New Jersey Devils @ Utah Hockey Club - March 1, 2025

As the New Jersey Devils prepare to face off against the Utah Hockey Club at Delta Center on Saturday, there’s a lot to unpack. The oddsmakers have opened with the Devils as slight favorites at -128 on the moneyline, and with a total set at 6 goals, this matchup promises to be an intriguing one.

Let’s start by examining both teams’ recent performances. The Utah Hockey Club is coming off a commanding 6-1 victory over the Wild, which not only boosted their morale but also showcased their offensive capabilities. They’ve been averaging 2.8 goals per game this season with a shooting percentage of about 10.1%. Their power play has been moderately effective, converting just over 23% of opportunities into goals.

On the other hand, we have the New Jersey Devils who are looking to bounce back after suffering a disappointing 5-1 loss against Colorado in their last outing. Despite their struggles recently—evidenced by their record of just 4 wins in their last 22 games against the spread (ATS)—the Devils still boast an impressive average of around 3 goals per game and a slightly higher shooting percentage than Utah at approximately 10.8%. Their power play is more potent as well, converting nearly 27.5% of chances.

When it comes to defensive stats, both teams show promise but also some vulnerabilities. New Jersey holds a slight edge in save percentage at 90.5%, while Utah sits at 89.5%. However, when you factor in penalty kills, New Jersey’s rate is again better (83.4%) compared to Utah’s (80.6%). This could play a crucial role if either team finds themselves short-handed during critical moments.

Looking ahead to Saturday’s contest, I predict that New Jersey will come out on top and cover the spread despite its recent road struggles (just two wins in their last fifteen away games). The key for them will be capitalizing on scoring opportunities while tightening up defensively to avoid giving up easy chances—something they can do given their solid goaltending numbers.

Moreover, I anticipate that this game will stay under the total of six goals set by bookmakers based on both teams’ recent trends; particularly considering how New Jersey has seen four out of its last six games go under and Utah has had similar results lately with four overs but generally lower-scoring outings overall.

In conclusion, expect a tightly contested match where New Jersey’s offensive firepower and superior special teams might give them just enough edge over Utah’s inconsistent form—ultimately leading them to victory while keeping things low-scoring enough for those betting on the under to find success as well!