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Chicago Blackhawks vs New Jersey Devils Picks and Predictions – March 29, 2026
This matchup matters more for New Jersey than the standings line might suggest. The Devils are still trying to finish the season with some traction, and they get a favorable home spot against a Chicago team that has struggled to hold structure against stronger offensive clubs. The market reflects that. New Jersey is the clear favorite, and the handicap starts with whether the Blackhawks can survive five-on-five pressure long enough to keep this game inside one goal.
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Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM ET at Prudential Center, with NHLN carrying the broadcast. Chicago enters at 27-33-13 after getting run over 6-1 by the Rangers, while New Jersey comes in off a 5-2 loss to Carolina. Neither team is in perfect form, but there is still a meaningful difference in roster quality, offensive volume, and home-ice control. That gap is why the Devils are being priced as the side more likely to dictate the game.
The betting story is fairly clear. Chicago has enough top-end skill from Connor Bedard and Tyler Bertuzzi to create danger if the game gets loose, but New Jersey has the better chance to own possession, drive the shot count, and force the Blackhawks into long defensive stretches. If the Devils get their usual volume and enough saves behind it, the favorite should control most of the night.
Chicago Blackhawks vs New Jersey Devils Odds
The current NHL market has New Jersey favored at home, and bettors watching the latest NHL odds should monitor whether the puck line price becomes more attractive closer to puck drop.
| Market | Pick / Odds |
|---|---|
| Moneyline | Chicago Blackhawks +145 / New Jersey Devils -171 |
| Puck Line | Chicago Blackhawks +1.5 (-179) / New Jersey Devils -1.5 (+144) |
| Total | Over 6.0 / Under 6.0 |
Chicago Blackhawks Betting Form
The Chicago Blackhawks team page shows a team that can still produce isolated offense, but too often gives games away through defensive breakdowns and uneven game control. The 6-1 loss to the Rangers was another example. Chicago generated 28 shots and did not completely disappear physically, but once the game tilted, it had no answer defensively. That matters here because New Jersey is one of the stronger shot-volume teams in the league, and the Devils do not need many invitations to build pressure.
Chicago’s best path comes from opportunistic offense. The power play has been good enough to remain relevant, and that gives the Blackhawks some upset potential if they get whistles and convert quickly. Bedard’s 30 goals and Bertuzzi’s 29 are the obvious drivers there. Those two can keep Chicago alive if the game opens up or if the Devils get careless with penalties. The issue is that Chicago rarely sustains enough five-on-five control to make that approach reliable for a full 60 minutes.
Availability also matters because the Blackhawks are thin enough that missing depth pieces can affect matchups quickly. Bettors should review the Chicago Blackhawks injury report before finalizing any bet. The broader handicap remains the same. Chicago can score enough to stay annoying, but it is still a team that struggles to protect its own zone consistently and can get buried if the opponent controls the forecheck and neutral-zone entries.
New Jersey Devils Betting Form
The New Jersey Devils team page points to a team with a much cleaner offensive foundation than Chicago. Even in the recent loss to Carolina, the Devils still showed enough attack mentality to reinforce the larger profile. This is a team that creates shots in volume, has enough skill throughout the lineup, and can put opponents under pressure even when the finishing is not perfect.
That shot profile matters a lot in this matchup. New Jersey ranks near the top of the league in shots on goal, and against a Chicago team that can spend long stretches defending, that usually translates into both scoring chances and favorable territorial play. The Devils also have enough power-play punch to punish mistakes. Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, and the rest of the offensive core make this team dangerous whenever it can play downhill. Against weaker defensive teams, that pressure tends to stack quickly.
The goaltending angle also leans New Jersey. Jacob Markstrom gives the Devils a more stable last line than Chicago usually gets at the other end, and that can be the difference in a game where one team is expected to win the shot battle. Bettors should still check the New Jersey Devils injury report before puck drop, but the overall case is strong. At home, with the better shot volume and better goaltending floor, New Jersey has the cleaner route to a regulation-style win.
Chicago Blackhawks vs New Jersey Devils Matchup Breakdown
This game should be decided by five-on-five control. New Jersey has the better shot-driving profile, and Chicago has not shown enough defensive resistance to feel comfortable against that kind of opponent. If the Devils are getting clean exits, controlled entries, and repeated offensive-zone time, the Blackhawks are going to be under pressure for most of the night. That is the central betting angle.
Special teams could keep Chicago competitive for a while, but they are unlikely to be enough on their own. The Blackhawks can absolutely score on the power play, and Bedard is always capable of turning one moment into offense. The problem is that New Jersey also owns enough special-teams quality to cancel that edge out, and the Devils are more likely to create pressure at even strength. Over a full game, that usually matters more than isolated power-play chances.
The puck line is interesting because Chicago has been respectable at times as an underdog, but this matchup is still set up for New Jersey to carry play. The Devils have covered the puck line in seven of their last 10 games, and that trend fits the eye test. When they are the better skating team and the better volume team, they can create enough separation for a multi-goal win. Chicago’s danger is more about hanging around than controlling the game.
The total at 6.0 is fair, but it leans slightly toward offense. New Jersey’s attack should create chances, and Chicago’s defensive issues give the over a path. The question is whether the Blackhawks contribute enough at even strength. If they do, this game can clear the number. If not, the total lands closer to a 4-2 type result. That makes the side a bit stronger than the total, but there is still a reasonable case for goals.
Chicago Blackhawks vs New Jersey Devils Predictions and Best Bets
New Jersey is the better side and deserves to be favored. The Devils have the stronger offensive profile, the more reliable goaltending setup, and the home-ice edge. Against a Chicago team that just gave up six goals in its last game and still struggles to manage defensive zone pressure, this is the kind of spot where New Jersey should spend most of the night on the front foot.
The cleaner wager is the moneyline, but the puck line has real appeal if you want a better price. Chicago’s offense is dangerous enough to be annoying, yet the Blackhawks still profile as a team that can unravel if the opponent dictates possession and gets ahead early. New Jersey has enough finishers to create that game script, and Chicago does not have the defensive floor to make a one-goal game feel safe for 60 minutes.
The total is playable to the over, but not as strong as the Devils side. There is a path to a 4-2 or 4-3 game because New Jersey should generate enough offense on its own, and Chicago’s power play gives it some chance to contribute. The biggest issue is that the line already reflects a decent scoring environment, so the value is thinner there than it is on the favorite.
The biggest risk to a Devils ticket is simple. If Chicago gets strong goaltending and turns a few power-play chances into goals, the game can stay tighter than the overall matchup suggests. That is always the danger against a talented young scorer like Bedard. Even with that risk, New Jersey still looks like the side with the clearer edge from puck drop to the final horn.
Best Bet: New Jersey Devils moneyline
NHL Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
Bettors looking for more daily hockey action can compare this matchup with the latest NHL picks and additional NHL previews. Those pages are useful for spotting where market prices are moving and which matchups offer cleaner edges.
For broader strategy, the NHL betting guide and the Stanley Cup betting guide help sharpen how to approach puck lines, totals, goalie impact, and playoff-style pricing late in the season. That matters in games like this where shot volume and goaltending can shape the entire handicap.
For bettors tracking proven performance, ScoresAndStats also features its best handicappers, the current leaderboard, and access to premium picks. On busy NHL slates, those tools can help narrow the card to the strongest positions.
