NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Devils vs. Rangers (March 4)
Bruce Bennett/Getty Images. Pictured: Alexis Lafreniere
- The Rangers are favored over the Devils on Friday night at Madison Square Garden, though the line has stayed steady at DraftKings throughout the day.
- The total has taken some action, as it now sits at a juiced 6 (-130 over, +100 under).
- Get Jonny Lazarus's full Rangers vs. Devils preview and pick below.
Devils vs. Rangers Odds
| Devils Odds | +145 |
| Rangers Odds | -165 |
| Over/Under | 6 (-130/+100) |
| Time | 7 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
| Odds via DraftKings, updated Friday at 3:15 p.m. ET. Get up-to-the-minute NHL Odds here. | |
Two Metropolitan division rivals are set to meet for the first time since their seven-round shootout back on November 14th at Madison Square Garden, where the Rangers defeated the Devils by the score of 4-3.
The Devils have played in many high-scoring contests of late and are looking to continue their offensive success, but Igor Shesterkin and the Rangers will look for another strong defensive effort to get another win on home ice.
Devils are Scoring at Will
The New Jersey Devils' offense has been insanely explosive of late. Since February 8th, they have played eight games and have scored a total of 40 goals.
Despite the offensive production, it hasn't been enough to get the Devils wins. They have been horrible in their own defensive end, allowing 30 goals in that same eight-game span and their total goal differential on the season still sits at -30.
The Devils have not had many positives this season as they are currently in seventh place in the Metropolitan division with a record of 19-30-5. One of the positives has been the excellent play of former No. 1 overall draft pick Jack Hughes. Hughes missed some time due to injury, but he has still managed to be second on the team in scoring with 17 goals and 22 assists in 34 games. The team's offense revolves around the play of its 20-year-old phenom.
A negative area for New Jersey this year has been their goaltending. Jon Gillies and Nico Daws have been splitting the time in the blue paint lately, but Daws has gotten the start in the last two games. He is the likely starter Friday as well, but he has only started six games in his young career and has a record of 3-2-0. Daws has a .909 save percentage and a -0.2 Goals Saved Above Expected.
Rangers Finding 5-on-5 Scoring
One of the Rangers' biggest struggles this season has been their lack of scoring at 5-on-5 play. But in their last game, they were able to find the back of the net three separate times at 5-on-5. On the season, they are only averaging 2.23 goals at 5-on-5 per game and as a whole they are only averaging 2.89 goals per 60 minutes.
The Rangers' power-play has driven their offense all season, as they currently have the fourth-best man advantage in the league, converting at a 25.7% rate. Chris Kreider has been nearly automatic this season when it comes to power-play goals as he leads the league with 18 goals on the man up.
It will be interesting to see who Gerard Gallant decides to start in net for this one, because the Devils are a divisional opponent, but they are not the toughest competition. The Rangers will head out on four-game road trip starting on Sunday against four strong teams, so I could see Gallant giving Alexandar Georgiev the start in this one to allow Igor Shesterkin to get some extra rest.
Georgiev did start the last time the Rangers played the Devils and he got the win, stopping 24 of 27 shots. He has not had a great season though as he is 7-8-2 with a .897 save percentage and a -6.5 GSAx.
If Gallant decides to start Shesterkin that will change the entire impact on the game. Shesterkin has been the No. 1 goalie in the league, with the best GSAx of +31.1 and a .940 save percentage.
Devils vs. Rangers Pick
Every time the Rangers and Devils meet, the energy is always electric. These two played a very fun and tight game back in November and this should have a similar feeling.
With the Devils' offense firing at all cylinders and the Rangers finding some 5-on-5 scoring success and all eyes will be on the No. 1 overall draft picks in the last couple of season in Hughes and Alexis Lafreniere. Both players have been driving their teams' offenses of late as Hughes has nine points in his last four games and Lafreniere with four points in his last four.
The Devils' goaltending has been very inconsistent and unreliable so the Rangers should be able to find the back of the net, especially if they are given opportunities on the power-play. The Devils have gained a ton of momentum with their offensive production, which I don't see slowing down in this one. I think this game will have a ton of scoring.
Pick: Over 6 -115
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