The New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers face each other in Game 6 in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals Saturday. The Devils lead the series 3-2. Puck drop from Madison Square Garden is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Devils vs. Rangers odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Rangers posted victories in the first 2 games on the road, scoring 10 total goals in the pair of wins. The New York offense has dried up in Games 3 through 5, posting a total of just 2 goals.
The Devils allowed the 10 goals in the first 2 in the series, but head coach Lindy Ruff switched up his goaltender from Vitek Vanecek to rookie Akira Schmid. The tendy change has been golden, as New Jersey has allowed just 2 total goals in the past 3 games, while lightning the lamp 9 times.
The Over cashed in the first 2 games of the series, but the Under has connected in each of the previous 3 outings. The underdog is 4-1 in this series, with the favorite cashing only in Game 5.
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Devils at Rangers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:25 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Devils +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Rangers -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Devils +1.5 (-250) | Rangers -1.5 (+200)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: +105 | U: -130)
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Devils at Rangers projected goalies
Akira Schmid (9-5-2, 2.13 GAA, .922 SV%, 1 SO – regular season) vs. Igor Shesterkin (37-13-8, 2.48 GAA, .916 SV%, 3 SO – regular season)
Schmid has gone from an unknown rookie to most casual fans, to the next potential star goaltender in just 3 games. He stopped all 23 shots he faced in a pivotal Game 5, posting his first-ever NHL playoff shutout, and just the 2nd one of his career.
Shesterkin allowed 3 goals on 42 shots in Game 5, but he has been getting zero offensive support in the past 3 outings. He is 2-3-0 despite a sparkling 1.75 GAA and .938 SV% in this series.
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Devils at Rangers picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 3, Devils 2
Moneyline
The RANGERS (-125) are a solid play on home ice, as New York looks to stop the bleeding in front of its raucous crowd.
Schmid has been a breath of fresh air for the Devils (+105), but I just don’t trust a rookie in an elimination game against an experienced tendy like Shesterkin. The former Vezina Trophy winner will lift the Rangers, single-handedly, to a victory in this game, staving off elimination for now.
Puck line/Against the spread
The Devils +1.5 (-250) means you need to risk 2 1/2 times your potential return. That’s just too much risk for not enough reward. Over the long term, it’s a poor betting strategy, even as part of a multi-team parlay ticket.
PASS.
Over/Under
The UNDER 5.5 (-130) is the lean, as Shesterkin has been on fire for the entire series, and Schmid has been a brick wall since he has entered the chat room.
The Under is 5-2 in the past 7 Conference Quarterfinals games for New Jersey, including 3-0 in the past 3 outings.
The Under is 4-0 in the past 4 games at MSG for the Rangers, too, while cashing at a 9-2-1 clip in the past 12 games when playing on a day of rest, too.
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