Pittsburgh Penguins at New Jersey Devils Betting Odds
Opening Moneyline: Pittsburgh +120 / New Jersey -140 O/U 5.5 goals
Time: 7 PM EST Friday March 12, 2010 on RDS
Tonight in the Garden State the New Jersey Devils host the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Devils led the Atlantic Division for most of the season, but they have lost 14 of their last 21 games and now trail the Penguins by 4 points. They still look like they will host a 1st round playoff series, as they are tied with Buffalo for the 3rd spot in the Eastern Conference.
Pittsburgh lost last night, which was their first loss since the Olympic break. The Penguins are 5-1-4 in their last 10 games, but have not been successful against the Devils this season losing all 4 contests.
This season the Devils are 21-9-1 at home and the Penguins are 19-12-2 on the road.
In their last games the Penguins lost to the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 last night while the Devils beat the New York Rangers 6-3 on Wednesday night.
The Devils have to win this game with their solid defense, as their offense only ranks 21st in the league in scoring.
Much of the Devils' defensive responsibility will fall on workhorse G Martin Brodeur (36 wins 2.38 GAA save percentage 91.2%). He has been stellar against the Penguins this season being between the pipes in all 4 wins against them and only allowing a total of 2 goals.
The Penguins have a high-scoring offense ranking 5th in the league in scoring (3.09 goals per game). They are led by Olympic hero Sidney Crosby, who ranks 2nd in the league in goals (44) and 3rd in points (85). He is on a tear with 11 goals and 6 assists in his last 11 games, but he has yet to score a goal against the Devils this season.
Pittsburgh relies on their offense to win, as their defense is mediocre, at best, allowing an average of 2.85 goals per game. G Marc-Andre Fleury (31 wins 2.67 GAA save percentage 90.6%) has been streaky this season, but at least he does not have to face a dynamic offense tonight.
Zach Parise, who leads the Devils in goals (31) and points (67), and Jamie Langenbrunner, who leads the Devils in assists (40), have to provide the offense for New Jersey in tonight's game.
New Jersey is 0-8 in their last 8 games following a win, has an Over record of 5-1 in their last 6 games, and has an Over record of 4-1-1 in their last 6 home games.
Pittsburgh is 4-1 in their last 5 games and has an Over record of 5-0 in their last 5 road games.
In the last 4 games in New Jersey between these 2 teams the total has gone Under 4 times.
Our Selection : Martin Brodeur has the the Penguins number so far this year winning all 4 contests and only allowing a total of 2 goals in those games. In the last 4 games in New Jersey between these 2 teams the total has gone Under all 4 times. We don't see any reason for that to change tonight. Look for both teams to tighten up on D tonight, which should keep this game well below the posted total. Take Under 5.5 goals.
Future Betting Odds
NHL Handicapping
Tampa Bay Lightning at Boston Bruins 5-17
The Boston Bruins need to play much better in game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Bruins lost the opener 5-2 at home and can ill-afford to fall behind 2-0 to Lightning. Tampa Bay are on quite a roll, winning their last eight in a row in the playoffs. The oddsmaker at Bodog have the Bruins as a -145 favorite to even-up the series.