The Pittsburgh Penguins host the New Jersey Devils at PPG Paints Arena on February 26, 2026, in a key Eastern Conference matchup where the home side enters as the stronger and more consistent team. Pittsburgh has quietly built one of the most balanced seasons in the league, combining efficient scoring, strong special teams, and reliable defense. Led by experienced stars like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Erik Karlsson, the Penguins have been especially tough to beat on home ice.
The Devils, on the other hand, have struggled with consistency this season. Despite the presence of talented players such as Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, and Nico Hischier, New Jersey has found it difficult to generate offense regularly and has been hit by injuries and uneven goaltending. With Pittsburgh in better form and holding a clear statistical edge in several key areas, this game shapes up as a strong opportunity for the Penguins to continue their push up the standings.
Match Information
| Match | New Jersey Devils vs Pittsburgh Penguins |
|---|---|
| Date | February 26, 2026 |
| Time | 7:00 PM ET |
| Venue | PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh |
| TV | ESPN+ |
| Puck Line | Penguins -1.5 |
| Over/Under | 5.5 Goals |
| Moneyline | Penguins strong favorites |
Current Standings & Team Stats
| Category | Penguins | Devils |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 29-15-12 | 28-28-2 |
| Goals Per Game | 3.4 | 2.5 |
| Goals Against | 2.9 | 3.0 |
| Goal Differential | +29 | -33 |
| Power Play | 25.8% (Top 5) | 20.5% |
Recent Form (Last Games)
| Team | Recent Trend |
|---|---|
| Penguins | Coming off a 5-2 win vs Sabres |
| Devils | Lost last game 2-1, currently struggling |
| Momentum | Edge to Pittsburgh |
The Devils have entered this game during a losing stretch, while the Penguins have been far more stable, especially at home.
Injury Report
Pittsburgh Penguins
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Rutger McGroarty | Out |
| Filip Hallander | Out |
| Caleb Jones | Out |
| Kris Letang | Game-time decision |
| Evgeni Malkin | Expected to play (recently cleared) |
New Jersey Devils
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Luke Hughes | Out |
| Stefan Noesen | Out |
| Zack MacEwen | Out for season |
| Evgenii Dadonov | Injured Reserve |
| Johnathan Kovacevic | LTIR |
Key Insight:
New Jersey has multiple key absences on defense, while Pittsburgh’s core lineup is expected to remain available.
Projected Lineups
Pittsburgh Penguins
Forwards
- Avery Hayes – Rickard Rakell – Bryan Rust
- Egor Chinakhov – Tommy Novak – Evgeni Malkin
- Anthony Mantha – Ben Kindel – Justin Brazeau
- Kevin Hayes – Blake Lizotte – Noel Acciari
Defense
- Kris Letang – Erik Karlsson
- Brett Kulak – Connor Clifton
- Jack St. Ivany – Ryan Shea
Goaltenders
- Stuart Skinner (Projected)
- Arturs Silovs
New Jersey Devils
Forwards
- Jesper Bratt – Nico Hischier – Timo Meier
- Ondrej Palat – Jack Hughes – Dawson Mercer
- Connor Brown – Cody Glass – Depth winger
- Arseny Gritsyuk – Paul Cotter – Juho Lammikko
Defense
- Dougie Hamilton – Brenden Dillon
- Brett Pesce – Depth defenseman
- Jonas Siegenthaler – Dennis Cholowski
Goaltenders
- Jacob Markstrom (Projected)
- Jake Allen
Key Players to Watch
| Penguins | Devils |
|---|---|
| Sidney Crosby | Jack Hughes |
| Bryan Rust | Jesper Bratt |
| Evgeni Malkin | Nico Hischier |
| Erik Karlsson | Timo Meier |
Player Props Focus
| Market | Pick |
|---|---|
| Bryan Rust | Anytime goal / Over points |
| Sidney Crosby | Over 0.5 assists |
| Evgeni Malkin | Over shots or points |
| Jack Hughes | Over 2.5 shots |
Rust has a strong scoring history against New Jersey and remains a key offensive threat.
Head-to-Head (H2H)
| Category | Trend |
|---|---|
| Home Edge | Penguins strong at home vs Devils |
| Game Style | Penguins dominate when scoring 3+ goals |
| Recent Meetings | Multiple multi-goal Pittsburgh wins |
Pittsburgh holds a clear edge when their offense gets going, with an excellent record in games where they score more than two goals.
Betting Trends & Insights
- Penguins games have gone Over 5.5 goals 35 times
- Combined scoring average: 5.9 goals per game
- Penguins penalty kill: ~84% (Top tier)
- Devils shooting percentage: among the lowest in the league
- Penguins win rate increases significantly when scoring first
Best Picks for Penguins vs Devils
| Market | Pick |
|---|---|
| Moneyline | Penguins |
| Puck Line | Penguins -1.5 |
| Total | Over 5.5 |
| Player Prop | Bryan Rust to record a point |
Match Prediction
Pittsburgh enters this game with better form, stronger depth, and a clear advantage at home. The Devils have struggled offensively and remain inconsistent defensively, which could create scoring opportunities for the Penguins’ top lines.
If Pittsburgh controls the pace early, this game could open up quickly.
Predicted Score:
Penguins 4 – Devils 2
The Penguins are the more reliable team heading into this matchup. Their strong power play, home performance, and balanced attack give them the edge against a Devils side dealing with injuries and inconsistency. Expect Pittsburgh to control the game and cover the puck line, with the total leaning toward the Over.
