Rangers vs. Devils NHL Betting Odds, Picks: Dylan Garand starting for New York
The puck drops in one of the more fun rivalries in hockey on Thursday night in New Jersey. The Rangers and Devils do not like each other, and their games are usually entertaining.
Despite facing early adversity by losing their superstar goaltender, Igor Shesterkin, for the season, the Rangers are off to an excellent 6-2-0 start.
It has looked different for the Devils, who have battled to a 3-3-0 record.
With both teams looking to prove something, this rivalry game will be fun to watch.
Rangers vs. Devils NHL Betting Odds
Despite the Rangers being the better team early on in the season, the Devils are the moneyline favourites on the NHL odds in this matchup. It is not by a large margin, but perhaps a bit of a surprise that the objectively better team thus far is the underdog.
Last year, there were lopsided final scores between these teams. The Devils won the first two matchups by scores of 6-3, then the Rangers won by a score of 4-1. The game total is set at 6.5 goals, which has a look if these teams continue their 7.67 average goals per game from last year.
New York Rangers
The Rangers have been a bit of a surprise this young season. There were questions about whether their improvements from the offseason closed the gap between them and the rest of the competitive Eastern Conference, where last year they finished last.
Early on, questions have been answered with authority. This team is playing a fast, fun brand of hockey. They have largely bullied opponents on their way to a 6-2-0 record. The Rangers’ +13 goal differential is the best in the NHL, they rank second in goals allowed per game, and have the fourth best penalty kill thus far. This team is buzzing right now.
New Jersey Devils
In just six games, there has already been a little bit of good, bad and ugly for the Devils. The mixed results are nothing new for this group that has not seemed to find much consistency since they beat the Rangers in the 2023 postseason. This is the year this team needs to stay healthy and make a statement. They will play with urgency on Thursday.
It was not pretty, but the Devils outlasted the Red Wings in overtime on Tuesday. With that, they have now won two out of their last three games, having scored 10 goals in that span. That sounds great, if not for the nine goals they allowed in those games. The Devils would love these two points, and will come out fast in front of the home crowd.
NHL Prediction: Who Will Win Rangers vs. Devils?
It is difficult to overlook what the Rangers have been able to do this season. In addition to the better record, the Rangers have played arguably better opponents. Their six wins include the Lightning twice, the Red Wings, and Mammoth. Against shared opponents, the Rangers are 4-0-0 with a +11 goal differential and the Devils are 2-2-0 with a -4 goal differential.
Although the Rangers would rather have Shesterkin in net than be injured, Dylan Garand has been more than formidable. Garand is 3-1-0 including a shutout, and has a 1.15 goals against average and a .951 save percentage. Until the Rangers slow down, they are a tough fade.
NYR
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