NHL Thursday best bets: Devils to hang vs. Penguins

We have a busy eight-game slate to look forward to on Thursday night. Let's waste no time diving into the best way to attack it.

The Devils are on the best 2-8-0 run you'll ever see. At five-on-five, they've controlled 52% of the expected goals and 53% of the high-danger chances. They've routinely gotten better chances but haven't had the firepower to finish them. Meanwhile, seemingly every chance New Jersey has conceded has ended up in the back of the net.

While there isn't much reason to expect the latter to change - not with Mackenzie Blackwood and Jonathan Bernier both sidelined - the Devils are getting some significant reinforcements to help their offense.

The team's extended pause has given plenty of time for their players to recover from injuries and get healthy again. Dougie Hamilton, Jesper Bratt, and Andreas Johnsson are all expected to return to the lineup Thursday night. That's a No. 1 defenseman, a near point-per-game winger, and a middle-sixer producing at a 46-point clip over 82 games.

If the Devils can keep things relatively even in the chance department, which they've done of late, they now have the firepower to keep this game within striking distance.

At plus money, I'm happy to roll the dice with this Devils team getting a goal cushion.

Bet: Devils +1.5 (+105)

The Stars and Predators are known more for their defense than offense, but I think this game has sneaky scoring potential.

With Jake Oettinger getting the nod in goal Wednesday night, it's reasonable to assume the Stars will turn to Braden Holtby. That hasn't been a recipe for success, as his play has fallen off following a strong start to the campaign.

Holtby owns a woeful .898 save percentage over his last 12 appearances and has conceded just under three goals per game in that time. The Predators, fresh off an impressive six-goal showing against the Panthers, should be able to net a few in this game.

I think the Stars will be able to hold up their end of the bargain as well. They have been awfully good at generating high-danger chances of late, sitting seventh - just below the Avalanche - in five-on-five chances per 60 over the last 10 games.

Projected starter Juuse Saros will see his fair share of difficult shots. Based on the level of play we've seen from him of late, that could be more problematic than we've come to expect. He has conceded 15 goals over his last four starts and posted an .880 save percentage in that time.

Expect both sides to do their share of damage while pushing this game over the number.

Bet: Over 5.5 (-110)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.

Copyright (C) 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.