The New York Rangers visit the New Jersey Devils Thursday for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. Puck drop from Prudential Center is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (TBS). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rangers vs. Devils odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Rangers started fast in Game 1, and finished faster, overwhelming Vitek Vanecek and the Devils, snatching home-ice away in the process with the 5-1 win.
Vladimir Tarasenko opened the scoring just 4:58 into the game, and Chris Kreider scored on a power play at 9:30, taking advantage of a holding call on Miles Wood.
In the 2nd period, Ryan Lindgren found a tiny sliver of light from the goal line, sneaking one past Vanecek’s left shoulder, then the team opened the 3rd with another Kreider PPG, with Adam Fox grabbing his 3rd assist, and newcomer Patrick Kane bagging the secondary apple.
The only thing that went wrong was a slash on Jacob Trouba on a Jack Hughes breakaway led to the rare penalty shot in a playoff game, and even Rangers fan Sonny Koufax from Big Daddy would have cheered for that. Filip Chytil capped the scoring with an empty-net goal, and Fox added a 4th helper for a dominant Blueshirts showing.
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Rangers at Devils Game 2 odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 9:06 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rangers +110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Devils -130 (bet $130 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rangers +1.5 (-225) | Devils -1.5 (+185)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Rangers at Devils Game 2 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 was beaten once, on the Hughes penalty shot goal, and by that time it was 4-0. He was dominant, the Rangers were dominant, and Shesterkin made sure the Devils power play went 0-for-4.
Vanecek and the Devils set a franchise record with 112 points and 52 wins in the regular season, but that’s in the rear-view mirror. There were 6 players in New Jersey making their postseason debuts, and it looked like it. Vanecek was making just his 4th NHL postseason start, and he is 1-2-0 with a 4.17 GAA and .844 SV% in those outings. Yes, that’s 1 all-time NHL playoff win.
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Rangers at Devils Game 2 picks and predictions
Prediction
Devils 3, Rangers 2
Moneyline
The DEVILS (-130) won 3 of the 4 regular-season meetings, although that didn’t seem to matter to the Rangers (+110) in Game 1. The Devils had won 5 straight at home, too, but that is now over.
The Rangers seem to step up their game in the conference quarterfinals, going 8-3 in the past 11 in the round. I still expect this to be a competitive series, and look for New Jersey to bounce back in a big way, playing a defensive style which got them to their lofty heights. If the Devils lose Game 2, they could be facing the broom, as the series shifts to Manhattan for Games 3 and 4. This is a must-win, and I expect the Devils to respond.
Puck line/Against the spread
The Rangers +1.5 (-225) will cost more than 2 times your potential return, and that’s just too much risk and not enough return. Over the long haul it’s a poor strategy, even if it might be a winning play. I think this game has overtime potential, but you can’t risk that much.
PASS.
Over/Under
The books are expecting more of a defensive slog than the opening game, and I do, too. Back the UNDER 5.5 (-105) in Game 2.
Shesterkin will be his normal shutdown self, and I believe Vanecek will be much better, too. The Rangers beat Vanecek twice in the power play, and I expect the kill for the Devils to be much better, and much more urgent.
The Under is 8-1-1 clip in the last 10 games on the road for the Rangers, the Under is 6-1 in their last 7 against winning teams.
Look for this game to be a heavyweight bout which goes deep into the night.
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