by Rod Pearson
Thursday, Nov 30, 2023
Game Time: 7:00 pm ET, Friday, December 1, 2023
Venue: Prudential Center, Newark, NJ
Where to Watch: NHL Network
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline: Sharks +360, Devils -470; Over/Under: 6.5 goals
Bet365: Moneyline: Sharks +350, Devils -450; Over/Under: 6.5 goals
BetMGM: Moneyline: Sharks +350, Devils -450; Over/Under: 6.5 goals
Season Record
San Jose Sharks: 5-15-2 (8th place, Pacific Division)
New Jersey Devils: 10-9-1 (6th place, Metropolitan Division)
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Recent Form
San Jose Sharks: 4-5-1 last 10
New Jersey Devils: 4-6-0 last 10
San Jose Sharks vs New Jersey Devils Preview and Analysis
The Sharks are entering this game with 12 points, a 5-15-2 record overall, and they are 0-9-0 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Washington Capitals in their last game, winning that one at home 2-1, but this is also the 2nd game of a back-to-back for them with their game against the Boston Bruins still to be played on Thursday night. In their game against the Capitals, Luke Kunin and Fabian Zetterlund each scored 1 goal for them in that game. Justin Bailey, Ty Emberson, Mikael Granlund, and Nikita Okhotiuk each led the team in assists with 1 while Fabian Zetterlund led the team in shots on net in that game with 6. Mackenzie Blackwood was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 1 goal on 34 shots with 33 saves and a .971 save percentage. Their offense has scored 36 goals this season averaging 1.6 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 90 goals against them allowing 4.1 goals per game.
The Devils are entering this game with 21 points, a 10-9-1 record overall, and they are 5-5-1 in their home games this regular season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the New York Islanders in their last game, winning that one at home 5-4, but this is the 2nd game of a back-to-back for them with their game against the Philadelphia Flyers still to be played on Thursday night. In their game against the Islanders, Jack Hughes, Curtis Lazar, Michael McLeod, Dawson Mercer, and Nico Hischier each scored 1 goal for them in that game. Jack Hughes led the team in assists with 2 while Jack Hughes led the team in shots on net in that game with 9. Vitek Vanecek was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 4 goals on 18 shots with 14 saves and a .778 sv percentage before being replaced by Akira Schmid who allowed 0 goals with 8 saves on 8 shots and a 1.000 save percentage. Their offense has scored 72 goals this season averaging 3.6 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 74 goals against them allowing 3.7 goals per game.
Sharks vs Devils Prediction
The current betting odds have the Sharks listed as a huge underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Sharks have looked terrible this season with their 5-15-2 record overall which has them as one of the worst teams in the NHL this season. They have also looked terrible in their road games with their 0-9-0 road record. The Sharks are going to break that winless streak on the road eventually though and this is a good situation for them to do it since they will have some momentum from their win the other night. The Devils haven't looked any better themselves this season as they are 10-9-1 overall and only a mediocre 5-5-1 in their home games. They did win their game against the Islanders but they haven't looked good in a lot of their games lately as they even had to come back down 2 goals in that game. Both of these teams are on a back-to-back too so both are going to be tired and with how bad the Devils have looked lately, there is a lot of value in the Sharks to win this game or at least keep it within 2 goals. The best way to place a bet here is on the Sharks to win this game and cover the spread on the puckline.
Sharks Devils Prediction: Our NHL Pick for Friday, December 1, 2023 (7:00 pm ET start time) is Sharks 3 Devils 2.
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NHL Betting Trends
San Jose Sharks: 59-126 (-48.6 units) on the moneyline in all games. 9-29 (-16.6 units) on the moneyline off a road loss by 2 goals or more. 8-4 OVER after 2 straight games where 4 or fewer total goals were scored. 15-7 OVER in December games.
New Jersey Devils: 24-11 (+12.6 units) on the moneyline after a close win by 1 goal in their previous game. 13-7 (+6.4 units) on the moneyline after winning their previous game in overtime. 16-4 OVER in all games. 12-3 OVER after one or more consecutive overs.
Key Injuries
San Jose Sharks: T. Hertl (C) Ques Thurs - Abdominal. F. Zadina (RW) Out indefinitely - Upper Body. J. Rutta (D) Out indefinitely - Upper Body. O. Lindblom (LW) Out indefinitely - Lower Body. A. Barabanov (LW) Mid Dec - Upper Body. L. Couture (C) Out indefinitely - Lower Body.
New Jersey Devils: E. Haula (LW) Out Thurs - Lower Body. D. Hamilton (D) Ques Thurs - Upper Body. T. Meier (RW) Out indefinitely - Lower Body. T. Nosek (LW) Out indefinitely - Upper Body.
Notable Quotes
“I think every team is a work in progress, us in particular. We’ve been scratching and clawing here over the past three weeks and I’m really proud of our guys. They’re showing some characteristics that you need if you’re going to have a successful season.” - David Quinn after his team’s win against the Capitals in their game on Monday.
“That fired the boys up. You see the guys get up on the bench. Brendan gives us a lot." - Lindy Ruff on Brendan Smith’s fight with Anders Lee after his team’s win against the Islanders in their game on Tuesday.
Starting Lineups
San Jose Sharks
LW Eklund, William
C Kunin, Luke
RW Hoffman, Mike
LD Ferraro, Mario
RD Emberson, Ty
G Blackwood, Mackenzie
New Jersey Devils
LW Toffoli, Tyler
C Hughes, Jack
RW Mercer, Dawson
LD Siegenthaler, Jonas
RD Hamilton, Dougie
G Vanecek, Vitek
Statistical Leaders
San Jose Sharks
Points: T. Hertl (16)
Goals: F. Zetterlund (6)
Assists: T. Hertl (12)
GAA: M. Blackwood (3.60)
New Jersey Devils
Points: J. Hughes (26)
Goals: T. Toffoli (11)
Assists: J. Hughes (19)
GAA: A. Schmid (3.02)
Coaches:
San Jose Sharks: David Quinn (2nd season)
New Jersey Devils: Lindy Ruff (4th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
