Ryan Hodges
There are 11 games on the NHL’s Saturday slate, which should make for a great day for hockey fans. The action begins at noon eastern and is carried into the evening by a late-afternoon matchup between the Devils and Penguins. Although these teams are in 2 different places in the standings, they have had a very similar month of March. This has the makings of a great Saturday afternoon game. If you want to watch with a vested interest, here is a Same Game Parlay we like along with some reasoning.
Let’s dive in, and don’t forget you can also get our expert NHL picks for all the big games on Saturday.
Devils ML (-142)
Under 5.5 (+100)
Jesper Bratt anytime goalscorer (+240)
Saturday NHL Same-Game Parlay odds: +1000
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Devils ML (-142)
The Devils have had a tumultuous couple of weeks with injuries to key players. But they still have found a way to string together 3 consecutive wins with the last 2 coming against teams currently in a playoff spot. The Devils currently sit 3rd in the Metropolitan Division, which is 8 points clear of the next team on their tail. While that appears to be a safe lead in the standings, New Jersey’s injuries are keeping ot from taking any point for granted. These are an important 2 points for the Devils, and they will presumably play as such.
The Penguins have been playing good hockey, themselves, of late. But the Devils have had their number for a few seasons now. New Jersey has won both games played head-to-head this season as part of 9 wins in the last 10 played against Pittsburgh. The Devils have also won the last 6 played in Pittsburgh. Even with the Devils’ injuries, they look to be the better team, are in good form and will be playing with added urgency. The Devils have a good chance to continue head-to-head trends.
Under 5.5 (+100)
Low totals have been trending for both teams of late. The under has hit in 4 out of the Penguins’ last 5 games, as well as in 6 out of the Devils’ last 8 on the road. The total has also gone under in both head-to-head matchups this season. There have been just 8 goals scored in 2 games between these teams this year, and that was with healthier rosters.
Neither the Devils or Penguins have excelled in goal scoring this season, as evident by their low-scoring games played against each other. New Jersey and Pittsburgh rank 14th and 20th, respectively, in the NHL in goals scored per game. In their last 10 games, they have scored 3 or fewer goals in 15 of those combined 20 games and have allowed 3 or fewer goals in 10 of those games. The pure matchup and recent trends bode well for the under.
Jesper Bratt anytime goalscorer (+240)
As mentioned, the Devils have a bit of an uphill climb to remain in a playoff spot and make a run should they make the postseason due to injuries to key players. Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton are glaring omissions from this lineup, but there is too much hockey left to mail it in. Someone has to step up. Lately, Jesper Bratt has been one such New Jersey Devil that has risen to the occasion. Last year Bratt had his first season averaging over a point per game. As a follow up, Bratt is having the most productive season of his career with 76 points in 67 games along with a +10 rating.
In New Jersey’s last 5 games Bratt has 8 points, including back-to-back 1-goal and 2-assist performances coming into Saturday. Bratt’s most productive games in the last 5 have come against fantastic Stars, Blue Jackets and Oilers teams. The Devils need someone to step up. Among a couple players, Bratt is the player that arguably has done so to the greatest extent. This is a good player playing awesome hockey. He plays with great players both even strength and on the power play and has a favorable matchup against a team near the bottom of the conference standings. Look for Bratt to be a contributor on Saturday.
