The Prudential Center will play host to a divisional showdown as the New Jersey Devils take on the visiting New York Rangers. MSG Network will air the game, which gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 21.
New York Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils Odds
With a moneyline of -115, New York comes into the contest as the slight favorite. The line for New Jersey sits at -105. The Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals and originally opened at -115 for the over and -105 for the under. Those odds have shifted, however, and they now sit at -125 to bet the over, +105 for the under.
New Jersey is 19-14 straight up (SU) and has earned 9.0 units for moneyline bettors this year. That win percentage, the third-best in the Metropolitan Division so far this season, is a complete turnaround from how the team performed during last year’s regular season (28-54). Through 33 regular season outings, 18 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while 14 have gone under and just one has pushed. This season, the team’s 9-7 SU at home.
The Devils have converted on 20.4 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 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 contests. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays for just 8.4 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, in total.
With a .920 save percentage and 29.4 saves per game, Cory Schneider (15-10-4) has been the primary goalkeeper for New Jersey this year. If head coach John Hynes chooses to give him a rest, however, New Jersey may turn to Keith Kinkaid (5-5-5 record, .893 save percentage, 3.49 goals against average).
The Devils will continue to lean on the leadership from Taylor Hall and Jesper Bratt. Hall (31 points) has put up 11 goals and 20 assists and has recorded two or more points nine times this year. Bratt has 10 goals and 13 assists to his name and has recorded a point in 14 contests.
New York is 19-15 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 2.2 units this year. A total of 19 of its contests have gone over the total, while 13 have gone under and just two have pushed. The Rangers are 5-7 SU as a road team this season.
The Rangers have converted on 20.9 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. 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 skaters have been penalized only 3.6 times per game this season, and 4.2 per game over their last five road outings. The team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 6.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Henrik Lundqvist (2.59 goals against average and .920 save percentage) has been the main option in goal for New York. Lundqvist is averaging 28.3 saves per game and owns a 17-12-2 record.
Mats Zuccarello (eight goals, 20 assists) has been one of the most vital playmaking threats for the visiting Rangers.
New York Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Devils, O/U – Under
Notes
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 outings.
Over New York’s last ten games, five of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 4-1 in those games).
The Devils this season have tallied the 12th-most hits per game (22.0).
