Consistency is always elusive in the rough-and-tumble league that is the NHL, and it’s something the Chicago Blackhawks are still trying to establish. After winning four straight games in October, the Blackhawks have gone 1-3. They now look to avoid furthering this tailspin when they head to east coast to play the New Jersey Devils. The Devils also have consistency issues as they are either winning or losing in bunch this season.
Read on for more about this matchup. You can also click here for a full preview of Rangers vs. Avs.
[sc:NHLArticles ]Chicago Blackhawks vs. New Jersey Devils Betting Preview
Where: Prudential Center, Newark
When: Friday, November 30, 2015 7:00 PM ET
Line: Chicago Blackhawks vs. New Jersey Devils – view all NHL lines
Betting on the Chicago Blackhawks (7-5-0)
[sc:NHL240 ]A three-goal first period apparently wasn’t enough for the Blackhawks to get past St. Louis on Wednesday, as they suffered a 6-5 overtime loss to the Blues. The loss spoiled whatever momentum Chicago got after stopping the Los Angeles Kings’ seven game in streak on Monday.
Chicago, which is 1-3, in its last four games hopes that a matchup against frequent victim New Jersey would get the Blackhawks back on track. Dating back to 2013, Chicago is 4-0 in its last four meetings with the Devils.
Despite the loss to St. Louis, the Blackhawks should feel happy about their offense that is starting to hit its stride. Chicago is making just 2.3 goals per game this season, but has averaged 4.6 in its past three outings. Jonathan Toews has already began making noise after going scoreless in Chicago’s first seven games. Toews has scored five goals since, and he’ll look to add more against the Devils.
Unfortunately for the Blackhawks, the defense that kept the team afloat early in the season has failed to complement Patrick Kane (eight goals, 10 assists this season) and company’s exploits on the offensive end of late. Over the same three-game stretch, the Blackhawks were outscored by their opponents, 16-14. New Jersey doesn’t carry that much punch on offense so Friday’s game should be a relatively easier work for Corey Crawford. Crawford is 6-3-0 with 1.79 GAA and .938 SV% thus far this season.
The under is 4-1 in Chicago’s last five games away from Windy City.
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Betting on the New Jersey Devils (6-5-1)
The Devils began the season with four straight defeats, but appeared to have turned the corner by going 6-2 since. Although they lost to the Islanders in their previous game, 2-1, the Devils figure to be a pesky team to face for any team.
New Jersey is being carried by its solid defense, led by a brilliant goalie in Cory Schneider, who keeps a 6-2-1 record that goes along with his 2.16 GAA and .922 SV%. Behind Schneider’s netminding, the Devils are able to limit opponents to 2.50 goals per game. The blue line is also doing a fine job of slowing down opponents with the Devils allowing just 27.3 shots per contest. That wasn’t the case though in the loss to the Isles, as Ambers Lee and company outshot New Jersey, 34-24. Chicago parades one of the scariest group of forwards in the league so there’s going to be a ton of work for Andy Greene and the rest of Devils’ defensemen.
New Jersey’s offense, meanwhile, will have to develop some teeth going forward. The Devils are mustering just 2.3 goals per outing, just 24th in the NHL. The absence of Chicago defenseman Duncan Keith, however, is one big obstacle hurdled for the likes of Adam Henrique and Travis Zajac. Henrique tops the Devils with six goals, while second-line center Zajac has five.
New Jersey is 7-3 in its last 10 home games against the Blackhawks.
Writer’s Prediction
Chicago wins, 3-2.
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