Chicago Blackhawks vs New Jersey Devils Prediction, 1/5/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Chicago Blackhawks vs New Jersey Devils

Date: Friday, January 5, 2024

Location: Prudential Center in Newark, NJ

TV: MSG+

Odds/Point Spread: Blackhawks (+285) Devils (-375)

Prudential Center is where the New Jersey Devils (20-14-2) will take on the Chicago Blackhawks (11-24-2) on Friday. The odds on this game have Chicago at +285 while New Jersey is opening at -375. The total is 7.

The Chicago Blackhawks will look for better times on the ice after their 3-0 defeat to the Predators in their previous game. The Blackhawks had an offensive game that was below their expectations in the loss. In the game, they went home without being able to finish on any of the 21 shots they tried. In addition, they had 3 chances with extra men on the ice but didn't get a goal. Chicago amassed 13 penalty minutes for this game.

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When it comes to their goal scoring prowess, the Chicago Blackhawks have earned 87 goals (30th in the National Hockey League) on the year and have conceded 139. For the year, they sit with 24 points and their points percentage is .324. Chicago has accounted for 115 power play opportunities and they have added 15 goals out of those tries, garnering them a rate of 13.04%. While at even strength, the Blackhawks have allowed the opponent to score 108 goals while notching 72 themselves. Chicago has taken 979 shots and has a shot percentage of 8.9%. The Blackhawks so far have had 1,229 shots taken against them and have earned a save percentage of .887. Chicago Blackhawks opponents have 119 power play tries (11th in the NHL) and have notched 31 goals in those attempts.

The player in the crease for this game is Petr Mrazek. Opponents have been able to score 929 goals versus Mrazek in his career and his average for goals against per game is 2.79. Mrazek has been involved in 358 contests throughout his professional hockey career. His save percentage currently sits at .907 in his 19,971 mins played. He has a win-loss record of 159-136-35 and he has started in 328 games. Over the course of his career, Mrazek has recorded 167 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is at .509. Mrazek has seen 9,987 shots against him and has recorded 9,058 total saves.

In their last contest, New Jersey played the Capitals in a matchup where the Devils got the win by a tally of 6-3. They had 2 opportunities on the power play in this one and converted 1 out of those chances. The Devils had 6 goals out of the 28 shots on goal they attempted.

On the season, the New Jersey Devils have earned a total of 127 goals, 42 points, in addition to a points percentage of .583. They have permitted 127 goals to be scored by of a combination of 100 goals at even strength and 27 goals while they were shorthanded. The Devils have racked up 93 goals at even strength and 34 goals (5th in the league) while on the power play. They have earned 111 chances on the power play and they have earned a power play rate of 30.63%. New Jersey has put up 1,140 shots (14th in hockey) and has earned a shooting percentage of 11.14%, while allowing their opponents 1,051 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill rate of 76.72% on the other teams 116 power play chances, and their save percentage sits at 87.9%.

Across the ice you are likely to see Vitek Vanecek protecting the goal. Teams are averaging 2.70 goals per contest and he has surrendered 388 goals altogether. Vanecek's rate of quality starts comes out to 52.8% and he has 76 quality starts in his professional career. He has been a starter 144 games and has been on the ice for 8,621 minutes. Vanecek has accrued a career mark of 87-40-15 and has played in 154 games. He is sitting with 3,698 saves out of the 4,086 shots tried, which gives him a save percentage of .905.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Chicago (+285)

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