New Jersey Devils vs Colorado Avalanche Picks and Predictions December 8th 2024

New Jersey Devils vs Colorado Avalanche December 8th 2024

Making on a bet on this NHL game featuring the Avalanche versus the Devils? The puck drops at 7:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on ESPN+. The game will be played at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. This non-conference matchup has an over/under of 6.5 goals, and the Devils are favored by -1.5 against the Avalanche.

Colorado vs. New Jersey Key Information

• Teams: Avalanche at Devils
• Where: Prudential Center Newark
• Date: Sunday, December 8th
• Betting Odds NJ -161 | COL +136 O/U 6.5

The Avalanche Can Win If…

With a 5-2 loss to the Predators, the Avalanche’s record now stands at 15-13-0. Colorado was the underdog on the puck line, and the total of 7 goals surpassed the pre-game line of 6.5.

The Avalanche took an early lead with a goal at 17:06 in the second period, but the Predators responded with five unanswered goals. Both of Colorado’s goals came from different players in this one.

Cale Makar opened the scoring for the Avalanche with a power-play goal, his 5th of the season. Nathan MacKinnon added his 6th goal, which came at 2:17 in the third period. MacKinnon also picked up his 14th assist on Makar’s goal, while Makar recorded his 16th assist on MacKinnon’s.

Despite taking 30 shots on goal, Colorado only found the net twice. The Avalanche struggled with giveaways, tallying 23 in the game.

Defensively, Colorado will look to bounce back after giving up five goals to Nashville. The Avalanche took a 1-0 lead early in the 2nd period, but they allowed five of the game’s final six goals, including two empty-netters. Justus Annunen finished with a save percentage of 87.5% on 24 shots from the Predators.

• The Avalanche have posted a 2-1 record in their previous three games. Against the spread, they have gone 0-3 and logged an over-under record of 2-1 in these games.
• Across Colorado’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 6-4. In these contests, the team went just 1-9 against the spread, while going 5-5 on the over-under.

The Devils Can Win If…

New Jersey’s latest defeat came in a 3-0 road loss to the Flames, dropping the Devils to 18-9-2 this season. The game was scoreless until the third period, when Calgary scored all three goals.

The Devils were -1.5 goal favorites going into the game, failing to cover the puck line. The total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined score of 3 fell well short of that.

The Devils were shut out in their 3-0 loss to the Flames, taking 22 shots on goal but failing to find the net. They ended the game with 19 giveaways.

New Jersey went scoreless through all three periods, including a 0-0 tie after the second. The Devils were unable to capitalize on any power plays.

Defensively, the Devils held their own for most of the game, but things fell apart late, as they gave up three goals in the 3rd period. The first came at 14:26, followed by another at 16:45, and an empty-netter at 18:45. New Jersey’s defense finished with 5 takeaways and 22 hits.

• The Devils have posted a 2-1 record in their previous three games. Against the spread, they have gone 1-2 and logged an over-under record of 1-2 in these games.
• Across New Jersey’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 7-3. Against the spread, New Jersey went 4-6 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 4-5-1.

The Lean

When it comes to a moneyline wager, I’m going with the Devils to defeat the Avalanche while playing at home. Given the current moneyline odds at -161, I’m placing a wager on the Devils to win outright.

When it comes to a puck line pick, our choice is the Devils to secure the win and cover. Expect the Devils to dominate this one with a multi-goal win over the Avalanche.

If you’re looking at the the over/under line set at 6.5 goals, our prediction is that this game will stay below that threshold, and we strongly suggest placing a bet on the under.

Avalanche: Building Momentum on the Road

The Colorado Avalanche (16-10-2) are finding their rhythm as they continue a five-game road trip. They’re coming off a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night, with Alexandar Georgiev delivering a stellar 29-save performance.

Cole Makar and Valeri Nichushkin provided the scoring for Colorado, which snapped a recent rough patch that included three losses in four games.

“He was outstanding,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said of Georgiev. “(He made) key saves to keep it 1-0, key saves to keep it 2-1, and then the flurry at the end.”

Nichushkin, who has three goals in his past two games, continues to elevate his game, adding a dynamic presence to Colorado’s offense.

Key Players for Colorado

• Cole Makar: The star defenseman ended an eight-game goal drought and remains a critical two-way force for the Avalanche.
• Valeri Nichushkin: With six goals in just a few weeks since his return, Nichushkin has become a game-changer for Colorado.
• Scott Wedgewood: Expected to start in net, Wedgewood boasts an impressive track record against the Devils, including a perfect 3-0-0 record with a .958 save percentage.

The return of Ross Colton, who missed 17 games due to a broken foot, adds depth to the Avalanche lineup as they seek to maintain their momentum.

Devils: Riding High at Home

The New Jersey Devils (17-7-3) opened their five-game homestand with a gritty 3-2 win over the Seattle Kraken on Friday night. Jesper Bratt and Jack Hughes continued their torrid offensive pace, while Luke Hughes netted his first goal of the season.

“We found a way,” said forward Timo Meier, who also scored in the win. “Maybe a puck bounced our way, but you got to earn those sometimes.”

New Jersey has been one of the league’s hottest teams, winning six of their last eight games. They’ve leaned on their dynamic offense, led by Bratt and Jack Hughes, who have combined for 19 points over the past four games.

Key Players for New Jersey

• Jesper Bratt: With nine points in his past four games, Bratt continues to pace the Devils’ attack with timely goals and assists.
• Jack Hughes: The team’s engine, Hughes is riding a four-game point streak with 10 points (three goals, seven assists).
• Luke Hughes: The rookie defenseman broke through with his first goal of the season, assisted by his brother Jack.

The Devils also welcomed Tomas Tatar back into the lineup after a two-game absence, adding another layer of experience to their forward group.

Key Matchups to Watch

• Makar vs. Hughes Brothers: The elite defenseman will face off against the dynamic duo of Jack and Luke Hughes in a battle of skill and creativity.
• Wedgewood vs. Devils’ Offense: With Wedgewood’s strong history against New Jersey, the Devils must find ways to crack his confidence early.
• Nichushkin vs. Devils’ Defense: Nichushkin’s physicality and scoring touch will test New Jersey’s defensive discipline.

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What’s at Stake?

For the Avalanche, Sunday’s game is an opportunity to string together consecutive wins on the road and solidify their place in the Western Conference playoff picture. The return of key players and consistent goaltending are critical factors as they face a dangerous Devils team.

For New Jersey, extending their home dominance and building on their recent success is paramount. A win would maintain their strong position in the Eastern Conference and validate their ability to compete with top-tier teams like Colorado.

With both teams finding their form, this matchup promises to be a showcase of speed, skill, and resilience. Fans can expect a thrilling contest between two of the NHL’s most talented rosters.