Elsa/Getty Images
The Rundown:
The red-hot New Jersey Devils are 8-1-1 in their past 10 games and look to continue their hot stretch in the Music City against the Nashville Predators. Nashville is scratching and clawing its way to being recognized as a playoff team in the Central Division and is hoping to snag a win tonight before the All-Star Break. The Predators are coming off a very convincing win against the Winnipeg Jets and have gone 6-4 in their past 10.
The Matchup
In their last matchup, the Predators bested the Devils with a 4-3 win in overtime, in which Ryan Johansen scored the opening goal and the game-winning goal for the Predators. The Predators (23-18-6) have won four in a row at home and are currently three points behind the Calgary Flames for the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. The Devils (31-12-4) have put together a strong month of January in which they’ve only allowed one loss in regulation, back on January 4 against the St. Louis Blues. The major advantage the Devils have against the Predators tonight is on offense. New Jersey is one of the better even-strength teams with a top-three 55.39 xGF% (expected goals) and they generate a ton of high-danger chances. Not to mention the gap in special teams for both clubs. The Predators currently own the fourth-worst power play in the NHL, with New Jersey owning the eighth-best penalty kill in the league.
Players To Watch
For the Devils, Dougie Hamilton is the player to watch. The Devils defenseman is coming off a game Tuesday against the Vegas Golden Knights, in which he scored with 70 seconds remaining in regulation and then scored in overtime for a 3-2 win. Hamilton is currently seventh in the NHL in points among defensemen (42; 13 goals, 29 assists), trailing the likes of Quinn Hughes and Cale Makar. Hamilton’s goal on Tuesday was his second overtime goal in as many games, when he scored the overtime winner on the powerplay to defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday.
For the Predators, Filip Forsberg is the player to watch. With an assist Tuesday, Forsberg reached 40 points (18 goals, 22 assists) for the eighth time in his NHL career, tied with three players in Predators history. Only David Legwand (nine) has more. His 40 points are tied for the team lead in points alongside Captain Roman Josi. After a slow start to the season, Forsberg leads the Predators with 18 goals, which puts him on pace to score 31 this season.
Odds Presented By Betfred Sportsbook
Spread- New Jersey Devils -1.5 (+185) / Nashville Predators +1.5 (-235)
Moneyline- New Jersey Devils -135 / Nashville Predators +115
Total– 6.0 – Over (-105) / Under (-115)
Make sure you give Betfred Sportsbook a follow on Twitter (@BetfredSports) and download the Betfred Sportsbook App. Also make sure to follow at (@TWSN___) and the WrightBet at (@wrightbet513).
