New Jersey Devils vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction, 1/8/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: New Jersey Devils vs Pittsburgh Penguins

Date: Thursday, January 8, 2026

Location: PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA

TV: Sportsnet Pittsburgh

PPG Paints Arena is where the Pittsburgh Penguins (20-12-9) will attempt to defeat the New Jersey Devils (22-19-2) on Thursday.

The New Jersey Devils will look for better times on the ice after their 9-0 defeat against the Islanders in their last outing. New Jersey tallied 2 mins in the box in this contest. The Devils left a lot to be desired in terms of their offense in the defeat. In addition, they had 3 chances on the power play but weren't able to score. In the matchup, they walked away having not converted any of the 44 shots they put on net.

New Jersey Devils opponents have totaled 111 power play opportunities (28th in the NHL) and have scored 25 goals in those chances. The Devils thus far have had 1,237 shots taken against them and have earned a save percentage of .892. New Jersey has attempted 1,289 shots and has a shooting percentage of 8.6%. While at even strength, the Devils have given up 108 goals while notching 89 on the offensive side of the ice. New Jersey comes into the game with 109 power play opportunities and they have notched 22 goals during those advantages, garnering them a rate of 20.18%. For the season, they have recorded 46 points and their points percentage is sitting at .535. Concerning their goal scoring prowess, the New Jersey Devils have tallied 111 goals (29th in the National Hockey League) so far this year and have allowed 133.

The man in goal for this game is Jake Allen. Opponents have racked up 1,246 goals against Allen in his professional career and his goals against average is 2.73. Allen has played in 482 games over the course of his NHL career. His save percentage is at .908 during his 24,434 mins between the pipes. He has amassed an overall mark of 219-193-44 and he was named the starter in 457 games. For his professional hockey career, Allen has 241 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is at .527. Allen has seen 13,483 shots against him and he has 12,237 saves.

In their last game, Pittsburgh opposed the Blue Jackets in a game where the Penguins got the win by a score of 5-4. The Penguins notched 5 goals of the 43 shots on goal they attempted. They had 3 attempts on the power play in this contest and recorded 1 out of those attempts.

The Penguins are sitting with 101 goals at even strength and 33 goals (6th in pro hockey) while having more men on the ice. Pittsburgh has tried 1,186 shots (15th in the NHL) and has a shooting percentage of 11.30%, while allowing their opponents 1,138 shots. So far this year, the Pittsburgh Penguins have a total of 134 goals, 49 points, as well as a points percentage of .598. They have permitted 126 goals to be scored by way of 104 goals at even strength and 22 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have a total of 111 opportunities on the power play and they have a power play rate of 29.73%. They have a penalty kill rate of 81.51% on their opponents 119 power play opportunities, and their save percentage currently sits at 88.9%.

Across the rink you are going to see Stuart Skinner protecting the goal. Teams are averaging 2.71 goals per game and he has allowed 531 goals in total. Skinner's rate of quality starts is 54.6% and he has 107 quality starting assignments in his NHL career. He has been a starter 196 contests and has accumulated 9,289 minutes. Skinner has a lifetime record of 111-65-18 and has played in 202 contests. He has accounted for 4,969 stops out of the 5,500 shots taken against him, giving him a percentage of .903.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh's Pick: Take New Jersey

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