New Jersey Devils (11-10-1) vs. Vancouver Canucks (16-8-1)
New Jersey Devils vs. Vancouver Canucks 12/5/23 – The New Jersey Devils take on the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night in a cross-conference NHL clash. The Devils have struggled for consistency this season but have won four of their last six games. Meanwhile, the Canucks have been one of the league’s top teams with a 16-8-1 record. Our NHL free insights indicate this should be a competitive matchup between two talented offensive teams.
The Devils offense runs through top scorers Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt and Tyler Toffoli, who have combined for 77 points this year. Hughes leads the team with 30 points and sparks the top power play unit along with Bratt. This trio will look to break down a Canucks defense led by Quinn Hughes. Vancouver has allowed the 9th fewest goals per game this year, so the Devils scorers have their work cut out.
The Canucks counter with their own set of elite offensive weapons in J.T. Miller, Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson. Miller leads the team with 36 points, while Hughes and Pettersson pace a dangerous power play. The Canucks rank 5th in the NHL in goals per game and will be licking their chops against New Jersey’s 3.49 team GAA. If Miller, Pettersson and others get rolling, Vancouver should light up the scoreboard.
New Jersey Devils vs. Vancouver Canucks 12/5/23 Game Info
| When: | Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at 10:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Rogers Arena |
| TV: | NHL |
| Stream: | NHL.TV |
Goaltender Vitek Vanecek vs. Goaltender Thatcher Demko
Vitek Vanecek has struggled in his first season as the Devils’ starting netminder. In 15 games played, he’s registered an underwhelming 3.49 GAA and .879 save percentage while allowing over 3 goals per game. Vanecek has already given up 46 goals on just 381 shots faced this year. He seems to have regressed from his solid numbers while in Washington the previous two seasons. If Vanecek has another shaky outing, it could spell disaster against a Canucks offense that averages 3.68 goals per contest. He must elevate his play and fundamentally sound in the crease to give New Jersey a chance. Still, Vanecek’s lackluster performance and porous defense in front of him point to plenty of red lights behind him tonight at Rogers Arena.
At the other end, Thatcher Demko continues his emergence as an elite goalie this season. Through 18 starts, he’s logged a sparkling 2.26 GAA and .924 save percentage – over 60 points higher than Vanecek’s mark. Demko has held opponents to just 2.26 goals per game while making 485 saves already on a stout 92.4% of shots faced. He provides Vancouver with stable and often spectacular goaltending every night. Demko could easily stifle a struggling Devils attack, especially if he gets hot early. The Canucks netminder possesses a decisive edge over his New Jersey counterpart. His consistently superb play gives Vancouver a monumental advantage in net tonight.
NHL Odds/Point Spread: Vancouver Canucks -132, Total Odds: 6.5
The current betting odds favor the Vancouver Canucks, with a moneyline of -132, indicating a slight advantage over the Devils. The total odds set at 6.5 suggest expectations of a high-scoring game, aligning with the teams’ recent trends of exceeding total scores in their matchups.
New Jersey Devils Betting Trends
The trends indicate the Devils have dominated this matchup historically, especially in Vancouver. However, this year’s Canucks squad poses a tougher test, especially if New Jersey’s goaltending fails to hold up. Still, the Devils offensive prowess combined with their recent penchant for high-scoring games points to value on the over.
Vancouver Canucks Betting Trends
Vancouver has been scoring and allowing goals at a high rate recently, continuing their established pattern this year as an exciting offensive club. They’ve also excelled at Rogers Arena of late, while usually eclipsing totals lines when facing Eastern Conference foes. These trends signal offensive fireworks tonight.
New Jersey Devils vs. Vancouver Canucks 12/5/23 Betting Picks
Considering the analysis and betting trends, the upcoming game between the New Jersey Devils and the Vancouver Canucks is poised to be a closely contested affair. The Devils’ strong record against Vancouver, coupled with their offensive firepower, makes them a formidable opponent.
In conclusion, the recommended pick is the Vancouver Canucks for the win, with the game likely exceeding the total score of 6.5. Bettors should consider this matchup for both moneyline and over/under bets, capitalizing on the top-rated sports picks and the insights provided by the teams’ recent performances and trends.
Free Pick and Prediction: Vancouver Canucks 5, New Jersey Devils 3.