The New York Rangers meet the New Jersey Devils in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference playoff series Monday. Puck drop at Prudential Center is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rangers vs. Devils odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Series: Tied 3-3
It has been a tale of two series for the Rangers, who looked unstoppable with two 5-1 wins to open the series before dropping the next 3 games by a combined score of 9-2. With their backs against the wall, they took care of business in Game 6 with a 5-2 win to force this pivotal affair. Rangers coach Gerard Gallant shuffled lines, putting RW Vladimir Tarasenko on the top line with C Mika Zibanejad and LW Chris Kreider, and the trio responded with 3 goals and 4 assists in Game 6.
New Jersey is just 4-for-21 (19%) on the power play in the series. The Devils pulled their goalie on a power play with 5 minutes left in the game, down 5-1, and converted to make it 5-2. However, they couldn’t get any closer in Game 6, but that move indicates anything can happen in Game 7. Could we see a goalie swap after Akira Schmid was replaced?
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Rangers at Devils odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:50 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rangers -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | Devils -115 (bet $115 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rangers +1.5 (-275) | Devils -1.5 (+220)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: +115 | U: -135)
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Rangers at Devils projected goalies
Igor Shesterkin (37-13-8, 2.48 GAA, .916 SV%, 3 SO – regular season) vs. Vitek Vanecek (33-11-4, 2.45 GAA, .911 SV%, 3 SO – regular season)
Shesterkin heard the familiar celebratory chant of “I-gor” from the Madison Square Garden crowd after stopping 34 of 36 shots in Game 6. Despite being 3-3, he has been really good with a 1.79 GAA and .939 SV% in the series. He has stopped 89 of 94 shots fired at him in New Jersey in this series for a .947 SV%.
The Devils could stick with Schmid after replacing him in Game 6 for allowing 5 goals on 29 shots. However, I’m thinking they go back to Vanecek, who has a little more playoff experience. He would have the chance to redeem himself after allowing 9 goals on 52 shots in Games 1-2. He didn’t face a shot in Game 6.
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Rangers at Devils picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 4, Devils 2
Moneyline
The road team, and the underdog, is 4-0 in the series and while it doesn’t feel that way, the Rangers are short ‘dogs in this one. The Rangers are 4-1 in their last 5 road games and 8-3 in the last 11 in Jersey. The main factor is the sizeable advantage they have in net and on the power play. New Jersey would have to play a nearly perfect game to get it done.
I’m taking RANGERS (-105).
Puck line/Against the spread
Five of the 6 games have been decided by 2 goals or more. We’re forecasting a multiple-goal win, but this is Game 7. We had two Game 7s Sunday, and each ended with a single-goal margin. So to be on the safe side, head to the Win/Total section and take RANGERS TO WIN AND OVER 4.5 GOALS (+165).
Over/Under
The Over is 3-3 in the series, having cashed in Games 1, 2 and 6. The Rangers combined to score 2 goals in the 3 Under games. That’s not happening Monday night. The Over is 16-5-2 in the last 23 meetings in New Jersey and 23-9-1 in the last 33 meetings overall. It’ll be close, but I’ll LEAN OVER 5.5 (+115).
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