New Jersey Devils vs Washington Capitals Prediction, 3/9/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: New Jersey Devils vs Washington Capitals

Date: Thursday, March 9, 2023

Location: Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

TV: NBC Sports Washington

Odds/Point Spread: Devils (-154) Capitals (+130)

Capital One Arena is the location where the Washington Capitals (31-28-6) will take on the New Jersey Devils (41-16-6) on Thursday. The moneyline on this game has the Devils at -154 while the Capitals are sitting at +130. The total is set at 7.

The New Jersey Devils will look for better times on the ice after their 4-3 loss to the Maple Leafs their last time on the ice. New Jersey accounted for 4 minutes in the box in this game. The Devils played like an average offensive team in the defeat. Moreover, they had 4 chances with extra men on the ice and were able to net 1 goal. In the matchup, they scored on 3 of the 33 shots they tried.

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With respect to scoring goals, the New Jersey Devils have notched 225 goals (4th in the NHL) over the course of the season and have conceded 171. For the current campaign, they have 88 points and their points percentage is sitting at .698. New Jersey steps onto the ice with 180 power play chances and they have tallied 39 goals during those chances, garnering them a percentage of 21.67%. When playing at even strength, the Devils have allowed 137 goals while scoring 186 themselves. New Jersey has attempted 2,174 shots and has a shot percentage of 10.4%. The Devils have had 1,781 shots tried against them and have a save percentage of .904. New Jersey Devils opponents have 184 power play tries (26th in the NHL) and have scored 34 goals in those attempts.

The man protecting the goal in this game is Vitek Vanecek. Vanecek has participated in 120 matchups during his hockey career. He has amassed a record of 68-29-13 and was named the starter in 113 games. The opposition has racked up 295 goals versus Vanecek in his NHL career and his goals against rate is 2.63. Vanecek has seen 3,189 shot attempts against him and has garnered 2,894 total saves. His save percentage is .907 during his 6,718 minutes played. Over the course of his pro career, Vanecek has accounted for 60 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .531.

When they were on the ice last, Washington faced the Kings in a game where the Capitals ended up taking the loss by a final score of 4-2. They had 5 power play opportunities in this one and scored 1 out of those chances. The Capitals netted 2 goals of the 22 shots on goal they tried.

The Capitals have scored 158 goals at even strength and 42 goals (18th in professional hockey) while having more men on the ice. Washington has taken 2,043 shots (14th in pro hockey) and has a shot percentage of 9.79%, while allowing the other team 1,974 shots. For the year, the Washington Capitals have a total of 200 goals, 68 points, as well as a points percentage of .523. They have allowed 194 goals to be scored by way of 163 goals at even strength and 31 goals while they were shorthanded. They have a total of 199 power play opportunities and they have earned a power play percentage of 21.11%. They have a penalty kill rate of 82.68% on the other teams 179 power play tries, and their save percentage comes in at 90.2%.

On the other side of the ice you are likely to see Darcy Kuemper protecting the goal. Teams are averaging 2.52 goals per contest and he has surrendered 813 goals altogether. Kuemper's quality start percentage comes out to 55.8% and he has 182 quality starts in his NHL career. He was named a starter in 326 games and has accumulated 19,343 minutes. Kuemper has accumulated a career record of 162-115-40 and has played in 343 games. He has gathered 8,955 saves out of the 9,768 shots attempted, giving him a save % of .917.

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

Josh's Pick: Take New Jersey (-154)

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