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Edgar Chaput
New Jersey Devils vs. New York Rangers Game 6 Prediction, NHL Odds
The tables have completely turned in this series. It was a week ago that most thought New Jersey was in too deep after falling behind 2-0. Now, with three consecutive victories, including their most emphatic of the series to date in Game 5 (4-0), they sent New York to the golf course for the summer.
The NHL odds predict that the host Rangers will push the series to the ultimate match. They’re perched as slim -126 favourites on the moneyline and +201 on the puckline. The total is 5.5.
Devils vs. Rangers NHL Playoffs Betting Odds
Gerard Gallant and his men are in a fix. More than that, they’re in grave danger of falling victim to the exact same fate as in the Eastern Conference Final last season against the Lightning. Although they were the favourites and not the underdogs, they nevertheless captured the first two contests before losing the next four. This is looking like a little bit of history repeating. Not a good look.
The switch from Vitek Vanecek to Akira Schmid appears to have flipped this marathon on its head. The under has connected in each of the past three games. Not only has New Jersey been mostly kept in check – they haven’t put more than three past Igor Shesterkin in a contest – but the Rangers’ offence has run completely dry. Two goals total since game 3.
New Jersey Devils
The pressure will be on for this young, inexperienced playoff squad to put the Rangers to bed in Game 6. Then again, they’ve played vastly superior hockey three times in a row and, as evidenced by the stats, get better results away from home.
It was high time a home team gave its fans something to cheer about and Game 5 ended up being the opportunity. Things got started early in the first period when Ondrej Palat (second) took advantage of a favourable bounce off a face off in New York territory to wrist a shot that, via deflected, floated above Shesterkin’s glove. It was as if the speed of its flights was too slow for the goalie to get comfortable. Then, in the middle frame, for once the Devils made the Rangers pay for taking a penalty when Erik Haula (second) took care of a juicy rebound right in front of the net. Dawson Mercer made it 3-0 off a sensational shorthanded two-on-one and a shot that Shesterkin had no chance against.
New York Rangers
The fun times of Games 1 and 2 are ancient history by now, even though in truth it was only a week ago. But such is how momentum shifts in the Stanley Cup playoffs. One minute a club looks like a world-beater when grabbing a comfortable early series lead, the next it’s facing elimination.
Igor Shesterkin has been the best Ranger in the three defeats. He’s only given up seven goals in those games, which is by no means a poor showing. A team with a greater ability to score would have claimed at least one of those contests, perhaps two. Game 5 was the first time New York was outclassed by a considerable margin, as the hosts outshot the visitors by an incredible 43-22. And although the Devils only cashed in on one of five powerplay chances, the Rangers would 0-for-2 and are 0-for-10 since Game 3. The Chris Kreider magic has worn off, but no one can keep putting up points all the time the way he was earlier in the series. Somebody needs to step up here. The Rangers are a good team playing at home with their backs to the wall. The time is now.
NJ
NYR