The Edmonton Oilers are set to collide with the New Jersey Devils on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at the Prudential Center, with the puck dropping at 7:30 p.m. EDT. This matchup carries significant weight for both teams as they navigate the final stretch of the NHL season, battling for playoff positions amid challenging circumstances. The Oilers enter the game as slight favorites, priced at -130 on the moneyline, with the total set at six goals.
Currently, the Oilers sit comfortably near the top of the Pacific Division, with their record standing at 37-23-4. Despite their advantageous position, they are riding the wave of inconsistent performance, recently posting a 3-7 record over their last ten games. Their formidable offense continues to be led by Leon Draisaitl, who tops the NHL with 46 goals. This strong firepower, paired with their goal-scoring average of 3.23 goals per game—which ranks second league-wide—suggests the Oilers can keep pace on offense.
Conversely, their defense has struggled to keep the puck out of their net, evidenced by their average of 2.94 goals against per game, which places them firmly mid-pack defensively. Key goaltender Stuart Skinner is set to take the start, holding a GAA of 2.88 and save percentage of .896. The emergence of recent defensive problems is concerning, as they have allowed four or more goals in several of their recent matches, including losses against teams like Anaheim. The return to form of captain Connor McDavid—who has recently highlighted his scoring ability with multi-point games—offers some comfort for Oilers fans, highlighting their offensive consistency even during difficult outings.
On the other side of the ice, the New Jersey Devils, currently placed third in the Metropolitan Division with a 35-25-6 record, have been battling their own issues, particularly injuries. Most prominently, they are coping with the loss of star forward Jack Hughes, who is out for the season following shoulder surgery around March 6. The absence of Hughes leaves the Devils searching for alternative scoring options, and recently acquired Cody Glass has made strides since joining the team, scoring points shortly after his debut.
Against the backdrop of Hughes missing from the lineup, the Devils have been trying to maintain their offensive prowess. Players like Jesper Bratt and Luke Hughes have stepped up to fill the gaps, with Bratt recently achieving impressive numbers, managing to lead the team with 73 points this season. Last seen on March 11, the Devils showed confidence, securing a 5-3 victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets, allowing them to maintain distance from the Wild Card contenders. Backstopped by Jacob Markstrom, who recently secured his first win since returning from injury, the Devils are prepared to manage the aggressive Oilers offense intact, as they rank second in the NHL with a goals-against average of 2.53.
This game also presents meaningful betting insights. With the last five meetings between these teams seeing the over hit consistently, the pattern suggests we might be on the verge of another high-scoring affair. Given Edmonton's recent struggles, oddsmakers have provided the Devils the edge at home, amplifying the task for the struggling Oilers' blue line. Notably, the Devils are known for their defensive solidity, which could compel the Oilers—often relying on offensive firepower—to adjust their strategy.
With the dual narrative of the Oilers embarking on their New York road trip amid adversity and the Devils endeavoring to consolidate their playoff spot without their top scorer, all eyes will be glued to the Prudential Center. Only time will tell if the Oilers can rise to the occasion against New Jersey's resolute defense or if the Devils will exploit Edmonton's defensive frailties to seize the day.
Predictions are varied, but many analysts favor the Devils’ home advantage and strong overall defensive play, especially with the uncertainty surrounding the Oilers' recent outputs. Expect values on both sides of the ice with several players likely to make their mark through goal-scoring opportunities. For this matchup, the Devils are likely to pull off the win. By exploiting the Oilers’ defensive gaps and working on their scoring depth effectively, they could shut the door on any momentum Edmonton seeks to generate. Final prediction for this intense matchup? Devils 4, Oilers 2.