Vancouver-canucks vs New Jersey Devils Picks and Predictions January 23rd 2026

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The New Jersey Devils head west for a Friday night matchup against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena, puck drop scheduled for 10:00 p.m. ET. The Devils come in as -149 road favorites while the Canucks are slight home underdogs at +126. It’s a late-night game with playoff implications for both clubs — New Jersey sits in a tight battle for seeding in the East, while Vancouver is scrapping for a Wild Card spot in the West.

Vancouver has struggled defensively in recent weeks and hasn’t gotten consistent goaltending, while New Jersey continues to ride the offensive wave from its top line and a surging power play. The Devils opened this road swing with a win in Calgary and are trying to build momentum. On the flip side, the Canucks are coming off a disjointed loss to Arizona, showing cracks in structure and fatigue late in games.

Devils vs Canucks Odds

Below are the current betting odds. Always check the latest NHL odds for any late movement, especially with potential goalie changes or lineup news.

TeamMoneylinePuck LineTotal
New Jersey Devils-149-1.5 (+166)O 6.0
Vancouver Canucks+126+1.5 (-205)U 6.0

Devils Betting Form

New Jersey’s recent play suggests they’re starting to round into form. They’ve won four of their last five, and their top six is driving play with speed and precision. Jack Hughes is creating matchup problems all over the ice, and Jesper Bratt continues to finish at a high clip. Their power play has jumped into the top 10 league-wide, and that’s helped offset some of their lapses in 5-on-5 play.

On the defensive end, it’s been shaky. The Devils are allowing more high-danger chances than they’d like, and while their goal support has bailed them out recently, they’ve been in a few back-and-forth track meets that make the Under hard to back. Vitek Vanecek or Akira Schmid could start here — neither is a game-breaker, but if they face a low-volume Vancouver team, it may not matter much.

For more on their trends and stats, check the New Jersey Devils stats and results. They’ve covered the puck line in three of their last four wins, and their style often leads to wide margins when they’re clicking.

Keep an eye on the New Jersey Devils injury report for any last-minute lineup shifts that could affect chemistry on special teams or the top line.

Canucks Betting Form

Vancouver’s home-ice form has been slipping. They’ve lost five of their last seven at Rogers Arena and continue to leak goals late in games. Whether it’s fatigue, lack of structure, or inconsistent goalie play, the Canucks have struggled to hold leads and slow teams down — not great news against a fast, puck-dominant team like the Devils.

Their offense is still decent. J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson have kept them competitive, and the power play has shown flashes of effectiveness. But their even-strength numbers are trending in the wrong direction, and the blue line has struggled to move the puck cleanly out of the zone. That’s a red flag when facing one of the league’s best forechecking teams.

To get a clearer look at how the Canucks have performed recently, check their Vancouver Canucks schedule and stats. This game marks the third in four nights for Vancouver, and the legs looked heavy in the Arizona loss — that’s a situational angle worth weighing.

Before locking anything in, monitor the Vancouver Canucks injury report — especially for any news related to Thatcher Demko or defensive regulars who’ve missed time.

Devils vs Canucks Matchup Breakdown

This is a bad style matchup for Vancouver. New Jersey plays fast, transitions quickly, and applies relentless pressure on opposing defensemen. The Canucks, on the other hand, are below average in transition defense and often give up the blue line too easily, which leads to sustained zone time against. That’s a problem when you’re facing a Devils team that loves to cycle and crash the net.

Special teams edge goes to New Jersey as well. Their power play has outperformed Vancouver’s lately, and their penalty kill is improving — not elite, but less volatile. The Canucks’ PK is sitting near the bottom third of the league, and their reliance on power play goals just to stay competitive isn’t a sustainable strategy against disciplined teams.

Key matchup angles:

  • New Jersey’s speed vs Vancouver’s heavy legs (third game in four nights)
  • Devils’ power play vs Canucks’ penalty kill
  • Goaltending edge slightly to New Jersey, depending on starter
  • Devils’ puck line value when they win by margin

If you’re following a more analytical betting approach, visit our NHL betting guide for deeper info on how to use team styles and schedule spots in your handicapping.

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Devils vs Canucks Predictions and Best Bets

The market has this right — New Jersey should be favored. At -149, there’s not a ton of value on the moneyline unless you’re tying it into a parlay or larger ticket. The better play might be Devils -1.5 (+166), especially given the way they’ve won in recent weeks. When they dominate, they don’t squeak by — they bury teams with two or three-goal margins.

The total is lined at 6.0, and while both teams can score, the lean here is toward Over 6 if Vancouver contributes even a little offensively. New Jersey has been involved in higher-scoring games lately, and the Canucks’ defensive issues only add to that possibility.

If you prefer a conservative play, Devils moneyline is safe. But if you’re hunting plus-money upside with a strong angle, the puck line is the better ticket.

Best Bet: New Jersey Devils -1.5 (+166)

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