Rangers vs. Devils: Preview, Picks, Prediction

Field Level Media|published: Mon 1st April, 12:52 2024

Mar 28, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) in overtime against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena. credits: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Rangers (50-20-4, 104 points) wrap the season series with the New Jersey Devils (36-34-4, 76 points) on Wednesday with a narrow lead in the Eastern Conference. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden.

Season series: Rangers lead 3-0, outscoring the Devils 13-5.

New York rode a five-game winning streak to the top of the Eastern Conference entering Monday's matchup with the Pittsburgh Penguins, who were on top of the Atlantic Division and holding a two-point edge over the Florida Panthers. The Rangers went 8-2 in their past 10 games entering the week but red-hot Carolina was just three points back (101) of the Rangers in the Metropolitan Division.

New York hit 50 wins on Saturday at Arizona and has milestones lined up across the board after goaltender Jonathan Quick became the leader in victories for a US-born netminder. Next up: Artemi Panarin continues his push for a 120-point season. He's at 107 with eight games to go as of Monday.

Devils at Rangers odds

Moneyline (ML):

Against the spread (ATS):

Over/Under (O/U):

Devils at Rangers injuries

Rangers

D Erik Gustafsson (upper body) STATUS: Questionable

D Jacob Trouba (lower body). STATUS: Out

Devils

D Kurtis MacDermid (lower body) STATUS: questionable

D Dougie Hamilton (pectoral) STATUS: questionable

Devils at Rangers picks and predictions

Prediction

Rangers 4, Devils 1

Moneyline

New York's firepower has overwhelmed the Devils in every meeting this season.

Alexis Lafreniere netted a pair of goals when these teams met in Newark in February and Artemi Panarin added three assists and both Rangers' goaltenders have held the Devils to one goal in two games played in 2024.

Against the spread

RANGERS

The Devils mustered only two third-period goals in the past two meetings.

In a 5-1 loss in February, New Jersey peppered goaltender Igor Shesterkin with 40 shots on goal but he stopped 39, surrendering Jack Hughes' tally with 2:07 left that prevented a 5-0 shutout.

Over/Under

This is a game to consider the prop market given the uncertainty around how competitive the Devils can be in this head-to-head matchup - the results aren't pretty for New Jersey in low-scoring affairs. The Devils last win with two or fewer goals was the 2-1 overtime victory against Boston on Dec. 13. Shesterkin owns the Devils with a 2.69 GAA in 17 games.

—Field Level Media