NHL Playoffs Odds, Picks: Devils vs Rangers Game 3 Preview & Prediction (April 22)

Devils vs. Rangers Game 3 Odds

The New Jersey Devils head across the Hudson for Game 3 against the New York Rangers. New Jersey is in a precarious position — down 2-0 and playing on the road — and at risk of getting swept.

New York is riding high and is making minced meat out of a once dominant Devils squad. Both games have ended 5-1 and it’s looking easy for the Rangers.

Here’s a look at the odds, as well as my betting prediction for Game 3 between the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers.

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New Jersey Devils

Only four players on the Devils have registered a point, which is very uncharacteristic. Jack Hughes had a garbage-time goal in Game 1, but Nico Hischier, Timo Meier, Dougie Hamilton and Jesper Bratt were all shut down. The only way the Devils will succeed is if they get scoring from their top guys.

New Jersey has a lot to think about as it prepares for Game 3. Throughout the season, the Devils were the second ranked even-strength team, but now only play to a 47.18 xGF% (expected goals). Additionally, the power play, which had been solid, is now dormant (1-for-8).

Defensively, the Devils need to look in the mirror. The Devils had one of the better penalty kills all season, but are finding themselves in the box too many times against a dynamic power play. At even strength, they’re fine with a 2.45 xGA/60, but it won’t matter if they can’t stop anything on the penalty kill.

Vitek Vanecek has been a great story in his first season as a full-time starter. However, the Rangers have humbled the Czechian netminder to the tune of a .826 SV% and a poor -2.4 goals saved above expected (GSAx).

New York Rangers

New York’s players have shown up. Chris Kreider is the Rangers all-time leader in playoff goals and added to his tally with two goals in each game. Adam Fox has racked up six points and Patrick Kane had three points in Game 2. Vladimir Tarasenko has also proven to be a valuable asset and scored goals in each of the first two games.

Interestingly enough, the Rangers were never the run-and-gun team many believed they were. They were an average team on even strength in the regular season, but have played to a solid 52.82 xGF in the postseason. Their dynamic power play has converted on 36% of tries so far.

On the backend, no one in the playoffs has been better. New York is ranked first among all playoff teams with a 2.05 xGA/60 and the penalty kill has stopped all but one attempts.

There’s not much to say about the Rangers goaltending other than that Igor Shesterkin has been an absolute brick wall. The Russian has only let up two goals in 51 shots and has played to a dominant +2.9 GSAx.

Devils vs. Rangers Pick

In my Thursday best bet submission, I said the Devils were going to correct what went wrong in Game 1 and even the series. Turns out, I was brutally wrong. Game 2 looked like a solid start with an Erik Haula goal, but then the Rangers pulled ahead rapidly.

I may have underestimated the Rangers talent and experience because they’re looking like the most dominant team in the playoffs. With Shesterkin's elite goaltending, it’s been practically impossible for the Devils to score. Also, New Jersey’s once dominant penalty kill seems to have forgotten what to do. This is shaping up to be a sweep and I have a hard time betting against the Blue Shirts.

Pick: New York Rangers 3-Way Line (+110)