NHL Hockey
2008-01-29 - Pittsburgh Penguins at New Jersey Devils
A Sports Betting Pick by Grga
Tue Jan 29, 2008 -- 7:00 pm EST
New Jersey (28-18-3)
Only two things are certin when New Jersey plays: it eant be a pretty game and you want see much goals.Most of their 28 wins in this season New Jersey won after a hard defensive battle.
This team alowed only 114 goals this season and that is second best stat in league (only Detroit conceded less goals with 106) but New Jersey struggles in offense having scored only 121 goals.
New Jersey is one of the teams that didn’t have players in All Stars game. Instead they used this 5 day break to rest and prepare for tough schedule.Only (LW)Jay Pandolfo is on injured reserve.
Pittsburgh (27-18-4)
Injury list in Pittsburgh:
(C) Sydney Crosby (20G, 43A in 46 games played)
(RW) Adam Hall (2G, 4A in 44 games played)
(LW) Gary Roberts (3G, 12A in 37 games played)
(D) Mark Eaton (0G, 3A in 36 games played)
(RW) Colby Armstrong (6G, 14A in 42 games played)
(G) Marc-Andre Fleury (2.90 GAA and .902 SV%)
First time in 3 seasons Pittsbourgh will play without Sidney Crosby and that is huge loss and the main goal for Penguins is to stay healthy and stay in contention for playoffs.
STATS COMPARISON
New Jersey home 14-8-0 *** Pittsburgh away 14-9-1
Current form (last 5 games)
New Jersey L-L-W-W-L *** Pittsburgh W-L-W-OTL-L
GFA
New Jersey 2.44 (25th) *** Pittsburgh 2.75 (12th)
GAA
New Jersey 2.30 (4th) *** Pittsburgh 2.61 (9th)
Power Play (%)
New Jersey 16.4(21st) *** Pittsburgh 19.5 (6th)
Penalty Kill (%)
New Jersey 83.2 (11th) *** Pittsburgh 80.6 (23rd)
HEAD TO HEAD THIS SEASON
22.11.2007 Pittsburgh - New Jersey 1:2
13.11.2007 Pittsburgh - New Jersey 2:3
06.11.2007 New Jersey - Pittsburgh 0:5
18.10.2007 Pittsburgh - New Jersey 4:5
THE VERDICT
NHL is going into the business end of the season. The Atlantic Division is realy tight and only 5 points are between first team-Philadelphia with 59 pts and last NY Rangers with 54 pts.
A win in this division matchup would mean much for both teams. New Jersey is in far better position than injury ravaged Pittsburgh.
