New Jersey Devils vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction, Odds and Picks for Today, 02/26/26

The New Jersey Devils hit the road for the Steel City to battle the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night at PPG Paints Arena. The Devils honored Jack Hughes, the Team USA gold medalist, and he joined Buffalo’s Tage Thompson to be honored before Wednesday’s game. Thompson’s Sabres got the best of Hughes and the Devils in a low-scoring 2-1 victory, as Thompson had a goal and an assist, so New Jersey looks to bounce back against Pittsburgh. Hughes did chip in with secondary helper on a goal by Timo Meier, who represented Team Switzerland in the Milano-Cortina games.

The Penguins dropped the Sabres 5-2 in Buffalo in the last game prior to the Olympic break, and they’ve had an extra day to rest and prepare. Stuart Skinner is expected to be in between the crease, as Arturs Silovs gets an extra day to acclimate after going overseas to represent Team Latvia. The Pens have surged up the Metropolitan Division, going 8-1-3 across the past 12 games, collecting 19 of a possible 24 points. Entering play on Thursday, the Pens are eight points back of the first-place Canes. With the Devils turning to Jacob Markstrom, who played for Team Sweden in Milano-Cortina, I’ll take the Pens. Remember, Sidney Crosby is missing due to a leg injury suffered while representing Team Canada. Still, I like the Pens get to the job done.

Penguins ML (-140) at time of publishing. Playable to -150.