Tampa Bay Lightning vs New Jersey Devils Picks and Predictions November 16th 2024

After impressive win, Lightning look to continue momentum vs. Devils

Making on a bet on this NHL game featuring the Devils versus the Lightning? The puck drops at 7:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on ESPN+. The game will be played at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. The Devils are the -1.5 goal favorite in this Eastern conference matchup against Lightning. The over/under for the game is set at 6.5 goals.

New Jersey vs. Tampa Bay Key Information

• Teams: Devils at Lightning
• Where: Amalie Arena Tampa
• Date: Saturday, November 16th
• Betting Odds NJ -112 | TB -107 O/U 6.5

The Devils Can Win If…

New Jersey fell to 12-6-2 after a 3-0 road loss to the Flames. The Devils were favored on the puck line, and the total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined score of 3 fell short of that mark.

All three of Calgary’s goals came in the third period, with the final one being an empty-netter. The Devils struggled offensively, managing just 22 shots and committing 19 giveaways.

New Jersey’s offense was shut out in their 3-0 loss to Calgary. The Devils took 22 shots on goal but failed to find the back of the net. They were held scoreless in the first two periods and couldn’t break through in the third either.

New Jersey had 19 giveaways in the game. None of their players scored, and they didn’t record any assists.

New Jersey’s defense was solid through the first two periods, keeping the game scoreless, but they gave up three goals in the third, including an empty-netter. The first came at 14:26, followed by another at 16:45 and the final one at 16:45. The Devils’ defense finished with 5 takeaways and 22 hits.

• Through their last three games, the Devils have a record of 2-1. Against the spread, the team is 2-1 in these same games while going 1-2 on the over/under.
• Through their last ten regular season contests, New Jersey has a record of 7-3. Their record against the puck line in this stretch is 6-4 to go along with an over-under mark of 5-5.

The Lightning Can Win If…

Tampa Bay fell to 8-6-1 after a 7-4 loss to the Jets. The Lightning held a 2-0 lead early, but the defense couldn’t hold, allowing seven unanswered goals. The total for the game was set at 6.5 goals, and the combined 11 goals easily surpassed that mark. Tampa Bay was the underdog on the puck line.

Brandon Hagel got the Lightning on the board first, scoring at 13:11 in the first period. Tampa Bay extended their lead with a power-play goal by Brayden Point at 11:58 in the first. However, the Jets responded with their first goal at 7:37 in the first period and continued to score, eventually taking the lead for good with 12:22 left in the third period.

Brandon Hagel opened the scoring for the Lightning with his 7th goal of the season, followed by Brayden Point’s 8th, which came on a power play. Mitchell Chaffee added his 4th goal, while Nikita Kucherov netted his 10th in the third period.

The Lightning fired 30 shots on goal and recorded 8 giveaways. They scored twice in the first period, added another in the second, and their final goal came at the 13:09 mark of the third period.

Tampa Bay’s defense struggled in their previous game, giving up 7 goals on 32 shots from the Jets. Goalie Jonas Johansson made 27 saves but ended with a save percentage of 84.4%. The Lightning’s defense also recorded 6 takeaways and 16 hits. After tying the game at 4-4 in the 3rd period, they allowed three straight goals, including two empty-netters.

• Across Tampa Bay’s last three regular season games, their record sits at 1-2. Across these games, their puck line record was just 1-2, while posting an over-under record of 0-3.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Lightning have gone 5-5 straight up. Across these games, their puck line record was just 4-6, while posting an over-under record of 4-5-1.

The Lean

For a moneyline pick, I’m taking the Lightning to pick up on a win over the Devils at home. With the moneyline sitting at -107, I’ll be locking in a bet on the Lightning straight-up.

Our projections have the Lightning pulling out a win as the underdog. But if you’re not as bullish as we are on the Lightning, we’d recommend at least getting a bet down on them to 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.

Picks & Predictions from The Best Expert Hockey Handicappers

After Milestone Win, Lightning Aim to Keep Rolling Against Red-Hot Devils

For Tampa Bay Lightning star goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, achieving greatness comes with little time to rest. After clinching his 300th career win Thursday night against the league-leading Winnipeg Jets, the man known as “The Big Cat” sets his sights on career win No. 301 as the Lightning host the surging New Jersey Devils on Saturday night.

Tampa Bay’s Breakthrough Win Against Winnipeg

Tampa Bay snapped a frustrating four-game losing streak in dominant fashion by defeating the NHL’s hottest team, the Winnipeg Jets, 4-1. Winnipeg had been riding a seven-game winning streak, outscoring opponents 33-12 during that stretch. The Lightning’s penalty kill proved pivotal, shutting down the Jets’ league-best power play on five opportunities.

This impressive effort came despite the continued absence of Brayden Point, the Lightning’s top center, who missed his third consecutive game with a lower-body injury. Tampa Bay’s captain, Victor Hedman, moved into second place on the franchise’s all-time assist leaderboard with his 583rd helper, inching closer to Martin St. Louis’ record of 588.

Celebrating Player Milestones

Thursday’s game was a showcase of personal achievements for the Lightning. Anthony Cirelli notched his 100th career goal, while Brandon Hagel scored in his 200th game in a Tampa Bay uniform. However, the night belonged to Vasilevskiy, who became the fastest goaltender in NHL history to reach 300 career wins.

The 2019 Vezina Trophy winner reached the milestone in just 490 games, breaking Jacques Plante’s previous record by 31 games. Lightning head coach Jon Cooper praised his star goaltender, saying:

“To do what he’s done and get 300 wins in the time he accomplished that, along the way winning the Vezina and two Stanley Cups and participating in four Finals, I’m not sure what else you could say about the man.”

New Jersey Devils on a Hot Streak

While Tampa Bay rediscovered its winning ways, the New Jersey Devils are coming into Saturday’s game with their own momentum. The Devils have won five of their past six games, including a successful back-to-back road sweep of the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.

In Tuesday’s 4-1 victory, former Panthers draft pick Jacob Markstrom starred in goal, stopping 34 shots. Jesper Bratt shone even brighter in Thursday’s 6-2 win, recording his second career hat trick after contributing two assists in the previous game.

Reflecting on the team’s progression, Bratt said:

“We won the (first game) by playing really, really good defensively and capitalized on our chances. Tonight, we took a little more command of the game offensively. We’re building character and confidence as a group.”

Head-to-Head History Favors Tampa Bay

The Lightning and Devils last met on October 22, with Tampa Bay coming out on top in an 8-5 shootout in New Jersey. Historically, the Lightning have dominated this matchup, winning eight of the past nine games between the teams.

The Devils will be looking to flip the script Saturday, but Tampa Bay has proven resilient, especially on home ice. The teams will face off once more this season on January 11 in New Jersey.

What to Watch For in Saturday’s Matchup

• Tampa Bay’s Defense Without Brayden Point: The Lightning showed discipline in their penalty kill against Winnipeg. Can they repeat that success against a Devils team riding an offensive wave?
• Jesper Bratt’s Scoring Streak: Bratt has been a catalyst for New Jersey, and stopping him will be key for Tampa Bay.
• Andrei Vasilevskiy’s Momentum: Coming off his historic milestone, Vasilevskiy will aim to stifle a Devils offense that thrives on quick starts.

Game Prediction

Tampa Bay’s recent resurgence and home-ice advantage give them the edge, but the Devils’ road prowess makes this a must-watch clash. Expect an intense, high-energy contest as both teams aim to solidify their positions in a competitive NHL landscape.

Don’t Miss a Minute!
Catch the Lightning and Devils as two powerhouse teams collide Saturday night in Tampa. The game promises to showcase the best of both squads, from Vasilevskiy’s goaltending mastery to Bratt’s offensive explosiveness.