{"id":477391,"date":"2025-11-08T08:05:03","date_gmt":"2025-11-08T13:05:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=477391"},"modified":"2025-11-08T07:13:48","modified_gmt":"2025-11-08T12:13:48","slug":"nhl-predictions-pittsburgh-penguins-new-jersey-devils","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/11\/08\/nhl-predictions-pittsburgh-penguins-new-jersey-devils\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Predictions: November 8th Penguins Edition with Pittsburgh at the New Jersey Devils"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Penguins visit Newark, New Jersey to take on the Devils. Welcome back to a Saturday edition of NHL Predictions here with <em>Last Word On Hockey<\/em>! Each day, we provide in-depth analysis, insights, and predictions for all the NHL\u2019s games. In today\u2019s matchup, the New Jersey Devils host the Pittsburgh Penguins in a Metropolitan meeting.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>NHL Predictions <\/strong><strong>New Jersey Devils vs Pittsburgh Penguins<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Head-to-Head:<\/strong>\u00a0Devils 0-0 Penguins<\/p>\n<p><strong>Time:<\/strong>\u00a012:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)<\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/full-guide-for-how-to-stream-and-watch-nhl-hockey-games\" target=\"_self\">How to Watch<\/a>\u00a0<strong>TV:<\/strong> SportsNet Pittsburgh; MSGSN; Sportsnet<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/c\/crosbsi01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-11-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sidney Crosby<\/a> and the Penguins take on <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=2025-11-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jack Hughes<\/a> and the Devils in a rivalry matchup for the top spot in the NHL&#8217;s Metropolitan Division.<\/p>\n<h3>The Penguins Story<\/h3>\n<p>Following back-to-back disappointing losses to the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/jets\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Winnipeg Jets<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/leafs\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a>, the Penguins finally got back in the win column against the Washington Capitals on Thursday. Playing at home, Pittsburgh beat <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/o\/ovechal01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-11-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alex Ovechkin<\/a> and his Capitals 5-3. This game, however, continued a worrying trend of allowing scoring chances and blowing leads after building up a lead. Like the game against Toronto, Pittsburgh went up 3-0 on the Capitals, only to allow three unanswered goals in the second period. Fortunately for the Penguins, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/r\/rustbr01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-11-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bryan Rust<\/a> would notch a power play goal in the third to retake the lead in the eventual win.<\/p>\n<p>Although the defence has been an issue, special teams have been a salvation for the Penguins. Pittsburgh scored three goals on the power play, boosting their power play to the top unit in the entire league, scoring at a 35.9% clip. Their penalty kill is also top-ten in the league, sitting ninth at an 84.4% success rate. These special teams and the amount of scoring in general have been paramount to the Penguins\u2019 success in this first quarter of the season.<\/p>\n<p>Although Pittsburgh has dealt with a dearth of <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/11\/04\/pittsburgh-penguins-trio-injured-reserve\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">injuries<\/a>, its best players have continued to be their best players. Captain <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/c\/crosbsi01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-11-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sidney Crosby<\/a> leads the team, and ties for the league lead (with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/gauthcu01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-11-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cutter Gauthier<\/a>), in goal-scoring with 11 goals through 15 games to go along with 19 points on the season. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/malkiev01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-11-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Evgeni Malkin<\/a> leads the team and co-leads the league (with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/mcdavco01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-11-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Connor McDavid<\/a>) in assists with 17, Malkin has 20 points on the season. Past them, rookie sensation <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kindebe01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-11-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Benjamin Kindel<\/a> has been a much needed spark plug for this organization. The 2025 11<sup>th <\/sup>-overall pick picked up a pair of assists against the Capitals, including an assist on Rust\u2019s game winner. Kindel has five goals and two assists through 12 games to start his NHL career. The Penguins will need these players to show up and produce against a high-octane Devils squad.<\/p>\n<h2>The Devil\u2019s Story<\/h2>\n<p>The New Jersey Devils have fully blossomed following a lengthy rebuild just a few years ago. Led by centres <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=2025-11-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jack Hughes<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/hischni01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-11-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nico Hischier<\/a>, New Jersey boasts the top record in the Metro and the Eastern Conference, going 10-4-0. The Devils come into this game having won against the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/canadiens\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Montreal Canadiens<\/a> 4-3 in overtime on Thursday night. Star Jack Hughes picked up three points in the game, while forward <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/brattje01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-11-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jesper Bratt<\/a> picked up the unassisted overtime winner. Like the Penguins, special teams have been a great source of success for the Devils. New Jersey\u2019s power play and penalty kill are both sixth-best in the league, with a power play percentage of 27%, and a penalty kill rate of 87.2%.<\/p>\n<p>The aforementioned Jack Hughes leads his team in scoring with 18 points, including ten goals, through 14 games. Behind him, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/brattje01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-11-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jesper Bratt<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/merceda01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-11-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dawson Mercer<\/a> are also point-per-game players, scoring 15 and 14 points, respectively. Another area the Devils get a lot of support from is the defence. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/n\/nemecsi01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-11-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Simon Nemec<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/hamildo01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-11-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dougie Hamilton<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/hughelu01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-11-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Luke Hughes<\/a> have all produced at a half-a-point-per-game pace or better from the backend. The Devils rely on systematic scoring from all of their lines, something that is sure to give the weaker Penguins\u2019 defence troubles in this contest.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>NHL Prediction<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Pittsburgh have been showing cracks in their games as of late. A fantastic start to the season has been followed by bad habits resurfacing, leading to blown leads and disappointing losses. Expect the high-flying New Jersey Devils to expose this weakness and build on their lead in the Eastern Conference standings.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>NHL Prediction:<\/strong>\u00a0Devils win 5-4.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Prop Bet for the Night<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>An excellent prop bet is the total goals over eight, with odds of +300. Pittsburgh and New Jersey have been high-scoring teams to start the year, while the Penguins have struggled to keep the puck out of their own net as of late. Although the Penguins may come out hot, they\u2019ve struggled to play a full 60 minutes, something the Devils are equipped to take advantage of.<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n<p><em>Please play responsibly, check for your local rules and age restrictions; some jurisdictions require ages 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Penguins visit Newark, New Jersey to take on the Devils. Welcome back to a Saturday edition of NHL Predictions here with Last Word On Hockey! Each day, we provide in-depth analysis, insights, and predictions for all the NHL\u2019s games. In today\u2019s matchup, the New Jersey Devils host the Pittsburgh Penguins in a Metropolitan meeting. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5231,"featured_media":434317,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_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":[12,4547,13,4548,4524],"tags":[6079,6123],"class_list":["post-477391","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-penguins","category-hockey","category-devils","category-nhl","category-nhl-predictions","tag-new-jersey-devils-predictions","tag-pittsburgh-penguins-predictions"],"modified_by":"Levi Pike, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/477391","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\/5231"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=477391"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/477391\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":477425,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/477391\/revisions\/477425"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/434317"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=477391"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=477391"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=477391"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}