New Jersey Devils vs Anaheim Ducks Picks and Predictions October 27th 2024

Making on a bet on this NHL game featuring the Ducks 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. The over/under for this non-conference contest is set at 6.5 goals, with the Devils being the favored by -1.5 goals against the Ducks.

Anaheim vs. New Jersey Key Information

• Teams: Ducks at Devils
• Where: Prudential Center Newark
• Date: Sunday, October 27th
• Betting Odds NJ -339 | ANA +271 O/U 6.5

The Ducks Can Win If…

Following a 2-1 loss to the Rangers, the Ducks are now 3-3-1 this season. The game’s total of 3 goals fell short of the 6.5 set by oddsmakers, and Anaheim, as the underdog on the puck line, failed to cover.

All the scoring happened in the third period, with the Rangers striking first at 15:47. They added another goal before the Ducks’ Olen Zellweger scored at 7:22, cutting the deficit to one.

Anaheim’s offense was held to just one goal in their 2-1 loss to the Rangers. Olen Zellweger found the net for the first time this season, scoring 12:38 into the third period. The Ducks recorded 33 shots on goal but were unable to capitalize on any of their 16 giveaways.

Leo Carlsson and Troy Terry each picked up their second assists of the season on Zellweger’s goal. After two scoreless periods, the Ducks finally got on the board with 7:22 remaining in the game.

Defensively, the Ducks held the Rangers scoreless through the first two periods, but they gave up two goals in the third—at the 15:47 and 8:07 marks. Lukas Dostal made 30 saves with a 93.8% save percentage. Anaheim’s defense also contributed 8 takeaways and 19 hits.

• Over their last three regular season games, the Ducks have gone 1-2 straight up. Against the spread, they have a strong mark of 2-1 along with an over-under record of 0-3.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Ducks have gone 4-6 straight up. Their record vs the puck line sits at 6-4 in these matchups, while posting a 3-7 over-under mark.

The Devils Can Win If…

New Jersey’s record dropped to 5-5-2 after a 4-3 road loss to the Islanders. The Devils were favored on the puck line, but failed to cover. The total was set at 6 goals, and the combined 7 goals pushed it over the line.

The Islanders scored first, just 1:23 into the game. New Jersey tied it up at 1-1 with a goal from Nico Hischier, but the Islanders pulled ahead again and never looked back.

Nico Hischier netted his 8th goal of the season, while Curtis Lazar added his 2nd in the Devils’ 4-3 loss to the Islanders. Jesper Bratt, who now has 2 goals this season, scored the team’s final goal, which came at the 1:29 mark in the 3rd period.

New Jersey took 35 shots on goal but struggled with giveaways, committing 15. Bratt also recorded his 9th assist on Hischier’s first-period goal.

The Devils’ defense will look to bounce back after allowing four goals to the Islanders, including the game-winner just 1:09 into overtime. Jake Allen made 26 saves with a save percentage of 86.7%. New Jersey’s defense added 8 takeaways and 27 hits.

• New Jersey has put together a record of 0-3 in their last three games (regular season). In these contests, the team went just 0-3 against the spread, while going 3-0 on the over-under.
• Across New Jersey’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 4-6. Their record vs the puck line sits at 4-6 in these matchups, while posting a 5-4-1 over-under mark.

The Lean

If you’re looking for a straight moneyline bet, then the Devils are the way to go. However, with a payout of -339, you might consider using this bet as a leg of a parlay.

If you’re looking for my recommendation on the puck line, I suggest taking the Ducks to cover. Even if the Devils manage to win outright, this game is expected to remain competitive, and the Ducks should cover the puck line.

When considering the over/under line, which is currently at 6.5 goals, we believe that this game will go over that threshold, and we recommend wagering on the over.

New Jersey Devils and Anaheim Ducks Look to Bounce Back in Sunday Night Showdown

The New Jersey Devils and Anaheim Ducks are both looking to find their footing in the early NHL season. Sunday night’s game in Newark brings together two teams that have shown glimpses of potential but are grappling with early challenges. Each side hopes to snap recent one-goal losses and rediscover some momentum as they battle fatigue, offensive inconsistency, and defensive lapses.

Devils’ Early Season Fatigue and Defensive Struggles

A Season Packed with Games

The Devils have faced a daunting start, leading the league in games played at 11. This packed schedule has clearly taken a toll, especially on the defensive side. After a promising 5-2-0 start, New Jersey has hit a rough patch, dropping four straight games and allowing four or more goals in each loss. The fatigue was evident in Friday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the New York Islanders, where they trailed three times but managed to claw their way back to force extra time.

Coach Sheldon Keefe commented on the challenge of keeping up the pace, acknowledging, “The league is hard. (Friday) was our ninth game in the last 16 days. It’s a tough schedule.” The team’s heavy game load has left little time for rest or practice, leading to lapses on defense that have cost them points.

A Resilient but Tired Offense

Despite the defensive issues, New Jersey’s offense has shown resilience, repeatedly fighting back in games. However, they’ll need the defense to tighten up if they want to convert these efforts into wins. With such a relentless schedule, the Devils are aiming for consistency and fresh legs on the ice to break their losing streak.

Ducks’ Offensive Struggles Amidst Road Challenges

Scoring Drought and Defensive Improvements

The Ducks have been struggling to find the back of the net, scoring three or fewer goals in six of their first seven games. While they’ve shown signs of defensive improvement, their offense has yet to click. In Saturday’s 2-1 loss to the New York Rangers, Anaheim kept the game close, thanks to a stellar performance from goalie Lukas Dostal, who held off the Rangers’ offense until early in the third period.

Coach Greg Cronin acknowledged the Ducks’ offensive struggles, emphasizing, “We’re just having a hard time scoring goals right now. We need some blue-collar goals, some dirty goals that we’re pressing for but not finishing.” Anaheim’s quest for scoring success continues as they adjust to a lengthy road trip against tough Metropolitan Division teams.

A Gritty Road Test for Anaheim

Anaheim has played just three games at home so far, spending much of the early season on the road. The Ducks are in the midst of a four-game road trip, which has been a test of their stamina and consistency. If they hope to reverse their fortunes, they’ll need a more aggressive push to put the Devils’ defense on its heels and take advantage of New Jersey’s fatigue.

Key Factors to Watch in Sunday’s Game

Devils’ Defensive Tightening

The Devils’ defense has been the weak link during their recent skid. Tightening up on the back end and limiting high-quality chances will be critical, especially given their recent tendency to concede multiple goals per game. If New Jersey’s blue line can give their goaltenders better protection, it may tip the scales in their favor.

Ducks’ Push for Gritty Goals

The Ducks are searching for solutions on offense, and Coach Cronin’s call for gritty, “blue-collar” goals could be the key. Anaheim has struggled to generate high-danger chances, but close-range shots and aggressive forechecking may give them the edge they need to disrupt the Devils’ defense.

Resilience and Stamina: A Test of Endurance

Both teams are feeling the wear and tear of demanding schedules, and their ability to sustain energy throughout the game could be a deciding factor. New Jersey’s packed schedule has tested their resilience, while Anaheim’s extended road trip has similarly challenged their stamina and consistency. The team that manages to maintain focus and avoid defensive lapses will likely come out on top.

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Outlook

Sunday’s matchup offers a clash between two teams with contrasting struggles: the Devils’ recent defensive lapses against the Ducks’ search for offense. For New Jersey, rediscovering their defensive rhythm is essential, while Anaheim will aim to break their scoring slump and capitalize on any gaps left by the Devils’ tired lineup. With both teams eager for a win, expect a determined, hard-fought game in Newark as each side seeks a fresh start.