A huge Metropolitan Division tilt gets underway Saturday evening as the fourth-place New Jersey Devils host the first-place New York Rangers as NHL odds underdogs.
This will be the first time these clubs have squared off since last postseason, when New Jersey won four of the final five games to win the best-of-seven series.
Will the Devils take care of business once again, or can New York exact its revenge? Find out in our free NHL picks for Rangers vs. Devils on Saturday, November 18.
Rangers vs Devils odds
Rangers vs Devils predictions
New York enters this contest amidst a tremendous stretch of hockey as it is 9-0-1 over its past 10 games. However, I believe now is the time to sell on the Rangers.
First, I’m not sold that these Jonathan Quick results are sustainable. Slated to take the crease on Saturday once again due to Igor Shesterkin’s injury, Quick looks to build upon his 4-0-1 record that carries a .928 SV% and 1.98 GAA.
It’s been a nice little patch of goaltending from Quick, but this is a 38-year-old who owns a .897 SV% over his past six seasons. Regression is certainly looming.
It won’t help his cause that superstar defenseman Adam Fox is on IR-LT with a lower-body injury. While Quick is due for regression, the offense is due for an even further cooling-down.
While New York ranks 15th in the league in goals scored per game, it also ranks second-to-last in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) at 5-on-5. That places the Rangers between the Senators and Sharks, which is not a spot you want to be in.
Meanwhile, New Jersey ranks fifth in the league in xGF/60 at 5-on-5. Not only are the Devils much more efficient offensively, but their blue line can hang with the Fox-less Rangers as they rank in the top half of the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) at 5-on-5.
New Jersey has also been pounded with injuries, but Jack Hughes is expected to return on Saturday. If we’re going to take the Devils, might as well take a chance on –1.5 at +200 via FanDuel as each of their past three wins have come by at least a two-goal margin.
My best bet: Devils –1.5 (+200 at FanDuel)
Not intended for use in MA.
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Rangers vs Devils same-game parlay
Devils –1.5 (+200)
Jack Hughes first goal scorer (+1,100)
Why not take a big swing in this same game parlay and target Hughes to open the scoring in his likely return. And, if he doesn’t end up playing, he will simply get pushed out of this play and you will just have Devils –1.5 at +200.
Prior to his injury, Hughes was leading the league in points with 20 in a mere 10 games, which included five goals. With the extended absence, he’ll have the freshest legs on the ice and will be looking to make an impact immediately upon returning to the lineup.
Additionally, Hughes has dominated the Rangers over the past two years, scoring nine times over the past 12 games. Many of those goals came against Shesterkin, which means he should have no issues with the regression-expected-Quick.
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Rangers vs Devils moneyline and Over/Under analysis
The Rangers opened as –115 favorites and have since been bet down to a pick ‘em. This line movement is certainly due to the expectation that Hughes will be returning to the lineup on Saturday.
That brings us to the total, which opened at 6.5 and at that number. There should be some give-and-take here as, while Quick is due for regression, Vitek Vanecek is slated to take the crease for New Jersey and is better than his .889 SV% this season suggests.
The Under is 4-1 in the past five meetings between these teams.
Rangers vs Devils betting trend to know
New Jersey has won four of the past five meetings between these two clubs. Find more NHL betting trends for Rangers vs. Devils.
Rangers vs Devils game info
| Location: | Prudential Center, Newark, NJ |
| Date: | Saturday, November 18, 2023 |
| Puck drop: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
Rangers vs Devils latest injuries
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