The New York Rangers continue what has been an exciting postseason rivalry with the New Jersey Devils on Monday night as their first-round series will go the distance. Longtime fans will remember their epic Eastern Conference Final series in 1994, which also went seven games. In that series, Rangers captain Mark Messier guaranteed a Game 6 win in New Jersey and then delivered on his own promise by scoring a hat trick. The Rangers went on to win Game 7 and then won the Stanley Cup over Vancouver, getting their first title since 1940. New York won Games 1 and 2 on the road before losing the next three, only to snag Game 6 at home. The winner of this series moves on to face the Carolina Hurricanes. Which team should you back with your NHL betting? We have some advice for you here.
NHL Betting Preview: Eastern Conference Quarterfinal
N.Y. Rangers at New Jersey Devils, Game 7
When: Saturday, April 29, 2023, 8:00 pm ET
Where: Prudential Center, Newark, NJ
TV: ESPN
Radio: No National Broadcast
Live Stream: Sling TV
NHL Odds: New York -105 / New Jersey -115 / O/U 5.5
Why should you bet on the New York Rangers?
The Rangers added Vladamir Tarasenko at the trade deadline to boost the Blueshirts’ offense, but New York has still struggled to light the lamp this series, with only 17 goals in six games. Patrick Kane and Chris Kreider have accounted for seven of those goals, along with eight assists. However, Vincent Trocheck and Artemi Panarin combined for 51 goals and 105 assists during the regular season but only have a single goal and two assists between them.
The Rangers’ defense remains a cause for optimism. New York has permitted just 13 goals over six games, including just two goals in Game 6. Ryan Lindgren and Adam Fox have been the best pair of defensemen, and goalie Igor Shesterkin has stopped 169 of 180 shots overall. Those are the kind of numbers that lead to Cup wins, but the Rangers must find ways to create more offense, particularly on the road.
Bet on the Rangers!
Why should you put your money on the Devils?
The New Jersey offense has relied heavily on the trio of Nico Hischier, Erik Haula and Jack Hughes, who have six scores and seven assists among them. Defenseman Dougie Hamilton made a habit of jumping in from the blue line all season, with 22 goals and 52 assists, but he has just one goal and two assists in this series.
The good news for the Devils, particularly in Games 3-5, is that their defense was able to shut down the Rangers. Hamilton and Jonas Seigenthaler are the top defnsemen, but the entire group of blueliners has generated turnovers in all three zones on the ice. Akira Schmid took the starting spot in goal after Game 2, and in Games 3-5, he saw 82 shots and stopped 80 of them. He slipped a bit in Game 6, allowing five goals on just 29 shots. Can he stand on his head again in Game 7?
Bet on the Devils!
Final Score and Prediction
The Rangers figured things out in Game 6 and, most importantly, cracked Schmid’s aura of confidence. They won at the Prudential Center in Games 1 and 2, and now they head back to New Jersey with all the momentum…and the better goalie, in Igor Shesterkin. I predict a final score of New York 3, New Jersey 2.
Devils vs Rangers in Game 6, 4/29
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