Devils vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction, 12/30/2022 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: New Jersey Devils vs Pittsburgh Penguins

Date: Friday, December 30, 2022

Location: PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA

TV: AT&T Sportsnet Pittsburgh

Odds/Point Spread: Devils (+117) Penguins (-141)

PPG Paints Arena is the location where the Pittsburgh Penguins (19-10-6) will try to beat the New Jersey Devils (22-11-2) on Friday. The odds on this game have New Jersey at +117 and Pittsburgh opens at -141. The total comes in at 7.

The New Jersey Devils will need a bounce back game after taking a 3-1 loss against the Bruins in their previous outing. The Devils had a below average offensive performance in this loss. In the game, they were able to notch a goal on 1 out of the 31 shots they put on net. Furthermore, they had 2 attempts on the power play but weren't able to convert one of them into a goal. New Jersey accrued 11 mins in the box in this outing.

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New Jersey Devils opponents have recorded 107 power play tries (20th in pro hockey) and have earned 20 goals in those chances. The Devils have seen 932 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .903. New Jersey has taken 1,230 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 9.4%. When at even strength, the Devils have conceded 70 goals while earning 95 of their own. New Jersey is sitting with 106 power play chances and they have notched 21 goals out of those attempts, garnering them a rate of 19.81%. For the season, the have a total of 46 points and their points % is .657. With regard to their scoring capabilities, the New Jersey Devils have accounted for 116 goals (12th in hockey) on the season and have surrendered 90.

The player protecting the goal in this game is Vitek Vanecek. Vanecek has participated in 102 games over the course of his NHL career. He has amassed an overall mark of 53-27-12 and he was named the starter in 95 games. The opposition has racked up 246 goals versus Vanecek in his professional career and his goals against average per contest is 2.62. Vanecek has seen 2,681 shot attempts taken against him and has accrued 2,435 saves. His save percentage sits at .908 during his 5,635 mins played. From the beginning of his pro career to now, Vanecek has compiled 49 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is at .516.

In their last game, Pittsburgh faced the Red Wings in an outing where the Penguins went home in defeat by a tally of 5-4. The Penguins tallied 4 goals of the 31 shots on goal they tried. They had 2 power play opportunities in this one and recorded 2 out of those opportunities.

Pittsburgh has taken 1,133 shots (12th in the league) and has a shooting percentage of 10.41%, while allowing the opposition 1,194 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill rate of 83.93% on the other teams 112 power play chances, and their save percentage sits at 91.2%. They have recorded 115 opportunities on the power play and they have a power play rate of 24.35%. The Penguins have earned 90 goals at even strength and 28 goals (11th in the NHL) while having a power play advantage. They have granted a total of 105 goals to be scored by of a combination of 87 goals at even strength and 18 goals while they were shorthanded. During this campaign, the Pittsburgh Penguins have earned 118 goals, 44 points, in addition to a points percentage of .629.

On the other side of the ice you will find Tristan Jarry in the crease. Jarry is sitting with a career mark of 108-51-17 and has played in 182 games. Jarry's rate of quality starts is 61.5% and he has qualified for 107 quality starts in his pro career. He has accounted for 4,898 stops out of 5,351 shots attempted against him, giving him a save percentage of .915. Teams are averaging 2.60 goals/game and he has surrendered 453 goals altogether. He has been a starter 174 contests and has racked up 10,457 minutes.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh's Pick: Take New Jersey (+117)

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