Another inter-conference duel awaits us in the NHL on Monday, January 16, so make sure you don’t miss out on the best Devils vs. Sharks betting pick and odds.

New Jersey is looking for the fifth consecutive victory when they visit San Jose at SAP Center. The Devils are -188 moneyline favorites on BetUS Sportsbook, while the total is set at 6.5 goals. These inter-conference rivals have met once this year, and the Devils won 2-1 in New Jersey.

Devils are hot on the road

The New Jersey Devils (28-12-2-1, 26-17 ATS) are on a four-game winning streak after winning the opening three games of a five-game road trip. The Devils beat the Hurricanes and then traveled to California where they defeated the Ducks and Kings. New Jersey scored 20 goals in this four-game winning run. After this upcoming clash with San Jose, the Devils will meet Seattle and then will return home to host Pittsburgh and Vegas.

The Devils scored three goals in the second period in a 5-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings and Mackenzie Blackwood saved a penalty in the third period before Jesper Bratt sealed a W with an empty-netter. Blackwood registered 35 saves, while Ryan Graves, Jack Hughes, and Yegor Sharangovich chipped in two points apiece on the other end. This season, Hughes leads New Jersey with 54 points (G 28, A 26) and is 8th in the NHL in that segment. Bratt has 43 (G 18, A 25), while Nico Hischier contributed 41 points (G 19, A 22).

Vitek Vanecek (17-5-2) will return between the sticks against the Sharks on Monday. The 27-year-old is allowing 2.35 goals per game this year with a .914 SV% and two shutouts.

G Jonathan Bernier (hip), LW Ondrej Palat (groin), and RW Nathan Bastian (upper body) are out indefinitely and won’t be available in San Jose on Monday.

Sharks were dismantled by Edmonton in San Jose

The San Jose Sharks (13-23-4-4, 22-22 ATS) opened a three-game homestay with a blowout 7-1 defeat against the Edmonton Oilers. It was the biggest loss of the season for the Sharks, who lost ten of the last 13 games. Following this clash with New Jersey on Wednesday, San Jose will host Dallas on Wednesday and then will spend eight games on the road.

The Oilers had a commanding 7-0 lead in San Jose when Oskar Lindblom managed to score one goal for the Sharks and soften that defeat a bit. Edmonton deserved to win after attempting 41 shots opposite San Jose’s 26. So far this year, Erik Karlsson is San Jose’s most prolific producer on offense with 56 points (G 13, A 43), and is in the top 10 in the NHL. Timo Meier has 43 points (G 24, A 19), Tomas Hertl is following him with 39 (G 14, A 25), while Logan Couture chipped in 35 points (G 15, A 20).

James Reimer (7-13-3) is taking his place in the cage for the Sharks against the Devils on Monday. The 34-year-old is surrendering 3.26 goals per contest this season with a .895 SV% and one shutout.

LW Matt Nieto (undisclosed), D Markus Nutivaara (lower body), and D Radim Simek (upper body) are out indefinitely and will not play on Monday against the Devils.

Trends:

New Jersey:

  • 4-0 in the last four overall
  • 10-1 in the last 11 vs. Pacific Division rivals
  • 20-7 in the last 27 road games

San Jose:

  • 8-20 in the last 28 vs. Eastern Conference opponents
  • 3-8 in the last 11 after allowing five goals or more in their previous game
  • 5-17 in the last 22 games following a loss of three or more goals

New Jersey Devils vs. San Jose Sharks Pick  

The advantage is clear on the Devils’ side for multiple reasons. New Jersey has the second-best defense in the NHL that allows 2.61 goals per game opposite San Jose’s D which concedes 37.3 goals per contest and is among the weakest defenses in the league. When it comes to offense, the Devils average 3.53 goals per game, while the Sharks score 3.02 gpg. Considering the current form and the strength of the respective squads, I am backing the Devils to get another easy victory. Hughes, Bratt, and Hischier are going to slice San Jose’s defense open.

Pick: Take the Devils at -1 Puck Line (+115)

The Total

Reimer surrendered 4+ goals in five of his previous six starts, and given how good the Devils are looking at the moment, I can only back the visitors to score 4+ here. They managed to do it in seven of the last eight games, so that shouldn’t be a problem for New Jersey. It’s important noting that New Jersey did allow 2+ in 16 of the last 17 games, and the Sharks will likely score at least two on Monday. Over is 5-0 in the Devils’ last five overall, while Over is 15-4-2 in the Sharks’ previous 21 home games.

Pick: Go Over 6.5 goals (-110)