Tonight, 8:30 p.m. ET
\nSportsbook odds: Devils +170, Blackhawks -205<\/p>\n
The Devils sure looked sharp at home to the Penguins last night, didn\u2019t they?<\/p>\n
Fresh off earning his Olympic team nod, Martin Brodeur shut out the defending champs for the second time this season. The Devils will thus be a hot pick for many NHL betting sharps tonight.![\"Sports](\"http:\/\/www.bodogaffiliate.com\/resources\/ca-banners\/sportsbook\/square\/250x250\/250x250h-sportsbook.gif\")
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However, New Jersey may be set up for failure here. First off, there\u2019s the travel factor. New Jersey flew to Chicago after playing at home last night and will play its third game in four nights against an elite team in a raucous building tonight. Brodeur will probably play \u2013 he\u2019s won of the only NHL goalies who consistently plays on back to back nights \u2013 but his odds of duplicating last night\u2019s play aren\u2019t great.<\/p>\n
The Hawks are 7-2 in their last nine games and are among the league\u2019s most dangerous teams because they can win in so many ways. They\u2019re outstanding defensively \u2013 Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook are Olympics-bound as a tandem for Canada \u2013 and their top offensive stars, Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, are heating up. I\u2019d expect New Year\u2019s Eve fireworks from Chicago tonight.<\/p>\n
NHL Betting Trends:<\/strong><\/p>\n The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New Jersey’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Chicago
\nNew Jersey is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
\nThe total has gone UNDER in 5 of New Jersey’s last 6 games when playing Chicago
\nNew Jersey is 10-1-1 SU in its last 12 games when playing Chicago
\nThe total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chicago’s last 5 games when playing at home against New Jersey
\nChicago is 14-2 SU in its last 16 games at home
\nThe total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chicago’s last 6 games when playing New Jersey
\nChicago is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games <\/p>\n