The April 11, 2025 matchup between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center marks a late-season meeting between two Metropolitan Division teams with drastically different outlooks. For the Devils, this game is part of a crucial final push to lock in favorable playoff positioning, while the Penguins are closing out a challenging season with pride and a desire to disrupt their rivals’ postseason momentum. The Devils have had a season characterized by flashes of dominance and stretches of inconsistency, but they remain firmly in playoff contention with a record that reflects both offensive depth and goaltending stability. Led by Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt, New Jersey’s attack averages just over three goals per game, complemented by reliable two-way play and a structured defensive system that has kept them in tight matchups. Their special teams have also stepped up in recent weeks, and the team’s ability to win key battles in the neutral zone and control possession has been vital to their success down the stretch. Pittsburgh, by contrast, enters this game sitting outside the playoff bubble and dealing with the aftermath of a season that never quite came together. Despite another productive year from the ageless Sidney Crosby, the Penguins have lacked offensive depth and struggled with defensive consistency, resulting in a losing record and a subpar goals-against average. Their goaltending tandem, led most recently by Alex Nedeljkovic, has faced an uphill battle behind a porous defensive group that often fails to clear rebounds or prevent high-danger chances.

The Penguins’ special teams have also been a sore point, with a penalty kill operating below league average and a power play that’s failed to deliver in key moments. Injuries and underperformance have played a part, but the bigger concern has been a lack of sustained chemistry or execution across all four lines. As they visit Newark, the Penguins will aim to play spoiler and assess the pieces they want to carry forward into next season, while also proving that they can still compete with playoff-bound teams. In terms of betting trends and matchups, the Devils have the edge on paper and statistically, particularly on home ice where they’ve been more consistent. While their ATS performance has been up and down lately, they’ve typically shown better control in matchups against teams with weaker defensive numbers. The Penguins have been more unpredictable, but as underdogs they’ve occasionally shown the ability to overperform in individual matchups, especially when Crosby is driving play. In recent meetings between these teams, home-ice advantage has played a modest role, with the hosting team covering the spread in 60% of the last five matchups. This game may not be a playoff preview, but it will still carry intensity, especially with New Jersey looking to fine-tune their systems and Pittsburgh looking to prove they still have fire in the tank. Expect a game defined by contrasting motivations: one team preparing for the pressure of postseason hockey, and another trying to find meaning in its final stretch while testing its younger talents against a playoff-caliber opponent.