Rangers vs Devils Odds, Pick & Prediction – NHL Playoffs Game 2
By Robert Duff in NHL Hockey
Published:
- The New Jersey Devils are -130 favorites over the New York Rangers in Game 2 of their Stanley Cup first-round playoff series on Thursday, April 20
- Underdog New York won Game 1 on the road by a 5-1 verdict
- New Jersey is 1-6 straight up in the club’s last seven playoff games
Experience won out over youth as the New York Rangers began their Stanley Cup first-round series with the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday. The up and coming Devils were spanked 5-1 at home by the Rangers, last season’s Eastern Conference finalists.
Was it a case of stage fright or first-game jitters for New Jersey’s young stars? Should you be giving the Devils their due in Game 2?
Oddsmakers are of that opinion. It’s the Devils who are set as -130 favorites for Game 2 of this best-of-seven series. New Jersey is 7-3 straight up in the last 10 games in which the club took the ice as the betting favorite.
Rangers vs Devils Odds
| Team | Puck Line | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Rangers | +1.5 (-235) | O 5.5 (-115) | +110 |
| New Jersey Devils | -1.5 (+192) | U 5.5 (-105) | -130 |
Odds as of April 19th at Caesars Sportsbook. Claim the Caesars Sportsbook promo code here.
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The Devils were also the -130 chalk for Game 1 but failed to cover. New York is 2-3 against the puck line over the past five games.
Puck drop is set for 7:00pm ET on Thursday, April 20 at the Prudential Center. TBS is showing the broadcast in the USA. Sportsnet is carrying the game in Canada.
In the NHL public betting splits, the people liked the Rangers a lot in Game 1, but appear to be less certain regarding Game 2. On the moneyline splits, the Rangers are drawing 69% of handle and 65% of bets. However, puck line splits are divided. There’s 56% of handle backing the Devils. On the other hand, 72% of bets are going with New York.
When it comes to the total of 5.5 goals, the over is getting the majority of the action. It’s drawing 82% of public handle and 74% of bets. The  over was the winning play in 16 of the past 21 games in which the Rangers were visiting New Jersey.
The Rangers are the fourth betting choice in the Stanley Cup odds at +1000. The Devils are the co-sixth betting choice in this market at +1200. As far as series betting, New York is now the -190 chalk to win the set. New Jersey is a +158 underdog.
Special Teams Dominant For New York
The biggest difference in Game 1 was that when the Rangers were undisciplined, the Devils didn’t make them pay. However, when New Jersey ran afoul of the NHL rulebook, the Rangers ran rampant over them.
CHRIS KREIDER'S 35TH PLAYOFF GOAL IS THE MOST IN RANGERS HISTORY 🗽 pic.twitter.com/5rN3BDLd83
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 18, 2023
New York tallied three power-play goals in the club’s 5-1 victory. Meanwhile, when the Rangers found themselves shorthanded three times during the first period, the Devils failed to capitalize. A power-play goal or two there might’ve changed the outcome.
Rangers Big Players Came Up Big
They say that to win the Stanley Cup, your best players must be your best players. That certainly was the case for the Rangers in Game 1. Chris Kreider scored twice. Onetime Norris Trophy winner Adam Fox dished out four assists.
Both of New York’s prize trade deadline additions, Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko, were each good for a goal and an assist.
Ranger vs Devils Recent Results
| Date | Home-Away | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11/28/2022 | NYR 3 NJD 5 | NJD | NJD | Over |
| 12/12/2022 | NYR 4 NJD 3 | NYR | NJD | Over |
| 01/07/2023 | NJD 4 NYR 3 | NJD | NJD | Over |
| 03/30/2023 | NJD 2 NYR 1 | NJD | NYR | Under |
| 04/18/2023 | NJD 1 NYR 5 | NYR | NYR | Over |
Between the pipes, Igor Shesterkin was turning aside 27 of 28 shots. Vitek Vanecek, his New Jersey counterpart, managed to block just 18 of 22 shots aimed his way. That’s an .818 save percentage, which isn’t going to cut it against Vezina Trophy winner Shesterkin.
New York vs New Jersey Pick & Prediction
The Rangers puck line and the over on the total was a winning same-game parlay on Game 1, so let’s not fix what isn’t broke.
Jack Hughes gets his first of the playoffs on a penalty shot🚨 pic.twitter.com/7AHZRZkmLZ
— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) April 19, 2023
Combine the same two into a same-game for Game 2 at odds of +175. A $10 winning wager will pay $28.00.
Rangers vs Devils Same-Game Parlay Picks
| Pick | Odds |
|---|---|
| Rangers PL | -235 |
| Over 5.5 goals | -115 |
| PARLAY ODDS | +180 |
It’s not being too dramatic to suggest that this game is the season for the Devils. Should their young squad be heading to Madison Square Garden down 2-0, the Rangers will surely make short work of New Jersey.
Pick: New Jersey Devils Moneyline (-130)
If you’re looking to bet this NHL same-game parlay, DraftKings is offering a bonus bet in the event your bet loses. Sign-up here and navigate to the NHL section to take advantage of the offer.
Sports Writer
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
