Pittsburgh Penguins vs New Jersey Devils Picks and Predictions March 15th 2025

Pittsburgh Penguins vs New Jersey Devils March 15th 2025

Betting on today’s Devils and Penguins game? Catch the action at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA, as the Penguins hosts this showdown at 3:00 ET on ABC. The Devils are favored by -1.5 in this Metropolitan division showdown. The game’s over/under is currently at 5.5 goals.

New Jersey vs. Pittsburgh Key Information

• Teams: Devils at Penguins
• Where: PPG Paints Arena Pittsburgh
• Date: Saturday, March 15th
• Betting Odds NJ -141 | PIT +119 O/U 5.5

The Devils Can Win If…

New Jersey fell to 36-25-6 after a 3-0 loss to the Flames. The Devils were favored on the puck line, but failed to cover. The total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined score of 3 fell short of that mark.

Both teams were scoreless until the third period, when the Flames broke the tie at 5:34. They added two more goals, including an empty-netter, to seal the win.

The Devils were shut out in their latest game, managing 22 shots on goal but failing to find the back of the net. They recorded 19 giveaways and were unable to capitalize on any power play opportunities.

New Jersey went scoreless through all three periods, marking the first time this season they were held without a goal. The team was coming off a 5-2 win over the Canadiens in their previous outing.

Defensively, the Devils had a strong start, keeping the game scoreless through two periods. However, they gave up three goals in the third period, including an empty-netter. New Jersey’s defense finished with 5 takeaways and 22 hits.

• The Devils have posted a 3-0 record in their previous three games. In these games, they have a 3-0 record vs the puck line and an over-under mark of 1-2.
• New Jersey has put together a record of 5-5 in their last ten games (regular season). In these contests, the team went just 6-4 against the spread, while going 5-5 on the over-under.

The Penguins Can Win If…

Pittsburgh improved to 27-31-10 with a 3-1 road win over the Canadiens. The Penguins, favored by -1.5 goals, covered the puck line. The total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined score of 4 fell short of that mark.

Sidney Crosby scored twice for the Penguins, who kept Montreal off the board until the third period. Blake Lizotte added an empty-net goal to seal the win.

Sidney Crosby led the way for the Penguins with two goals, including his fourth of the season just 4:03 into the first period and his fifth on a power play at 1:20 in the second period. Blake Lizotte added an empty-netter, his second goal of the year, with 45 seconds left in the game.

Pittsburgh took 24 shots on goal and recorded 14 giveaways. The Penguins scored their first goal at 4:03 in the first period, followed by a power-play goal at 1:20 in the second period. They capped off their scoring with an empty-net goal at 19:15 in the third period.

Alex Nedeljkovic made 25 saves with a 96.2% save percentage, helping the Penguins to a 3-1 win over the Canadiens. The Penguins’ defense also contributed 5 takeaways and 19 hits. The only goal they allowed came at 5:32 in the 3rd period.

• Spanning across their last three games, Pittsburgh have gone 3-0. This also includes going 3-0 puck line and an over-under mark of 1-2.
• Pittsburgh has put together a record of 4-6 in their last ten games (regular season). Their record vs the puck line sits at 4-6 in these matchups, while posting a 5-5 over-under mark.

The Lean

For a moneyline pick, I’m taking the Penguins to pick up on a win over the Devils at home. With the moneyline sitting at +119, I’ll be locking in a bet on the Penguins straight-up.

If you’re looking to get a bet down on this matchup, we foresee the Penguins winning the underdog. However, if you’re not as confident in the Penguins straight-up, we’d still recommend placing a bet on them to cover the puck line.

When considering the over/under line, which is currently at 5.5 goals, we believe that this game will go over that threshold, and we recommend wagering on the over.

Division Rivals Look to Extend Winning Streaks

Two teams riding identical three-game winning streaks clash Saturday afternoon, as the Pittsburgh Penguins host the New Jersey Devils in a critical Metropolitan Division matchup. Both teams carry significant momentum into this contest, and each is eager to extend its streak to four games, intensifying the battle for playoff positioning. With the Devils holding third place in the division and Pittsburgh aiming to climb further up the standings, bettors looking for an edge should closely consider this rivalry when making their NHL Expert Picks.

Devils Finding Success Despite Key Injuries

The New Jersey Devils (38-25-6) arrive in Pittsburgh fresh off an impressive 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday. Forward Jesper Bratt has powered the Devils’ recent surge, scoring once and adding two assists against Edmonton, bringing his total to six points (two goals, four assists) in the last two games. Bratt now leads the Devils with 76 points (19 goals, 57 assists) in 67 games, demonstrating his critical role in New Jersey’s balanced attack.

Despite recent injuries to key figures such as star forward Jack Hughes and top defenseman Dougie Hamilton, the Devils have shown impressive resilience, utilizing depth scoring from Brett Pesce and Simon Nemec—who provided the game-winning goal against the Oilers. Backup goaltender Jake Allen has stepped up impressively in net, stopping 31 shots in Thursday’s win and currently holding a solid .911 save percentage on the season. Allen’s reliability, combined with Bratt’s offensive leadership, will be vital for the Devils if they hope to maintain their road success (19-14-2) against a Penguins squad gaining momentum.

Penguins Gaining Confidence During Crucial Homestand

Pittsburgh, meanwhile, enters Saturday’s showdown following a confidence-building 5-3 win over the St. Louis Blues on Thursday. Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell paced the offense, each recording a goal and an assist. The Penguins have recently enjoyed their best run since late November, winning three consecutive contests—including a crucial 3-2 overtime victory against the Vegas Golden Knights earlier in the week.

Veteran star Sidney Crosby continues his exceptional form, leading the Penguins with 72 points, including 49 assists through 66 games. Crosby’s two assists on Thursday pushed him past Gordie Howe, as he recorded his 259th multipoint period, now seventh-most in NHL history. Rakell remains Pittsburgh’s leading goal scorer, netting 30 goals this season. Both players will be instrumental in overcoming the Devils’ disciplined defensive structure.

In goal, Tristan Jarry has provided a significant boost since returning from a stint in the AHL, stopping 97 of 103 shots faced over his last three starts. Despite a sub-.900 save percentage this season (.894), his recent form has injected confidence into a Pittsburgh squad that desperately needs stability in net as they continue their push for a playoff berth.

Head-to-Head Season Series Analysis

The Devils have gotten the better of Pittsburgh in both previous matchups this season, winning 3-0 in New Jersey in December and securing a tight 3-2 shootout victory in Pittsburgh last month. This matchup history adds an intriguing dynamic to Saturday’s contest, as the Penguins will undoubtedly be motivated to avoid a third straight loss to their division rivals. Expect Pittsburgh to adopt a more aggressive offensive approach to counteract the Devils’ balanced lineup and solid defensive play, creating intriguing opportunities for bettors interested in goal totals and player props.

Handicapper Insight

According to the latest data from ScoresAndStats.com, NHL handicapper Jim Feist has been particularly impressive recently, boasting a strong 7-2 (77.8%) record on his last nine NHL picks. Bettors looking for an edge should consider Feist’s current form and analysis as part of their strategy heading into key NHL matchups this weekend.

Best Longshot Bets for the Stanley Cup! – Discover potential high-reward picks.

Expert Prediction and Betting Insight

Saturday’s matinee promises playoff-level intensity, as both Pittsburgh and New Jersey look to sustain their recent hot streaks. The Devils’ ability to find ways to win despite key absences (Dougie Hamilton, Jack Hughes, Jonas Siegenthaler) is noteworthy, but the Penguins’ home-ice advantage and resurgent offensive form could tilt momentum their way.

Given the Devils’ success on the road and recent performances, they present strong betting value. However, Pittsburgh’s growing confidence, bolstered by Jarry’s recent play and Crosby’s relentless production, positions them as a viable option for bettors seeking potential home underdog value.

Before finalizing your wagers, take advantage of our carefully evaluated and reliable NHL Expert Picks for this exciting Metropolitan Division showdown.