New Jersey Devils vs Pittsburgh Penguins Picks & Predictions for Thursday, January 8, 2026
Use Code WWWC The New Jersey Devils continue their road trip as they visit the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on Thursday, January 8, 2026. This Metropolitan Division showdown is scheduled for 7:00 PM EST and will be available to stream on ESPN+. The Penguins enter as one of the hottest teams in the league, riding a five-game winning streak, while the Devils are looking to regain their footing after a lopsided 9-0 loss to the Islanders on Tuesday. For expert analysis and daily wagering insights on the full slate of NHL action, be sure to check out the latest free NHL picks over at Winners and Whiners.
New Jersey Devils Looking to Rebound
The Devils arrive in Pittsburgh with a 22-19-2 record and an even 11-11-0 mark on the road. Offensively, New Jersey has hit a cold stretch, averaging just 2.58 goals per game (though they sit at 3.05 for the season overall). Their power play remains a strength, converting at a 20.2% clip, but their defense has struggled with consistency, allowing 3.09 goals per game.
New Jersey is currently dealing with a list of injuries that has thinned their depth. Evgenii Dadonov remains on Injured Reserve with a wrist injury. The team is also missing defenseman Simon Nemec and Johnathan Kovacevic, both of whom are sidelined with lower-body and knee injuries, respectively. Forward Zack MacEwen is also OUT with a lower-body injury. In net, Jake Allen (11-9-1, 2.55 GAA) is expected to get the start as the Devils look to shore up a defense that surrendered nine goals in their last outing.
Pittsburgh Penguins Surging on Home Ice
The Pittsburgh Penguins are playing their best hockey of the season, sitting at 20-12-9 and moving up the Metropolitan standings. Pittsburgh has been elite offensively during their five-game win streak, bringing their season average to 3.27 goals per game. Their power play is one of the most dangerous in the NHL, currently ranked 3rd with a 29.7% success rate.
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The big news for the Penguins is the potential return of Evgeni Malkin. Malkin, who has 29 points in 26 games, has been on Injured Reserve since early December with an upper-body injury but participated in full-contact practice this week and is a game-time decision for tonight. However, the Penguins will be without rookie Rutger McGroarty, who was recently placed on Injured Reserve with a concussion. Defenseman Caleb Jones also remains out. In goal, Stuart Skinner (13-11-4, 2.83 GAA) has been the anchor during this recent surge.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New Jersey Devils Prediction
This is a matchup of two teams moving in opposite directions. Pittsburgh is healthy, high-scoring, and dominant on the power play. New Jersey is reeling from a historic shutout loss and is missing key defensive pieces. While the Devils won the first meeting of the season in a shootout, the Penguins' current momentum—especially with the potential return of Malkin—makes them a formidable opponent at home.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New Jersey Devils ATS Pick
- Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins -1.5 (+215)
The Penguins have won four of their last five games by at least two goals (excluding overtime), and they are facing a New Jersey team that just gave up nine goals to the Islanders. With Sidney Crosby on a seven-game point streak and the Penguins' power play clicking at nearly 30%, they have the firepower to distance themselves from a shorthanded Devils blue line. At +215, the puck line offers significant value.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New Jersey Devils Total Pick
- Pick: Over 6.5 (-105)
Both teams have shown they can play in high-scoring affairs. Pittsburgh has averaged 4.6 goals per game over their last five contests, and New Jersey’s defensive struggles are well-documented. With both teams featuring top-tier offensive talent and New Jersey likely to play aggressively to erase the memory of their last game, expect a high-scoring game that clears the 6.5 mark.
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