On January 23, 2025, the New Jersey Devils will face off against the Boston Bruins at the Prudential Center, as both teams fight for survival and improvement heading toward the NHL playoffs. The game is set to start at 03:00 MSK, and with both teams struggling of late, it promises to be a fiercely contested matchup.
The New Jersey Devils, currently sitting fifth in the Eastern Conference standings with 58 points, have seen their confidence shaken after suffering four straight losses. Their recent form has left much to be desired, especially as they have slipped down the table, trailing behind their playoff rivals. Just days before the forthcoming clash, the Devils lost to the Ottawa Senators (1-2), adding to their woes after previously falling to the Philadelphia Flyers (1-3) and the Toronto Maple Leafs (3-4 OT). These minimal losing margins shed light on the team’s current struggles with execution and their inability to turn close matches to their advantage.
New Jersey had earlier enjoyed success earlier this season, but recent games show the mounting pressure. "We’ve got to find our scoring touch again if we want to compete," said Devils’ coach Sheldon Keefe, acknowledging the team's disappointing performance. Top scorer Jack Hughes has tallied 55 points (18 goals and 37 assists) this season, but even he has struggled to find consistency recently, compounded by the absence of captain Erik Haula. If New Jersey expects to break their losing streak against the Bruins, they’ll need to identify and correct their issues, especially during the third period where they’ve lost focus. With their home advantage, they must find the killer instinct necessary to capitalize on scoring opportunities and break their four-game streak of failures.
On the other side, the Boston Bruins sit at ninth place with 52 points. They've shown signs of improvement, having won three out of their last four matches—most recently dominating the San Jose Sharks with a score of 6-3. Coach Joe Sacco has praised his team’s resilience and ability to execute during offensive play, stating, "The guys are finally finding their rhythm on the ice, and it's showing on the scoreboard." Key players such as Charlie Coyle, who scored two goals against San Jose, and David Pastrnak, with five goals and six assists over the last four games, are major contributors to Boston’s newfound form.
The matchup between these two teams is expected to be closely contested, as historical data suggest the Bruins have had the upper hand over the Devils, winning four of their last five encounters. Their most recent meeting was over a year ago when Boston won decisively (3-0). Boston's offensive power is evident, especially against weaker defensive squads, giving them confidence heading to New Jersey, even though they have faced significant injuries affecting their defensive line, with multiple players unavailable.
Betting insights point toward the Devils as slight favorites according to some bookmakers, with odds of around 1.88 for them to win. Despite their bleak current form, bettors remain cautious—New Jersey has struggled extensively against Boston, winning just once during their last six meetings.
When analyzing previous matches, several key statistics emerge. New Jersey has been unable to score more than two goals consistently, doing so only twice over their last eleven outings. With Boston also frequently allowing two or more goals to opponents, this matchup has all the signs of being low-scoring. The line for total goals is set at 5.5, with many analysts speculating the match will trend under, evidenced by the offensive struggles of the Devils. Given the low-scoring trends, selecting the under total could prove wise.
Specific bets to look for include New Jersey’s inability to capitalize during third periods, where they've lost focus and let opportunities slip away—boosting Boston’s chances to open the scoring as they thrive when taking the lead. For potential players to watch, following Pastrnak's performance is key, as he continues to build momentum as he’s been instrumental to Boston's attack.
Looking forward to this matchup, the history, current forms, injuries, and statistical performances intersect, offering valuable insight for analysts and fans alike. This game could provide the spark for the Devils to turn their season around or allow Boston to claw their way back toward playoff contention. Nonetheless, as each team battles for momentum, January 23 promises to be filled with action on the ice.