The New Jersey Devils future Hall of Fame goalie Martin Brodeur returns between the pipes tonight for a battle against the Colorado Avalanche. The New Jersey Devils (38-19-1-2) host the Colorado Avalanche (28-32-0-1) for some hard hitting NHL action. NHL oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com have the Devils as -220 moneyline favs over the Avs with the over/under listed at 5 ½ goals. Get your New Jersey Devils vs Colorado Avalanche NHL Prediction in now at Sportsbook.com
The Avs recently lost to the Thrashers 3-4 on the road despite goals from Milan Hejduk (2) and Chris Stewart. They went 1-for-6 with the man advantage and allowed two short-handed goals against the Thrashers. The Avs are 17-14 on the road where they average 2.20 GAG and give up an average 3.27 GAG. They are 2-3 in their last five road games where they’ve averaged 3.40 GAG and given up an average 3.60 GAG. Andrew Raycroft will be back in goal after sitting out Tuesday. He's 12-8-0 with a 2.99 GAA this season and 4-4-0 with a 2.77 GAA versus New Jersey. After missing 26 games with a broken arm, Paul Stastny returned Tuesday and assisted on the first goal by Hejduk, who has three goals and four assists in his last five contests.
The Devils were shutout by the Islanders 0-4 on the road. The Devils are 19-10-0-1 at home where they average 3.17 GAG and give up an average 2.57 GAG. They are 4-1 in their last five home games where they’ve averaged 3.00 GAG and given up an average 2.00 GAG. Goalie Martin Brodeur is back in net after four months off, his 544 career wins are seven short of tying Patrick Roy's NHL record, was hurt against Atlanta on Nov. 1 and had surgery to repair a torn biceps muscle in his left elbow. He missed 50 games while recovering and rehabilitating from the first significant injury of his 15-year career. "We do something pretty cool playing hockey, so I am excited every game to play," said Brodeur, who is 6-2-2 with a 2.16 goals-against average this season. "But definitely there is a little more emphasis on this. I have not played in a long time and I want to get out there and see how it goes. Thanks to solid play in goal from Scott Clemmensen and Kevin Weekes, New Jersey went 32-17-1 without Brodeur and leads the Atlantic Division with the third-most points in the Eastern Conference.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Under is 5-1 in Devils last 6 Thursday games.
- Under is 8-2-1 in Devils last 11 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
- Over is 6-2 in Devils last 8 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
- Under is 6-2 in Devils last 8 following a loss of 3 or more goals.
- Under is 5-2 in Devils last 7 overall.
- Devils are 4-0 in their last 4 home games.
- Devils are 4-0 in their last 4 games following a loss of 3 or more goals.
New Jersey Devils vs Colorado Avalanche NHL Prediction
When: Thurs, Feb 26, 2009 7:00 PM ET
Line: Sportsbook.com
Pick: Devils -220
Point-Spreads.com New Jersey Devils vs Colorado Avalanche NHL Prediction
The Bottom Line: with Brodeur back in net their defense won’t have to worry about their goalie anymore, not that they didn’t do good without him. Go Devils! Get your New Jersey Devils vs Colorado Avalanche NHL Prediction in now at Sportsbook.com and receive a 10% sign-up bonus on your initial deposit!
