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Devils vs. Penguins prediction: Why Pittsburgh is favored to win Thursday's NHL matchup [1/8/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Nick Slade, Chief Content Officer
Get New Jersey Devils vs Pittsburgh Penguins predictions for NHL Thursday.
NHL action continues on Thursday at 7:00 PM ET as the New Jersey Devils lock horns with the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.
Based on the latest simulation results, Dimers' advanced NHL model gives the Penguins a slight edge with a 53% win probability over the Devils.
This article offers further insights into Thursday's Devils vs. Penguins matchup, including projected goal scorers, best bets and player prop picks.
Devils vs. Penguins prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using innovative machine learning and data, we have simulated the result of Thursday's NHL matchup between the Devils and Penguins 10,000 times as part of our NHL predictions coverage.
Our famous predictive model currently gives the Penguins a 53% chance of beating the Devils.
According to our model, the Devils (+1.5) have a 69% chance of covering the puck line, while the over/under total of six goals has a 52% chance of staying under.
Devils vs. Penguins odds
We have researched the best NHL odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Devils | Penguins |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | +1.5 (-265) | -1.5 (+215) |
| Moneyline | -106 | -110 |
| Total | o6 (-130) | u6 (+100) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Devils vs. Penguins picks and best bet
After matching our predictions against the best current odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | Penguins -1.5 | +215 |
| Moneyline | Penguins | -110 |
| Total | Under 6 | +100 |
According to our NHL best bets, the top play to make on this game is Under 6 total goals.
Devils vs. Penguins player props
Who will score a goal in Devils vs. Penguins?
According to our model, Nico Hischier is most likely to score an anytime goal in Devils vs. Penguins.
Our projections give Hischier a 34.7% chance of scoring a goal at PPG Paints Arena, while the star is a 7.0% chance of netting the first goal the game.
Anytime goal scorer predictions
New Jersey Devils
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Nico Hischier | 34.7% |
| Jack Hughes | 30.2% |
| Timo Meier | 29.0% |
| Jesper Bratt | 24.3% |
| Arseny Gritsyuk | 21.0% |
Pittsburgh Penguins
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Sidney Crosby | 34.0% |
| Bryan Rust | 32.8% |
| Rickard Rakell | 29.8% |
| Evgeni Malkin | 25.7% |
| Thomas Novak | 22.5% |
First goal scorer predictions
New Jersey Devils
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Nico Hischier | 7.0% |
| Jack Hughes | 5.7% |
| Timo Meier | 4.9% |
| Jesper Bratt | 4.5% |
| Arseny Gritsyuk | 4.2% |
Pittsburgh Penguins
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Sidney Crosby | 7.2% |
| Bryan Rust | 6.7% |
| Rickard Rakell | 5.5% |
| Evgeni Malkin | 4.8% |
| Thomas Novak | 4.1% |
Devils vs. Penguins game-day updates and essential details
Thursday's action between the Penguins and Devils at PPG Paints Arena is scheduled to start at 7:00 PM ET.
- Who: New Jersey Devils vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
- Date: Thursday, January 8, 2026
- Time: 7:00 PM ET/4:00PM PT
- Venue: PPG Paints Arena
Conclusion
We predict the Penguins, with a 53% win probability, will likely beat the Devils on Thursday.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Devils vs. Penguins insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are drawn from the latest data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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Nick Slade, with nearly two decades of experience, is the Chief Content Officer at Cipher Sports Technology Group, overseeing content for Dimers. He specializes in soccer, NBA, and NHL betting, leveraging predictive analytics and machine learning to provide accurate betting insights.
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