This is a FREE PLAY on the New Jersey Devils.
These teams are evenly matched, but the home side comes in as the more motivated club and I expect it to find a way to get the job done at the end of the night.
The Wings are 13-8 overall, and 3-1 in their last four after a tough OT home win over Columbus. But after three straight home contests, I think Detroit will have difficulty maintaining its motivation here in this particular contest.
The Devils are 13-7 overall, but they return home after going 2-3 on their road trip, including losing the final three. Because of the way that road trip ended with three straight losses, it's safe to say that the Devils won't be "looking past" their dangerous opponent on Monday night.
Overall the Wings are averaging 2.9 goals per game, which ranks 25th, while conceding 3.2, which ranks 23rd.
The Devils, on the other hand, are averaging 3.0 goals per game, which ranks 18th, while allowing 3.0 goals per game as well, which is also ranked 18th.
Cam Talbot is 9-2 with a 2.66 goals against for Detroit, while Jakob Markstrom 5-3-1 with a 3.83 GAA for the Devils.
Talbot has the better stats to this point, but I believe these goaltenders are essentially a "wash," especially with Markstrom getting the advantage of playing at home.
Detroit has exceeded expectations to this point, but regression does feel imminent at some point to me. While the Wings enter with a pedestrian 5-4 road record, the Devils enter with a perfect 7-0-1 record at home.
IF New Jersey lost its first two games of that road trip, and then won the final three, I'd almost assuredly be going against the Devils in this spot.
But after the three straight losses, I expect the focused and determined home side to risk life and limb today to find a way to get the job done.
Considering the overwhelming situational circumstances working in favor of the Devils in this spot in my opinion, I believe this is a very fair price to pay on the home side in this matchup.
Consider NEW JERSEY on Monday.
Good luck, NP
