New Jersey Devils (29-25-4) vs. Anaheim Ducks (20-35-3)
New Jersey Devils vs. Anaheim Ducks 3/1/24 – As the NHL season continues, an intriguing matchup will occur this Friday when the New Jersey Devils host Anaheim Ducks for an intriguing battle on the ice that promises to grab everyone’s attention – fans and bettors alike seeking NHL daily free picks alike will surely pay close attention. Both teams aim to assert their dominance and climb their respective standings, making this meeting crucially significant within this regular season’s landscape.
The Devils offense is led by leading scorer Jesper Bratt, who has 21 goals and 38 assists this season. Bratt and linemate Jack Hughes have excellent chemistry and could give the Ducks defense trouble. Anaheim allows 3.54 goals against per game, second-worst in the NHL. However, the Ducks have been better at home, allowing just 3.24 goals per contest. If Bratt’s line can expose Anaheim’s defensive issues, it could be a long night for the Ducks.
For the Ducks, right winger Frank Vatrano leads the team with 26 goals. Vatrano, Adam Henrique and Mason McTavish make up Anaheim’s most productive line this year. They’ll be facing Devils goalie Vitek Vanecek, who has posted a disappointing .892 save percentage through 32 starts. If Vatrano and company can test Vanecek early, they may be able to build some momentum at home. However, the Ducks lack secondary scoring behind their top line which could hurt against a deeper Devils roster.
New Jersey Devils vs. Anaheim Ducks 3/1/24 Game Info
| When: | Friday, March 1, 2024, at 10:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Honda Center |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
| Stream: | NHL.TV |
Goaltender Vitek Vanecek vs. Goaltender John Gibson
Vitek Vanecek comes into this matchup with a 17-9-3 record along with a 3.18 goals against average and a .892 save percentage. He’s faced a heavy workload this season, playing in 32 games while making 767 saves. Vanecek will need to be sharp against an Anaheim team that scores 3.21 goals per contest. If he can limit the quality scoring chances for the Ducks’ top forwards, the Devils should find success.
On the other side, John Gibson holds a disappointing 12-20-2 mark in 2023-24. His peripheral numbers aren’t much better at a 3.12 GAA and .899 save percentage. The veteran netminder has faced the second most shots in the league so far as Anaheim allows a whopping 35.4 shots per game. Gibson will likely be busy again facing a New Jersey squad generating over 3 goals per contest. He must stay focused and not allow leaky goals, otherwise this game could get out of hand if the Devils’ offense gets rolling.
NHL Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
The betting odds for this matchup remain to be determined, reflecting the unpredictability of the game. Bettors will be keenly awaiting the lines to gauge the favorites and the underdogs, with particular attention to the performance trends of both teams.
New Jersey Devils Betting Trends
The Devils are 15-12 against the spread on the road this season and have covered in three of their past four away. The totals have gone OVER in four of New Jersey’s last five overall. Devils’ games average 6.4 total goals per contest this season. When playing on one day of rest, New Jersey allows 3.33 goals per game.
Anaheim Ducks Betting Trends
The Ducks are 17-12 against the spread at home in 2023-24. Anaheim sees its games average 6.5 total goals, with the OVER hitting in three of the Ducks’ previous five matches. When facing Metropolitan division opponents, the Ducks allow 3.91 goals per game. Anaheim has lost five straight home games entering Friday night.
New Jersey Devils vs. Anaheim Ducks 3/1/24 Betting Picks
Based on analysis and betting trends, this game appears destined to be closely contested. With their offensive edge and solid goaltending, the Devils should challenge Anaheim’s defense effectively while Anaheim’s top performers may exploit any gaps in New Jersey’s defensive game plan.
Due to trends and recent form, expect an exciting matchup, with opportunities for scoring on both sides. The Devils may hold an edge due to their superior offensive consistency and depth – making them favorites in this encounter.
Handicappers’ picks and tips, team performances and betting trends suggest this matchup may lean in favor of the New Jersey Devils with high-scoring games likely. A potential prop bet could involve wagering on over total goals being scored; both teams tend to favor high scoring encounters.
Free Pick and Prediction: New Jersey Devils 4, Anaheim Ducks 2