September 24, 2026 • 12:21 PM EDT
Updated 2 hours ago
The Devils’ Goaltending Rebuild Just Redefined Their Season Outlook
On September 24, 2026, the New Jersey Devils made clear they’re trusting Jake Allen and Nico Daws to anchor the net after trading away Jacob Markstrom in one of the biggest goalie moves of the offseason. This wasn’t a symbolic shift. It’s a shakeup that alters every major Devils betting market for the start of the season. The current depth chart, Allen starting, Daws as backup, David Rittich for insurance, makes New Jersey one of the league’s least established goaltending groups among 2026-27 playoff hopefuls.
The numbers don’t lie: Allen posted a .904 save percentage and a 2.74 GAA last year as a backup, but he’s always shown a steep regression when handed starter-level minutes. Daws? He’s entering his first full-time NHL campaign with nothing close to a proven resume. That’s not a betting gray area: it’s a signal that volatility is on deck in Newark, especially as early-season lines often overweight prior-year stability.
For bettors, the implication is clear. Without Markstrom’s track record, the Devils lose the small edge they carried in tight moneyline spots and defensive game scripts. Instead, uncertainty reigns, meaning sharper action looks to fade the Devils’ moneyline and leans toward game total overs in at least the first 10 games until this tandem defines itself.
The Devils’ Net Is New Territory for NHL Bettors
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The market often forgets just how reliant the Devils were on steady goaltending. Markstrom covered blemishes, his departure takes away their nightly safety net. Jake Allen’s career splits prove one thing: heavy workloads shift him from capable fill-in to vulnerable target. Every time he’s crossed the 40-start mark, the numbers slip. Last season as a part-timer, he looked serviceable. Now, he faces a relentless calendar as the #1 with an untested backup behind him and Rittich slotted for emergencies.
Fade the narrative that last year’s Allen numbers tell the story. Bettors should treat this as a downgrade of about 10-15 cents on opening moneylines and expect over 0.1-0.2 extra goals per Devils game compared to the Markstrom baseline. In practical terms, that means taking an early lean on overs and waiting for Allen or Daws to build evidence before backing the Devils on tight lines.
This Is an Adjustment, Not an Overreaction
No injuries cloud the picture right now: both Allen and Daws are healthy going into camp. But workload history is blunt. Allen hasn’t held up as a starter for a full season in five years. Daws, while intriguing, has 36 NHL games, all in lower-leverage roles. Until that changes, any prop market pricing Allen as a quality starter (for saves, GAA, or wins) is vulnerable. Opponent team total overs, especially against squads with volume shooters, look particularly appealing in the first few weeks.
- Jake Allen posted a .904 SV% and 2.74 GAA in limited action last year: betting markets may overvalue that small-sample success.
- Nico Daws slides in as full-time NHL backup with only 36 career NHL games: the volatility here increases total and prop betting angles on Devils games early.
- The departure of Jacob Markstrom historically moves moneyline prices by 10-15 cents per game against the former team: this is a measurable downgrade for New Jersey’s edge.
- Devils’ blue line remains stable and healthy entering 2026-27: any boost in goalie performance will depend on this, watch for early metrics before backing them in tough matchups.
- David Rittich stays as depth with no current injury flags: he provides security but little upside for sharp bettors at current market prices.
Key Takeaways for Early 2026-27 Devils Bets
- Lean fade on Devils moneyline in their first 10 games of the season until Allen or Daws show reliable form.
- Target game total overs on Devils games, specifically when they face teams with above-average shot generation.
- Fade Allen props in high-shot matchups: his splits decline under starter workloads and big-volume games.
- Monitor the opponent’s team total over market: undervalued if Devils goaltending is slow to adjust.
- Avoid early-season Devils puck line plays, wait until instability in net settles down.
- If Allen or Daws emerges with strong metrics, reassess after Game 10, until then, treat every night as a volatility play.
- Watch for late-breaking injury or lineup news, but as of now, all goalies are healthy, this is a pure performance call, not an availability angle.
“We’re putting a lot of trust in our goaltending depth. It’s a chance for Allen and Daws to prove they’re ready.”Lindy Ruff, New Jersey Devils head coach
This article was produced with AI assistance by Richard Gale (senior gambling industry executive and ThePicks founder), with editorial standards and betting methodology overseen by Ben Gale, and reviewed by the ThePicks editorial team. All statistics sourced from live BDL API data and verified source material. All betting opinions are those of ThePicks analysts.
The full 2026-27 season record and tonight’s updated pick are tracked on the New Jersey Devils picks page.
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/jersey-devils-2026-27-season-153309900.html
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