NHL Betting Preview (January 9): Devils vs. Rangers odds

On By Littum

Join Daily Faceoff’s Andy MacNeil as he handicaps Thursday’s matchup between the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers.

Devils vs. Rangers Odds

  • New Jersey Devils Moneyline: -160
  • New York Rangers Moneyline: +135
  • Puck line: Devils -1.5 (+150), Rangers +1.5 (-185)
  • Total Games: 6 (Over -120, Under +100)

Sports betting via Sports Interaction.

Handicap the Devils (25-18 SU, 20-23 ATS, 14-27-2 O/U)

New Jersey will look to end its six-game road trip on a positive note on Thursday. The Devils lost the first four games of the trip, falling 5-2 to the Hurricanes before dropping three more games in California. They lost to the Ducks (3-2), Kings (3-0) and Sharks (3-2) before finally getting back into the win column with a 3-2 victory over the Kraken in Seattle.

The Devils have won both meetings against the Rangers so far this season. New Jersey defeated the Rangers 5-1 in New York on December 2nd and then shut them out at home (5-0) on December 23rd. New York had won four straight meetings against the Devils before that, so the two teams have split the last 10 meetings.

Per Evolving Hockey, New Jersey is the best five-on-five team through the lens of expected goals, controlling a 56.3 percent share. The Devils are also sixth in five-on-five shot attempt percentage. But despite ranking second in expected goals per 60 minutes, the Devils rank 18th in five-on-five goals for. That said, they rank second on the power play, having converted on 28.93 percent of their opportunities so far this season.

New Jersey is also elite defensively, ranking fourth in expected goals against and third in shots against at five-on-five. Only three teams have allowed fewer goals than New Jersey in all situations, and they have been the sixth-best team on the penalty kill (83.33 percent).

Jacob Markstrøm starting on Thursday, according to head coach Sheldon Keefe. Markstrom is 20-8-2 this season with a .911 save percentage and 2.17 goals against average. The 34-year-old is also 15-4-1 since Nov. 7 and is currently among the top 10 goaltenders in goals saved above expectation.

Handicap of Rangers (18-22 SU, 19-21 ATS, 19-20-1 O/U)

Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin has missed the last four games due to injury, but was a full participant in practice on Wednesday, and the team has confirmed that he will in fact start against the Devils on Thursday. As a result, New York’s moneyline odds have improved from +145 to +135, but given how little the odds have changed, it appears the sportsbooks had already anticipated his return to the fold.

In 19 regular-season games against New Jersey, Shesterkin has posted a 10-6-1 record with a 2.84 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage. That said, he has gone just 5-13 dating back to Nov. 7, and that includes a game against the Devils on Dec. 5 where he allowed five goals on just 23 shots. However, Shesterkin has been hung out to dry. The Rangers have allowed more shots against than all but one team, and only three teams have allowed more expected goals against.

According to Evolving Hockey, New York ranks 25th in five-on-five expected goal percentage and 21st in shot attempt percentage. Rangers also rate poorly offensively, ranking 19th in goals per 60 minutes, but they have been unlucky. New York actually ranks among the top 10 teams in expected goals and shots.

Matt Rempe returns from his eight-game suspension on Thursday. according to head coach Peter Laviolette. Arthur Kaliyev will also play his first game for Rangers. However, forward Chris Kreider remains out with an upper body injury.

Best Bet for Devils vs. Rangers

I’d bet Jack Hughes would score a goal anytime. He has not scored in six games and has only found the back of the net in one of his last 10 games. However, he has had great success against the Rangers, scoring 15 goals in 22 games against New York. The last time he faced the Rangers in New York, he was listed at +200 odds, but now he is listed at +150. I think that’s because oddsmakers weren’t sure if Shesterkin would start, and they haven’t adjusted the price since it was confirmed that he would be in. Therefore, I have turned my focus to handicapping the first period.

  • New Jersey Devils -0.5 (First Period) +140 at Sports Interaction

New Jersey has outscored New York 3-0 in the first period so far this season. While the Devils aren’t the most potent offensive team in first period scoring, the Rangers rank in the bottom 10 in first period goals against. Although +140 odds are appealing, punters should shop around at different sportsbooks to find the best price.

Follow Andy’s hockey bets on the Action app!