Rangers vs Devils Odds: NHL Preview, Prediction
(Photo by Rich Graessle/NHLI via Getty Images) Pictured: Jack Hughes
Rangers vs. Devils Odds
| Rangers Odds | -110 |
| Devils Odds | -110 |
| Over / Under | 6.5 -110 / -110 |
Here's everything you need to know about the New York Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils on Thursday, February 22 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.
Thursday's tilt between the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils marks the second of four matchups this season. After the Devils knocked the Rangers out of last year's playoffs, New York got its revenge when these teams faced off in November, mounting a third-period comeback and earning a 5-3 victory at the Prudential Center.
The Rangers enter this one on an eight-game winning streak — the NHL's longest active winning streak — and have secured points in 10 of their past 11 games. Meanwhile, New Jersey is fresh off a disappointing 6-2 loss to the Washington Capitals.
Let's dig into the NHL odds and make a Rangers vs. Devils prediction and pick.
The Rangers' win over the Dallas Stars on Tuesday was perhaps their most impressive of this streak. They certainly surrendered some high-danger chances, but they also created plenty of their own and largely outplayed a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.
Although New York continues to get results, its underlying process still looks shaky. The Rangers own a 44.37 xGF% at 5-on-5 over this eight-game stretch, which ranks sixth-worst in the NHL. They aren't necessarily driving play on a nightly basis, but their .935 SV% and 1.075 PDO — both of which rank No. 2 in the NHL over this span — have made up for that.
Goaltender Igor Shesterkin — who should get the nod tonight — has returned to form after a rough January. Since the All-Star break, he is 4-0-0 with a 2.26 GAA and a .937 SV%. The 28-year-old is also fresh off a game in which he saved 2.72 goals above expected. From a GSAx perspective, that was his second-best performance of the season.
There are some questions for the Rangers, though, regarding the statuses of Artemi Panarin and Jimmy Vesey, which could spell trouble. Panarin is, of course, enjoying a Hart Trophy-caliber campaign, and Vesey has been playing top-six minutes since Blake Wheeler's injury. They both scored twice in New York's most recent visit to the Prudential Center.
With Jack Hughes back in the lineup, the Devils have started to look like themselves again. New Jersey is only 3-3-1 since Hughes' return, but the underlying numbers indicate the Devils are back to controlling play and out-chancing opponents.
Over the past seven games, New Jersey's 3.56 xGF/60 at 5-on-5 ranks No. 1 in the NHL. The Devils also own an impressive 54.53 xGF%. However, New Jersey hasn't been able to capitalize on enough of its chances as its shooting percentage across this span is the league's fourth-worst. For Hughes — who has two goals and five points since returning — and the rest of the team, the goals will come.
Defensively, the Devils continue to struggle. Their 2.97 xGA/60 at 5-on-5 over this stretch ranks eighth-worst in the NHL. The good news is that they haven't been plagued by poor goaltending lately — something that had troubled them for most of the season.
Nico Daws — who is expected to start tonight — has started to come around for New Jersey. In four of his five starts since the All-Star break, Daws has posted a positive GSAx. If he can continue to play at this level, the Devils can squeak into the playoffs.
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Rangers vs. Devils
Betting Pick & Prediction
Regardless of what the Rangers' lineup looks like, I expect the Devils to own the puck in this game. They are the faster, more dominant puck-possession team, and after a frustrating loss on Tuesday, they are back home for a game they need a lot more than New York.
Originally, I was looking to target the over on Shesterkin's save total — which I expect to be around 28.5 — but since the Rangers' starting goalie hasn't been officially named, goalie props are not yet available.
Instead, I'm looking at Hughes to get going offensively against the team he has scored the most points against in his blossoming career. The 22-year-old has had six consecutive games with at least five shots on goal, yet he is listed at plus money (+126 odds at FanDuel) to record 5+ shots. Hughes always shows up against the Rangers and will be pressing to get on the score sheet tonight, so I'm taking the over on his shots on goal and am sprinkling some action on him to score (+125).
Picks: Jack Hughes 5+ Shots on Goal (+126 at Fanduel, Play to +110) | Jack Hughes Anytime Goalscorer (+125 at FanDuel, Play to +115)
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