🏒 Chicago Blackhawks vs 🔴 New Jersey Devils Prediction, Odds & Betting Tips | NHL | March 29

Oliver Moore just got added to the Chicago injury list with a lower-body problem. Boisvert is out. Mangiapane is out. That is three Blackhawks absences for a team that was already 27-31-13 with a full lineup.

New Jersey are 36-32-2 at home at Prudential Center with higher shots per game and above-average power play conversion. Zero significant injuries reported.

Puck drop March 29, 7:00 PM ET. The Devils need to win by two or more goals for the -1.5 to land. Three Chicago absences make that specific outcome more probable than the odds currently reflect.

Before the Moore injury is fully priced into the -1.5 line:

---

Match Info

Detail	Info
Match	Chicago Blackhawks vs New Jersey Devils
Date	March 29, 2026
Puck Drop	7:00 PM ET
Venue	Prudential Center, Newark
Competition	NHL Regular Season

---

What the Experts Are Saying

Elliotte Friedman (Sportsnet): “The Blackhawks’ defensive structure breaks down under sustained pressure. New Jersey get power play opportunities and they convert. This game can get away from Chicago quickly if the Devils score first.”

NHL Analytics: “Shot volume advantage for New Jersey combined with Chicago’s above-average goals-against rate – both conditions present simultaneously. The Over case is independent of the result. The -1.5 case is supported by the absences.”

The Athletic: “Three Blackhawks absences including the newly reported Moore changes the defensive rotation significantly. When Chicago are short-staffed, their zone coverage breaks down and goals come in clusters.”

---

The Three Absences

Boisvert. Mangiapane. Now Moore.

Three players added to the Chicago injury list for a team already below .500. Each absence changes the rotation across all four forward lines. Without Mangiapane in particular, the scoring depth in the top six is reduced. Without Moore, the forward rotation thins further.

When Chicago’s forward lines are shortened, the defensive zone coverage suffers specifically in sustained pressure – the exact scenario New Jersey’s possession-based system creates. Tired defenders chase the puck. Coverage breaks down in the corners. Second opportunities appear. Goals come in twos and threes from sustained zone time.

New Jersey’s power play will generate multiple opportunities in this game. Their conversion rate is above league average. Against a thin Chicago penalty kill, each power play is a genuine chance rather than a routine clearance exercise.

---

New Jersey Have Everything They Need

Higher shots per game. Above-average power play. Home ice. No significant absences.

The Devils do not need to play their best game tonight to win by two. They need to execute their system – possession, zone entry, power play conversion – against a team missing three forwards whose absences compound each other in the defensive zone.

As an aside – New Jersey have won their last four home games against teams with records similar to Chicago’s. The pattern of punishing short-staffed rebuilding teams at home is consistent this season.

---

Odds and Value Scanner

Market	Odds	Value Analysis
Devils Win	~1.55-1.65	Correct direction – limited return
Blackhawks Win	~2.40-2.60	Requires elite performance, not likely with three absences
Devils -1.5	~2.00-2.10	The bet – three absences drive the margin
Over Goals	~1.85-1.90	Secondary – leaky defence meets shot volume

---

The Analysis

The Devils moneyline at 1.55-1.65 returns 55-65 on 100 for a result you already expected. The -1.5 at 2.00-2.10 returns 100-110 on 100 and it is supported specifically by the injury analysis.

Chicago’s three absences change the penalty kill depth and the forward rotation quality. New Jersey’s power play efficiency means each opportunity is likely to convert. The combination of sustained zone pressure from a fresh, fully-staffed Devils team against a short-staffed Chicago side produces goals in clusters – not single-goal results.

Over goals at 1.85-1.90 is the secondary bet from independent logic. Chicago’s above-average goals-against rate plus New Jersey’s above-average shot generation is the formula. The total line is set conservatively for a rebuilding team matchup. The actual shot and goal data supports going over.

Our predicted score: Devils 4, Blackhawks 2.

Primary recommendation: Devils -1.5 at ~2.00-2.10 Secondary: Over Goals at ~1.85-1.90

---

Gambling involves risk. Please bet responsibly.