The Penguins take on the Devils in a Metropolitan Division clash. Welcome back to NHL Predictions here on Last Word on Hockey! Each day, we provide in-depth analysis, insights, and predictions for all the NHL’s games. In today’s matchup, the Pittsburgh Penguins host the New Jersey Devils at PPG Paints Arena. Pittsburgh aims to continue their recent surge, while the Devils look to pad their point totals ahead in lieu of a playoff race.
NHL Predictions
New Jersey Devils vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Head-to-Head: Devils 2-0 Penguins
Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: ESPN+, Sportsnet+,
This is the third match-up between these teams this season. The Devils took the first two games by scores of 3-0 and 3-2 in their first two games.
The Penguins’ Story
The Pittsburgh Penguins are surging, having won three straight coming into this game. With their recent streak, the team has improved to 27-31-10. This record places them at seventh-last in league standings. With 14 games left in the season, Pittsburgh hopes to solidify their roster heading into next season, seeing what they may have in new additions like Connor Dewar and Conor Timmins.
The Crosby-Rakell-Rust line has continued to set the league ablaze. The trio produced two points a-piece in the Penguins’ win over the St. Louis Blues in their last game. With this recent run, Sidney Crosby has scored 72 points in 66 games, building a significant gap to ensure he completes his 20th straight point-per-game season. Rickard Rakell has scored 30 goals and 58 points in 67 games. His 30 goals represent his best goal-scoring season with the Penguins. Veteran Bryan Rust trails behind them with 49 points in 57 games. The Devils will look to shut-down this trio chasing victory.
The Devils’ Story
The New Jersey Devils, like the Penguins, come into this game having won three straight. With a 36-25-6 record, the Devils are third in the Metropolitan Division. With an eight point pad over the fourth place Columbus Blue Jackets, the Devils have built a good lead in the standings. Multiple core players are out with injury, meaning every point matters to ensure the Devils don’t slip from their position.
Among the group out with injury for the Devils, franchise star Jack Hughes is a significant loss. He had 70 points in 62 games prior to suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. Dougie Hamilton, who has scored 40 points in 63 games to lead Devils defencemen in scoring, is also out for the regular season and the first round of the playoffs. With these losses, players like Jesper Bratt and Nico Hischier will have to carry the brunt of the offence against the Penguins. New Jersey is a deep team with a lot of depth, so expect options like Luke Hughes and Dawson Mercer to get elevated ice-time and chances against Pittsburgh.
NHL Prediction
While both teams are on three-game win streaks, the Devils have a far deeper team. Even without players like Hughes and Hamilton, the Devils keep trucking on. Expect a tight game from the Sheldon Keefe-led Devils to improve to four straight wins.
NHL Prediction: Devils win 3-1.
Prop Bet for the Night
Total Goals Over 3 (-6000): Expect a low-scoring game like the past two between these teams.
Main Photo: Charles LeClaire- Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions: March 15 New Jersey Devils at Pittsburgh Penguins appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.