Two teams that are firmly in playoff contention, the New York Rangers and the New Jersey Devils take the ice at the Prudential Center in a Metropolitan Division tilt. The first puck drops at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 21, and it can be viewed live on MSG Network.
New York Rangers at New Jersey Devils Odds
New York (-115) is currently favored over New Jersey (-105), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals (-125 for the over, +105 for the under). After originally opening at -115 over, -105 under, those O/U odds have shifted.
New Jersey is 19-14 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 9.0 units this year. That winning percentage, the third-best in the Metropolitan Division in this young season, is a remarkable improvement over the 28-54 record from the 2016-17 season campaign. Of the teams 33 games this season, 18 have gone over the total, while 14 have gone under and just one has pushed. The teams 9-7 SU at home this year.
The Devils have converted on 20.4 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked eighth overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 83.1 percent of all penalties.
The Devils, as a collective unit, have been penalized 4.1 times per game overall this season, and 3.4 per game over their last five outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties for just 8.4 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, in total.
Averaging 29.4 saves per game with a .920 save percentage, Cory Schneider (15-10-4) has been the top goalkeeper for the Devils this year. If the Devils choose to rest him, however, the team might turn to Keith Kinkaid (5-5-5 record, .893 save percentage, 3.49 goals against average).
Taylor Hall and Jesper Bratt will both be focal points for the Devils. Hall (31 points) has put up 11 goals and 20 assists and has recorded two or more points on nine different occasions this year. Bratt has 10 goals and 13 assists to his name and has recorded a point in 14 games.On the other side of the ice, New York is 19-15 straight up (SU) and has earned 2.2 units for moneyline bettors this season. Through 34 regular season outings, 19 of its games have gone over the total, while 13 have gone under and just two have pushed. The Rangers are 5-7 SU as the road team this season.
The Rangers have scored on 20.9 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s good enough for 10th-best in the league. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked fifth overall and it’s successfully killed off 83.5 percent of all opponent power plays.
New York’s players have been whistled for penalties only 3.6 times per game this season, and 4.2 per game over their last five road outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 6.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Henrik Lundqvist (28.3 saves per game) has been the main choice in goal for New York. Lundqvist owns a 17-12-2 record, while registering a .920 save percentage and 2.59 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Rangers, the offense will be facilitated by Mats Zuccarello (eight goals, 20 assists) and J.T. Miller (six goals, 18 assists).
New York Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Devils, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- New Jersey is 2-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while New York is 1-2 in shootouts.
- The total has gone over in four of New Jersey’s last five games.
- Five of New York’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 4-1 in those games.
- The Devils this season have tallied the 12th-most hits per game (22.0).
