Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports/Sipa USA

New Jersey Devils vs New York Rangers: A big game in MSG

The New York Rangers are hosting the New Jersey Devils today at Madison Square Garden.

The Devils have a promising season

The New Jersey Devils are second in the Eastern Conference with a 16-9-2 record, including 10-4-0 on the road. They have won 4 of the last 6 games and are coming off a 6-5 loss to the Washington Capitals. The Devils are eighth in the league scoring 3.48 goals per game and are ranked sixth allowing 2.78. Jesper Bratt leads the team with 31 points so far in the season.

The Rangers are under pressure

The New York Rangers are sixth in the Eastern Conference with a 13-9-1 record, including 6-4-1 at home. They are coming off a 4-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens that ended their five-game losing streak. The Rangers are tenth in the league scoring 3.26 goals per game and are ranked seventh allowing 2.83. Artemi Panarin leads the team with 28 points so far in the season.

Betting Trends

The Rangers are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games overall, 8-3 SU in their last 11 home games against the Devils, and 11-5 SU in their last 16 games against teams from the Metropolitan Division. New York has played over the total point line in 4 of their last 5 games overall, 5 of their last 6 home games, and 4 of their last 6 games against teams from the Eastern Conference while has played under in 6 of their last 9 games against New Jersey. The Devils are 9-4 SU in their last 13 games overall, 1-5 SU in their last 6 games against the Rangers, and 6-1 SU in their last 7 games on the road. New Jersey has played over the total goal line in 9 of their last 13 games against teams from the Eastern Conference and 4 of their last 6 games against teams from the Metropolitan Division.

Prediction and Conclusion

The New York Rangers are struggling lately. They were on a five-game losing streak before ending it against the Montreal Canadiens on a power play goal in the final minute of the game. It seems like that win came at the right time, as the Rangers will host the New Jersey Devils tonight in a derby game of the Eastern Conference. The Devils have their best season in recent years and are coming off a loss to the Washington Capitals, the only team in front of them in the East. The Rangers won all four games against the Devils last season, but New Jersey is in much better form at the moment, so we go with the Devils to win tonight.