Minnesota (41-28-5) at New Jersey (39-29-7)
- When: Mar 31 2025, 7:00 PM
- Where: Prudential Center, Newark, NJ, USA
- TV: MSGSN
Wild vs Devils Preview & Prediction
Moneyline Favorite: New Jersey -160 | Total: 5.5 Goals
The New Jersey Devils return home on Monday night for a rematch against the Minnesota Wild, just two days after dominating them 5-2 on the road. Oddsmakers have the Devils as -160 moneyline favorites with the total sitting at 5.5.
Devils Outlook & Betting Angle
New Jersey (39-29-7, 85 points) is pushing to climb the Metropolitan Division standings, sitting just behind Carolina for second place while maintaining a comfortable edge over third-place New York. After a disappointing shutout loss to Winnipeg on Friday, the Devils bounced back in a big way on Saturday, setting the tone with a goal just 28 seconds into the game.
Nico Hischier stole the show with a hat trick, setting a personal best with 33 goals on the season. He’s been on fire lately, logging points in nine of his last 10 games and racking up seven goals in that stretch. Jesper Bratt also contributed two assists, and the Devils got solid goaltending from Jacob Markstrom, who stopped 22 shots.
With momentum on their side and a strong performance in their last home outing, the Devils are in a good spot to keep rolling. They’ve won two of their last three and appear locked in on both ends. Expect New Jersey to come out aggressive again, especially after how easily they controlled Saturday’s meeting.
Wild Outlook & Betting Angle
Minnesota (41-28-5, 87 points) is neck-and-neck with St. Louis in the Western wild-card race and needs a bounce-back effort after losing three of their last four. The Wild sit just six points behind Colorado for third in the Central Division and are about to begin a critical three-game road trip, where they’ve been excellent this season with a 22-11-3 record.
Marcus Foligno and Ryan Hartman scored in Saturday’s loss, but Minnesota looked flat from the opening puck drop. Filip Gustavsson gave up five goals on 33 shots, and the team never fully recovered from an early two-goal deficit.
The good news for Minnesota is the possible return of Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek, both of whom rejoined full practice and could see game action soon. Their presence would add immediate offensive firepower, but their availability for Monday remains uncertain.
Prediction & Betting Recommendation
Given New Jersey’s recent form and strong performance in the last matchup, the Devils are worth backing on home ice. They’ve got the edge in energy, execution, and momentum, while Minnesota’s inconsistencies—especially early in games—remain a concern.
Pick: Devils -160
Prediction: Devils 4, Wild 2
Over/Under Lean: Over 5.5 – Both teams can score, and the Wild’s defense has shown cracks recently.
- NHL Odds source: MYBookie Sportsbook
