New Jersey Devils vs Chicago Blackhawks Picks and Predictions December 14th 2024

New Jersey Devils vs Chicago Blackhawks December 14th 2024

Don’t miss out on the NHL showdown between the Blackhawks and Devils. The game is starting at 1:00 ET on NHLN, and it’s hosted by the Devils at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. Get ready to place your bets! The over/under for this non-conference contest is set at 6 goals, with the Devils being the favored by -1.5 goals against the Blackhawks.

Chicago vs. New Jersey Key Information

Chicago picked up their ninth win of the season, defeating the Ducks 4-2. Entering the game as underdogs, the Blackhawks not only won but also covered the puck line. The total was set at 6.5 goals, and the combined 6 goals fell just short of that mark, bringing Chicago’s record to 9-18-2.

All four of Chicago’s goals came from different players, and they held the Ducks scoreless until the third period. Isaak Phillips opened the scoring at 7:03 in the first period.

Chicago’s offense produced 4 goals on 29 shots in their 4-2 win over Anaheim. Ryan Donato netted his 7th goal of the season, while Seth Jones added his 2nd. Isaak Phillips and Teuvo Teravainen also found the net, with Teravainen’s 4th goal coming on a power play.

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Connor Bedard contributed with two assists, bringing his season total to 9. Taylor Hall picked up his 4th assist on Teravainen’s power-play goal. The Blackhawks scored twice in the 1st period, added another in the 2nd, and finished with their 4th goal at 17:43 of the 3rd period.

On the defensive side, Arvid Söderblom made 38 saves with a 95% save percentage, helping the Blackhawks to a 4-2 win. The defense also had 6 takeaways and 5 hits. Both goals allowed came in the 3rd period, with the second coming with just 4 seconds left.

New Jersey fell to 19-10-3 after a 3-0 loss to the Flames. The game was scoreless through two periods, but the Devils gave up three goals in the third.

New Jersey, favored by -1.5 goals, failed to cover the puck line. The total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined score reached only 3.

The Devils’ offense struggled in their 3-0 loss to the Flames, failing to score on 22 shots on goal. They were held scoreless in all three periods, including the final one where Calgary netted three times.

New Jersey had 19 giveaways and didn’t register any assists. They also came up empty on power play opportunities.

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Defensively, the Devils were solid through two periods, keeping the score at 0-0. However, they allowed three goals in the 3rd, including an empty netter. Jacob Markstrom made 29 saves with a 93.5% save percentage, and the defense added 5 takeaways and 22 hits.

When thinking about a moneyline wager in this game, our evaluation indicates that the Devils will take down the Blackhawks. Nonetheless, given the current odds of -353, I’d recommend getting bet down on the puck line instead, as our predictions point to the Devils winning by more than one goal.

When making a puck line pick, we’re backing the Devils to win and cover. Watch for the Devils to win this game by multiple goals over the Blackhawks.

When considering the over/under line, which is currently at 6 goals, we believe that this game will go over that threshold, and we recommend wagering on the over.

Blackhawks Aim to Rebound Against Devils in Newark

The Chicago Blackhawks hope to bounce back and close their road trip on a high note as they face the New Jersey Devils on Saturday afternoon in Newark, N.J. Both teams will look to build on contrasting performances from their last outings, with Chicago focusing on lessons learned from a mixed effort and New Jersey seeking to sustain momentum.

Blackhawks Seek Consistency

Chicago’s recent struggles continued Thursday night in a 5-4 loss to the New York Islanders, despite a spirited late comeback. The Blackhawks fell behind 5-1 in the third period but scored three unanswered goals, including two from Tyler Bertuzzi in the final 70 seconds. The rally showcased Chicago’s resilience but also highlighted its recurring issue of losing leads or falling behind early in games.

The Blackhawks have been outscored 39-21 in third periods this season and have lost 11 games after scoring the opening goal.

“We did some good things, but the mental lapses we had there in the second and third, that’s something we have to clean up,” interim head coach Anders Sorensen said. “It’s just a matter of working through it.”

Despite losing six of their last seven games, the Blackhawks continue to show flashes of offensive potential, particularly late in games. Maintaining that intensity throughout all three periods will be key against a Devils team known for their strong forechecking and puck control.

Devils Rediscover Winning Formula

The New Jersey Devils broke out of a two-game skid Thursday night, earning a 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. The win was a testament to the Devils’ persistence, as they battled back from a 1-0 deficit with three unanswered goals.

New Jersey had been frustrated in prior losses to the Colorado Avalanche and Toronto Maple Leafs, where they outshot their opponents 64-41 but were outscored 6-1. That frustration turned into determination against the Kings, as the Devils focused on defensive responsibility and capitalized on key scoring opportunities.

“The more you do good things and good habits, things fall your way,” Devils coach Sheldon Keefe said. “Our team’s defending and playing the right way without getting discouraged by not scoring. That’s winning hockey.”

New Jersey’s top line of Ondrej Palat and Jack Hughes played a pivotal role against Los Angeles, combining for five points (two goals, three assists). Hughes, in particular, remains a vital offensive catalyst, creating chances and anchoring the Devils’ attack.

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Key Matchups

• Chicago’s Offense vs. New Jersey’s Defense: The Blackhawks’ late-game offensive push against the Islanders will be tested by a disciplined Devils defense that has limited quality scoring chances over the past two games.
• Jack Hughes vs. Chicago’s Blue Line: Hughes leads the Devils’ charge with his playmaking and scoring ability. The Blackhawks must find a way to contain him without sacrificing defensive structure.
• Goaltending Battle: Chicago’s netminders will need to hold firm early, especially as the Devils have been efficient at generating high-danger scoring opportunities.

What to Watch For

• Chicago’s Mental Toughness: Can the Blackhawks shake off their lapses and string together a complete 60-minute performance?
• New Jersey’s Momentum: After rediscovering their rhythm, will the Devils continue their defensive dominance and capitalize on their scoring chances?

Outlook

The Blackhawks have shown they can battle back but must avoid the mistakes that have plagued them in recent games. Meanwhile, the Devils aim to close out their homestand with a second consecutive win, buoyed by strong defensive play and the dynamic leadership of Jack Hughes.

Expect a competitive game as the Blackhawks look to find consistency and the Devils strive to stay in control on home ice.