{"id":134487,"date":"2023-01-04T07:00:55","date_gmt":"2023-01-04T12:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=134487"},"modified":"2023-01-04T05:10:39","modified_gmt":"2023-01-04T10:10:39","slug":"nhl-predictions-jan-4-devils-red-wings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2023\/01\/04\/nhl-predictions-jan-4-devils-red-wings\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Predictions: January 4 Including New Jersey Devils vs Detroit Red Wings"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"p1\"><em><span class=\"s1\">Welcome back to another day of NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are happening and gives our predictions for each one, breaking down head-to-head and other factors that may play in. We also have a featured game of the day, which is considered must-watch TV. Today\u2019s featured game is between the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2023\/01\/02\/2022-23-nhl-season-records-broken\/\" target=\"_self\">New Jersey Devils <\/a>and the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2022\/12\/21\/nhl-predictions-december-21-with-the-new-jersey-devils-vs-florida-panthers\/\" target=\"_self\">Detroit Red Wings<\/a>. <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">NHL Predictions: New Jersey Devils vs Detroit Red Wings<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Tampa Bay Lightning vs Minnesota Wild<\/span><\/h3>\n<h4 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Head to Head: Lightning 0-0 Wild<\/span><\/h4>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The first game tonight is between the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/lightning\/\" target=\"_self\">Tampa Bay Lightning<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/wild\/\" target=\"_self\">Minnesota Wild<\/a>. Both teams are in the thick of things and sit in third place in their respective divisions. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">This game is highlighted by the forward group, especially a pair of Russians. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kapriki01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-01-03_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kirill Kaprizov<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kucheni01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-01-03_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nikita Kucherov<\/a> are the two best on their teams and lead in points. Seeing these two go head to head is special for hockey fans all around, and are game-changers. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">A few things to watch in this matchup is a star-studded forward group in Tampa, against a defensive group in Minnesota. Tampa Bay averages 3.57 goals per game and has scored the <a href=\"https:\/\/moneypuck.com\/teams.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ninth most goals<\/a> all year. Minnesota averages 2.81 goals against per game and ranks sixth in the league in that regard. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">If there was any doubt in goaltender <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/v\/vasilan02.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-01-03_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Andrei Vasilevskiy<\/a>, that doubt is put to bed. He <a href=\"https:\/\/moneypuck.com\/goalies.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ranks sixth<\/a> in GSAX (11.6) and has been on fire as of late. Vasilevskiy is 4-1 in his last five with a 1.58 GAA. Good luck to Minnesota in this one. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em><span class=\"s1\">Prediction: Lightning defeat Wild 4-2<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"QAPKliLJSCNhBEYpPXWx8Q\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1245729983\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'QAPKliLJSCNhBEYpPXWx8Q',sig:'xtLApCicAVh-ESCE9HKPxwslfLhIW6yiUWBYlbRc5F4=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1245729983',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Dallas Stars vs Anaheim Ducks<\/span><\/h3>\n<h4 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Head to Head: Stars 1-0 Ducks<\/span><\/h4>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The second game on our NHL Predictions is between the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/stars\/\" target=\"_self\">Dallas Stars<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/ducks\/\" target=\"_self\">Anaheim Ducks.<\/a> Dallas took the first meeting in a smothering 5-0 victory. This game also features one of the best teams in the conference against one of the worst. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Dallas is one of the best teams in all aspects of the game. They are <a href=\"https:\/\/moneypuck.com\/teams.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">third in the league<\/a> in goals (137), and ninth in goals against (102). In addition, they have great special teams, with the second-ranked powerplay and the fourth-best penalty kill. They are one of the deepest teams in terms of production, while also getting good goaltending. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Anaheim is as bad as they are. They lead the league in goals against, which does not bode well playing a Stars team who already exploited that weakness once already. To make matters worse they allow the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.naturalstattrick.com\/teamtable.php\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">most high-danger chances<\/a> with 488, almost 100 more than the next team. Even with Dallas playing the night prior, it&#8217;s a layup of a game for the two points. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em><span class=\"s1\">Prediction: Stars defeat Ducks 5-1<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">New Jersey Devils vs Detroit Red Wings<\/span><\/h3>\n<h4 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Head to Head: Devils 1-1 Red Wings<\/span><\/h4>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Tonight&#8217;s featured matchup on the NHL Predictions is between the New Jersey Devils and the Detroit Red Wings. This is the third and final meeting between the two clubs. Each team has won and in a dominant fashion. Detroit took the first meeting, spoiling the Devils&#8217; home opener, but the Devils responded with a 6-2 victory in the next meeting. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">New Jersey is 2-3 in their last five games and scoring has not been as strong as it was in November. They averaged 2.42 goals per game in the month of December. The one constant though has been star centre, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=hugheja03,hugheja02&amp;search=Jack+Hughes&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-01-03_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jack Hughes<\/a>. He has 21 goals, which is five shy from his total last year and has four goals in his last five games. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Detroit is 3-2 in their last five games. It&#8217;s a building year as they are fourth in the jam-packed Atlantic Division. Captain <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/l\/larkidy01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-01-03_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dylan Larkin<\/a> is having a killer year for the Wings. He leads the team with 13 goals and 32 points. Over half of the roster has double-digit point totals as contributions have come all around. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The X factor will come down to the goaltending. New Jersey is one of the best possession teams in all of hockey, and the goaltending for Detroit will need to stand tall. Goaltending has been shaky as of late for New Jersey, but <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/v\/vanecvi01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-01-03_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Vitek Vanecek<\/a> has stood tall in net. With the Devils lacklustre scoring ability as of late, Detroit could pounce on them and capitalize on their chances and secure the victory. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em><span class=\"s1\">Prediction: Red Wings defeat Devils 4-3<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p>Main Photo:<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"yN63W_4TRChj39deNqtPKQ\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1434173802\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'yN63W_4TRChj39deNqtPKQ',sig:'waQDvjmlxUSZVOQYKiT6HeeYGlglTXGmXh0sgrXC3hw=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1434173802',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome back to another day of NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are happening and gives our predictions for each one, breaking down head-to-head and other factors that may play in. We also have a featured game of the day, which is considered must-watch TV. Today\u2019s [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4194,"featured_media":134489,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4524,4,4547,13,4548],"tags":[95,6201,6079],"class_list":["post-134487","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nhl-predictions","category-redwings","category-hockey","category-devils","category-nhl","tag-detroit-red-wings","tag-detroit-red-wings-predictions","tag-new-jersey-devils-predictions"],"modified_by":"Josh Erickson","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/134487","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4194"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=134487"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/134487\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/134489"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=134487"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=134487"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=134487"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}