New York Rangers vs New Jersey Devils: Predictions, Odds and Roster Notes

Where: Prudential Center – Newark, NJ.

When: Thursday, January 31st, 7PM EST.

How (TV/Radio): MSG, MSG+ | WFAN

New York Rangers (Away)

Head Coach: David Quinn {All-Time 21-20-7 NYR}

The New York Rangers have been up and down all season long. They rode a 3-game winning streak into the all-star break but don’t let that confuse you – they went 4-6-0 in that final ten game stretch.

Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist is expected to start this game for the Rangers, and although his numbers are better than New Jersey’s Keith Kinkaid (also expected to start), there are some concerns with this potential match-up. Lundqvist is going up against one of the highest-shooting teams in the league and he has yet to register a single shutout this season. His 3.01 goals against average and .908 save percentage should raise an eyebrow or two for those thinking a Rangers victory is a sure thing. The Rangers are also ranked 28th in the league in shots against – averaging 33.3 shots allowed per game.

The other glaring concern is how poorly the Rangers have played on the road this season – and how well the Devils have played on home ice. New York is 8-14-2 on the road this season. Trying to pick up two points in the standings against a divisional rival that is 13-6-4 at the Prudential Center will prove no easy feat.

New Jersey Devils (Home)

Head Coach: John Hynes {All-Time 128-128-38 NJD}

The glaring concern for the New Jersey Devils is the health of superstar forward Taylor Hall. After missing out on the all-star game, there is still no official word on an expected return.Hall has yet to even hit the ice for practise or any optional skates with the team. This absence could be seen as a major reason why the Devils went into the all-star break in the opposite fashion as their opponents; with a 3-game losing streak.

Against any other team, the Rangers’ powerplay would be a concern. But as long as the Devils stay composed, their second-place ranked penalty kill should be good enough to spoil what is almost the only advantage the Rangers have heading into this game.

Although goaltender Corey Schneider is skating again and newcomer Mackenzie Blackwood has been playing well as of late, it is expected that Keith Kinkaid will get the start for this game. Kinkaid’s numbers have been lacklustre, with a record of 13-14-6 and a save percentage of .899. The absence of defenseman Ben Lovejoy (still on IR) may play a big factor in this game.

All in all, by the numbers, the slightest edge goes to the New Jersey Devils in this matchup.

These two teams last met back on April 3rd, 2018 where the Devils won with a score of 5-2.

What’s At Stake?

Points! Big points. Most refer to the all-star break as the midway point of the season and both of these teams, especially being in the same division, need every point they can get to crawl into playoff contention. The New York Rangers currently find themselves in 11th place in the East with 49 points. The Devils sit in 15th place in the East with 43 points. Both teams still have the chance to find themselves in a wildcard position by the end of the season.

Questions to answer

Will the special teams of the Rangers and Devils cancel eachother out?

Can the Rangers lock down their blue line and not allow the Devils as many shots? If they can’t, how will goaltender Henrik Lundqvist handle the pressure?

Will their bye-week as well as the all-star break have given the Devils enough time to rest and focus on breaking their losing ways?

New York Rangers Injury Report

D Neal Pionk – day-to-day (lower-body)

D Fredrik Claesson – IR (shoulder)

F Kevin Hayes – day-to-day (upper-body)

New Jersey Devils Injury Report

D Ben Lovejoy – IR (upper-body)

F Miles Wood – IR (lower-body)

F Stefan Noesen – IR (lower-body)

F Taylor Hall – IR (lower-body)

F Joey Anderson – IR (fractured ankle)

New York Rangers at New Jersey Devils Predictions and Odds

The New Jersey Devils (-155) are the favorites over the New York Rangers (+130).