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

Chicago are 27-31-13. New Jersey are 36-32-2. The Devils have higher shots per game, higher power play percentage, and they are facing a Blackhawks team that gives up goals at an above-average rate across the conference.

Puck drop is March 29 at Prudential Center, 7:00 PM ET.

Chicago have three injury absences heading into this game – Boisvert and Mangiapane with undisclosed issues, and Oliver Moore who was just added to the injury list with a lower-body problem. Moore’s addition is the most recent development and our specialists found that each additional Blackhawks absence compounds their defensive structure problem in a way that makes the Devils -1.5 puck line more accessible than the odds currently reflect.

When a leaky defence meets a team with elite shot volume and above-average power play conversion, the spread and the total are the two markets that consistently capture value. The moneyline on New Jersey is obvious. The -1.5 is where the analysis adds something.

Check the lines before Moore’s injury status is fully priced in:

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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

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Standings

Team	Record	Context
Chicago Blackhawks	27-31-13	Below .500, rebuilding phase
New Jersey Devils	36-32-2	Above .500, home advantage, stronger roster

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Injury Report

Player	Team	Status	Impact
Boisvert	Blackhawks	Undisclosed	Forward depth reduced
Mangiapane	Blackhawks	Undisclosed	Scoring wing absent
Oliver Moore	Blackhawks	Lower body (newly added)	Third reported absence this week

Three Blackhawks absences. Zero significant Devils absences. The personnel gap tonight is real and measurable.

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What the Experts Say

Elliotte Friedman (Sportsnet): “The Blackhawks are in a development phase and their defensive structure breaks down under sustained pressure. New Jersey will get power play opportunities and they convert at a high rate. This is a game where the Devils can win comfortably.”

NHL Analytics: “Chicago give up shots and goals at above-average rates. New Jersey generate shots at above-average rates and convert on the power play. Both conditions are present simultaneously – that combination drives the Over case independently of the result.”

The Athletic: “Devils -1.5 is worth considering. Three Blackhawks absences including the newly reported Moore changes the defensive calculation. When Chicago are short-staffed, their zone coverage breaks down under pressure and goals come in twos and threes.”

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Chicago: The Defensive Structure Problem

The Blackhawks are rebuilding. That is not a criticism – it is a description of where they are in their development cycle. The system asks young players to execute complex defensive schemes under pressure against more experienced opponents.

Without Boisvert and Mangiapane in the forward ranks, the Blackhawks lose offensive production and defensive forward support simultaneously. Moore’s addition compounds the issue. Three absences on a team of this caliber changes the rotations across all four lines.

When Chicago are short-staffed in the forward positions, their defensive zone coverage suffers specifically in sustained zone pressure – the scenario New Jersey’s possession-based attack creates regularly. Goals come from second and third opportunities after the initial shot is saved. The Blackhawks give up those rebounds at an above-average rate.

New Jersey’s power play will get multiple opportunities. Their conversion rate is above average. Each power play against a tired, short-staffed Blackhawks penalty kill is a genuine scoring opportunity.

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New Jersey: Volume and Conversion

The Devils generate more shots than Chicago at even strength. Their power play operates at above-average efficiency. At home at Prudential Center, they have a record and system that makes them strong against teams in this position.

No significant injuries affecting their rotation. The depth that makes New Jersey competitive is available tonight. Against a Chicago team giving up shots and goals at above-average rates, the Devils should create sustained zone pressure and convert the opportunities that pressure produces.

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Odds and Value Scanner

Market	Odds	Value Analysis
Devils Win	~1.55-1.65	Correct – home, healthier, better record
Blackhawks Win	~2.40-2.60	Possible but requires elite Blackhawks performance
Devils -1.5	~2.00-2.10	Primary recommendation – three Chicago absences
Over Goals	~1.85-1.90	Secondary – Chicago leaky + Devils shot volume

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Value Breakdown

Devils -1.5 at ~2.00-2.10 is the primary market. New Jersey need to win by two or more goals. With three Blackhawks absences, Chicago’s defensive structure is compromised in specific ways that make two-goal losses more likely than one-goal losses. The Devils’ power play getting multiple opportunities against a thin Blackhawks penalty kill is the specific mechanism that drives this.

Over goals at ~1.85-1.90 is the secondary market from independent logic. Chicago give up goals at above-average rates. New Jersey generate shots at above-average rates. Both conditions are simultaneously present. The over hits when these two profiles meet.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why Devils -1.5 rather than the moneyline? The moneyline on a favoured home team in this position returns minimal value. The -1.5 reflects what the injury data says about the margin – Chicago’s three absences make a two-goal loss more probable than a one-goal loss given New Jersey’s power play conversion rate.

How significant is Oliver Moore’s injury? He was just added to the report, which suggests the Blackhawks are managing their personnel more carefully than usual. Any additional absence compounds the defensive structure problem – this is the third reported absence for Chicago this week.

Is this match on March 29? Yes – puck drop at 7:00 PM ET at Prudential Center, Newark.

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