The New Jersey Devils will look to maintain their playoff-ready form when they host the Detroit Red Wings in a final regular season tune-up at Prudential Center on Wednesday night.
While the Devils have secured the third seed in the Metropolitan Division with a solid 42-32-7 record, the Red Wings (38-35-7) are closing out their eighth consecutive season without playoff hockey.
The matchup presents a stark defensive contrast with New Jersey allowing just 2.67 goals per game behind Jake Allen's steady netminding, while Detroit's struggling blueline has surrendered 3.20 goals per game throughout their disappointing campaign.
New Jersey Devils vs. Detroit Red Wings prediction: who will win?
For tonight's New Jersey Devils vs Detroit Red Wings matchup, our predictive model gives the Devils a 65.5% chance of defeating the Wings.
Pre-game probabilities
New Jersey Devils
Moneyline
Win %
65.5%
34.5%
Detroit Red Wings
New Jersey Devils: 65.5% win probability
- Superior overall standing (7th in Eastern Conference with 91 points vs Detroit's 10th with 83 points)
- Better goal differential (-23 compared to Detroit's worse -23 differential)
- More consistent recent performance (Recent form shows 'WLLLW' with 42 wins compared to Detroit's 'WWLLW' with 38 wins)
Detroit Red Wings: 34.5% win probability
- Poor road performance (implied by their lower position despite similar recent form)
- Defensive vulnerability (253 goals against compared to New Jersey's 217)
- Lower win percentage (38 wins in 80 games compared to Devils' 42 wins in 81 games)
At Sporting Post, our unique prediction model combines insights from top NHL experts. Instead of sifting through hundreds of expert analyses across the web, you can rely on our predictions to understand the market's overall sentiment. We scan trusted sources, analyzing predictions, data, and opinions, and our AI assigns a confidence level to each prediction. We then average these levels to produce an 'expert opinion' win probability—reflecting the collective intelligence of the industry's leading NHL experts..
| New Jersey Devils | Detroit Red Wings | |
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline |
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New Jersey Devils vs. Detroit Red Wings preview
The Detroit Red Wings head to Prudential Center on Wednesday night for their final road test against a Devils squad that's already locked up the third seed in the Metropolitan Division.
While New Jersey prepares for playoff hockey, Detroit faces another disappointing conclusion to a season that marks their eighth straight year without postseason action.
Both teams have struggled offensively, with the Devils averaging just 2.95 goals per game and Detroit managing only 2.87, but it's on defense where the true separation appears.
New Jersey has forged its playoff-bound identity through tight defensive play, allowing just 2.67 goals per game behind the solid Jake Allen (6.5 goals saved above average) and a blue line anchored by Kovacevic and Dillon.
The Red Wings' defensive woes (3.20 goals against per game) have undermined solid seasons from forwards Raymond, DeBrincat and Larkin, who've combined for 93 goals.
Look for the Devils to use this final tune-up to shore up their defensive structure before the real battle begins next week.
New Jersey Devils vs. Detroit Red Wings form
New Jersey Devils vs. Detroit Red Wings head to head
New Jersey Devils
67%
Detroit Red Wings
33%
Nov 29, 2024
Detroit Red Wings
4 : 5
New Jersey Devils
Oct 24, 2024
Detroit Red Wings
5 : 3
New Jersey Devils
Dec 24, 2023
New Jersey Devils
3 : 2
Detroit Red Wings
Nov 23, 2023
Detroit Red Wings
4 : 0
New Jersey Devils
Oct 12, 2023
New Jersey Devils
4 : 3
Detroit Red Wings
Jan 5, 2023
Detroit Red Wings
1 : 5
New Jersey Devils
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