Tonight the Pittsburgh Penguins travel to Newark, New Jersey to face the Devils at the Prudential Center. Welcome back to NHL Predictions here on Last Word on Hockey! Each day, we provide in-depth analysis, insights, and predictions for all the NHL’s games. In today’s matchup, the Devils aim to rebound from a recent thrashing by the Boston Bruins . Meanwhile, the Penguins look to see what they’ve got in their roster in the remaining games left for them to play.
NHL Predictions
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New Jersey Devils
Head-to-Head: Penguins 1-2 Devils
Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: NHL Network, Sportsnet+
This is the fourth and final meeting this season between these two teams. The Devils took the first two games by scores of 3-0 and 3-2 in overtime, and the Penguins took the third game by a score of 7-3.
The Penguins Story
With just three games remaining in the regular season, the Pittsburgh Penguins season is winding down. Through the first 79 games, the team has put together a 32-35-12 record. While the bottom-three spots in the league are locked in, there is the potential for the Penguins to fall down as low as fourth last or climb just out of the playoffs. Positioning will be crucial as the team hopes for what’s likely to be their first top-ten draft pick since 2012.
This season represented the beginning of the rebuild in Pittsburgh. However, many players have provided reasons for optimism going forward. Sidney Crosby has achieved a historical, record-breaking 20th straight point-per-game season, with 87 points in 77 games. A large part of his success has come from the brilliance of his wingers. Rickard Rakell has 34 goals and 68 points in 78 games, while Bryan Rust has 28 goals and 61 points in 68 games. Many younger players on the team will be looked at to take a step-forward next season. Forwards Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen will lead a youth movement for the organization next season, having impressed in their limited NHL time down the stretch this season. This game against New Jersey will be a good test for players like Koivunen, Conor Timmins and Vasily Ponomarev. Each of these players hoping to obtain permanent spots on the roster next season.
The Devils Story
The New Jersey Devils have four games left before meeting the Carolina Hurricanes in a Metropolitan Division clash in the first round of the playoffs. The team has a 41-30-7 record, placing them third in the Metropolitan Division. With crucial players like Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton out with injury , games like this one against Pittsburgh will be important in allowing the Devils to identify their ideal lineup with these key subtractions.
In the absence of Jack Hughes, forward Jesper Bratt has emerged with a fantastic offensive season to lead the Devils. Bratt has 21 goals and 88 points through 78 games. The former sixth-round pick has already surpassed his previous career-high in points. That previous mark was 83 points, and he is looking to reach the 90-point mark before the end of the regular season. Young gun Luke Hughes has been another important piece for this injured Devils team. With key absences taking their toll, Hughes took a step forward in his all-around game, helping to stabilize the blueline while pitching in offensively. Luke has 42 points in 68 games this season. Finally, this is an important stretch for the re-worked depth of the Devils. Dawson Mercer , traditionally a winger, has taken over second-line centre duties from captain Nico Hischier . He is looking to build chemistry with Timo Meier to the playoffs. Both players have had relatively lacklustre seasons offensively and will use this game against the Penguins to tap into potential chemistry that could aid in their series against the Hurricanes.
NHL Prediction
The Devils will come out hot, looking to build chemistry while defeating a rival on home-ice. Even with their subtractions, the team is far deeper than Pittsburgh, and should be able to defeat them handily.
Prediction: Devils win 4-2
Prop Bet for the Night
Total Goals Over 5 (-250): Both teams have tried to tighten up their game recently. With the Devils in particular preparing for a tight series against a defensively stout Hurricanes team, expect a lower-scoring affair.
Main Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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The post NHL Predictions: April 11th with Pittsburgh Penguins at New Jersey Devils appeared first on Last Word On Hockey .