Oilers vs Devils Odds, Predictions and Best NHL Pick on New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31)

• The Edmonton Oilers are -170 away favorites over the New Jersey Devils in the NHL afternoon game slated for Friday, December 31
• New Jersey beat the Buffalo Sabres 4-3 on Wednesday
• Edmonton lost 4-2 to the St Louis Blues on Wednesday

The New Jersey Devils ended their skid on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers, who were just coming out of their own funk when COVID-19 shut down the NHL, returned to their losing ways.

Playing for the first time since December 19, the Devils edged the Buffalo Sabres 4-3 on Wednesday. The Oilers also returned to the ice Wednesday and were 4-2 losers to the Blues in St Louis.

Friday, as New Jersey plays host to the Oilers, it’s visiting Edmonton that sportsbooks are listing as the -170 favorites. The Oilers are 8-5 straight up on the road this season but just 6-7 against the spread.

Oilers vs Devils Odds

Odds as of December 30th at FanDuel.

The puck will drop a 1pm ET at Prudential Arena in this New Year’s Eve afternoon contest.

Oilers vs Devils NHL Betting Trends

It continues to be the Leon and Connor show in Edmonton. Oilers forwards Leon Draisaitl (24-26-50) and Connor McDavid (17 -32-50) rank first and second in NHL scoring. Draisaitl’s 24 goals lead the NHL.

Connor McDavid (@cmcdavid97) is on another level. ? pic.twitter.com/7HOdHQ1o7v

— NHL (@NHL) December 30, 2021

McDavid has 4-10-14 totals in his last 11 games. Draisaitl has accounted for nine two-goal games, three four-point games and seven three-point games this season.

Oilers vs Devils Recent Results

Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt each accounted for a goal and two assists as the Devils edged the Sabres. Bratt has recorded 27 points in his last 25 games.

Happy Hughes Year’s Eve Eve Eve! pic.twitter.com/Z4KeUxBmHi

— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) December 30, 2021

The Devils are 7-7-3 at home this season but just 1-5-2 in their past eight home games. New Jersey averages 8.9 penalty minutes per game, the eighth-most in the Eastern Conference. That doesn’t bode well facing Edmonton’s top-rated power play, which is clicking at 31.5%.

Oilers vs Devils Injury Report

Edmonton is listing defenseman Darnell Nurse and William Lagesson and forwards Jesse Puljujarvi and Zack Kassian in COVID-19 protocols. Defenseman Oscar Klefbom (shoulder) and Kris Russell (upper body), forward Josh Archibald (heart) and goalie Alex Stalock (heart) are also out. The Oilers expect to have Puljujarvi, Nurse and Lagesson available for this game.

As mentioned on tonight’s broadcast it is expected that Jesse Puljujarvi, Darnell Nurse and William Lagesson will be joining the @EdmontonOilers tomorrow in New York City

— Bob Stauffer (@Bob_Stauffer) December 30, 2021

For the Devils, forwards Jimmy Vesey and Tomas Tatar and goalie Gillies are in COVID-19 protocol. Forward Miles Wood (hip) and Tyce Thompson (upper body) and goaltender Bernier (hip) are out as well.

Devils, Oilers Seeking Stability In Goal

New Jersey set a franchise record on December 19 when Jon Gillies became the sixth Devils goaltender to play in game this season. Mackenize Blackwood, Jonathan Bernier, Akira Schmid, Nico Daws and Scott Wedgewood were the other New Jersey puckstoppers.

Steve Cangialosi just said on the post-game show that Mackenzie Blackwood is still dealing with pain in his heel and that it's something he's going to play through the rest of the season #NJDevils

— Alex Chauvancy (@AlexC_THW) December 30, 2021

They got #1 man Blackwood (neck injury) back for Wednesday’s triumph over the Sabres. That was his first victory since a 25-save 3-0 shutout of the Philadelphia Flyers on December 8.

Oilers vs Devils Projected Starting Goalies

The Oilers also get their #1 netminder back on Wednesday. Mike Smith made his first start after missing two months with an undisclosed injury. Stuart Skinner and Mikko Koskinen carried the load minus Smith.

Mike Smith will start tomorrow in New Jersey, per Dave Tippett. Mikko Koskinen likely gets the start on New Years Day against the Islanders.

— Oilers News and Updates (@oilersaccess) December 30, 2021

Edmonton coach Dave Tippett plans to play Smith in consecutive games. In 10 career starts against New Jersey, Smith is 5-2-3 with a .905 save percentage and 2.23 GAA in 10 career starts against New Jersey.

Wild vs Stars Pick and Prediction

As a team, the Devils are averaging 2.5 goals per game over their past 10 games. McDavid and Draisaitl combined are averaging 1.36 goals per game and creating 3.33 goals per game.

Tomorrow when the #NJDevils host the Oilers, it will be the first time Mike McLeod faces his younger brother Ryan at the NHL level.

— Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) December 30, 2021

Even with Wednesday’s win, the Devils are 2-9-1 over their past 12 games. They haven’t won two in a row since November 9-11. The Oilers are just 2-7 in their last nine games but 5-7 through the past 12 contests.

Pick: Edmonton Oilers ML -170 at FanDuel Sportsbook

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