The NHL provides us with a five-game slate on Sunday, March 5, including this inter-conference tilt in Arizona, and here you can read the best Devils vs. Coyotes betting pick and odds.

Arizona is looking to avoid the third loss in a row when they host New Jersey at Mullett Arena. The Devils are massive -417 moneyline favorites on Jazz Sportsbook, while the total is set at 6.5 goals. These inter-conference rivals will meet for the second time this season; the Devils won 4-2 in New Jersey.

Devils couldn’t edge the Golden Knights in SO

The New Jersey Devils (40-15-3-3, 33-28 ATS) were on a three-game winning streak and opened a three-game road trip with a 7-5 victory over the Colorado Avalanche, but lost the next one to the Vegas Golden Knights. Despite that loss in Las Vegas, the Devils managed to get a point as they were edged out in the shootout and kept 3rd place in the Eastern Conference. New Jersey now has 86 points, 15 behind the best team in the league – Boston Bruins.

The Devils opened the game in Vegas on a high note and had a 2-1 lead after the first period but the Golden Knights entered the final ten minutes of regulation with a 3-2 lead. New Jersey forced overtime through Miles Wood; however, following a scoreless OT, the hosts were better in the penalty shootout and won 4-3. The Devils had even 50 shots opposite Vegas’ 27. This year, Jack Hughes is the most productive New Jersey player with 75 points (G 36, A 39). Dougie Hamilton has 59 (G 18, A 41), Jesper Bratt chips in 58 (G 25, A 33), and Nico Hischier contributes 57 points (G 26, A 31).

Vitek Vanecek (26-6-3) is a probable goaltender against Arizona on Sunday. The 27-year-old is surrendering 2.46 goals per game this season with a .910 SV% and two shutouts.

G Jonathan Bernier (hip) and G MacKenzie Blackwood (lower body) are out indefinitely. LW Timo Meier (upper body) is questionable to feature in Arizona on Sunday.

Coyotes’ defense couldn’t handle the Hurricanes

The Arizona Coyotes (21-32-6-3, 32-30 ATS) lost four of their previous five games and conceded six goals for the third time over that stretch. The Coyotes are on a three-game losing skid; the most recent defeat came to the Carolina Hurricanes at home, and that loss opened Arizona’s four-game home stand. At the moment, the Coyotes stand in 13th position in the Western Conference with 51 points, only four ahead of the bottom-placed Chicago Blackhawks.

Arizona didn’t have a chance against the Hurricanes as the visitors got to a 3-0 lead early in the second period and controlled the situation for the remainder of the tilt to celebrate a comfortable 6-1 victory. The Coyotes attempted just 18 shots at Carolina’s goal; Lawson Crouse scored the only goal for the hosts. Arizona has only one player among the top 100 in the NHL when it comes to points – Clayton Keller, who collected 59 points (G 25, A 34) thus far.

Karel Vejmelka (16-19-5) is expected to start between the sticks against the Devils on Sunday. The 26-year-old is allowing 3.39 goals per contest this season with a .902 SV% and three shutouts.

LW Andrew Ladd (knee) and RW Jakub Voracek (concussion) are out indefinitely. RW Christian Fischer (illness) is questionable to play on Sunday against the Devils.

Trends:

New Jersey:

  • 20-6 in the last 26 vs. a team with a losing record
  • 22-7 in the last 29 road games
  • 21-8 in the last 29 vs. Western Conference rivals

Arizona:

  • 4-9 in the last 13 Sunday games
  • 3-7 in the last ten vs. Eastern Conference opponents
  • 5-12 in the last 17 games following a home loss of three or more goals

New Jersey Devils vs. Arizona Coyotes Pick

The Devils are a better team in every segment. New Jersey has the fourth-best offense in the NHL that scores 3.56 goals per game opposite Arizona’s 2.65 goals per contest. The visitors also have the top 10 defense that allows 2.67 gpg, while the Coyotes allow 3.53 gpg. Considering how badly Arizona’s defense is at the moment and the fact that they conceded 4+ goals in four of the last five games, I am backing the Devils to get an easy victory on Sunday.

Pick: Take the Devils at -1.5 Puck Line (-120)

The Total

New Jersey scored at least three goals in six of the previous seven games and even 21 goals in the last four games. Arizona’s defense is quite porous and I’d be surprised if the visitors fail to score a minimum of four goals here. The Devils managed to do that in a 4-2 win over the Coyotes earlier this season. Over is 5-0 in the Devils’ last five overall; Over is 5-1 in New Jersey’s previous six vs. a team with a losing record, while Over is 12-5 in the Coyotes’ last 17 vs. Eastern Conference rivals.

Pick: Go Over 6.5 goals (-110)