Akira Schmid has almost single-handedly saved the Devils' season between the pipes, but Igor Shesterkin hasn't been too shabby himself. Outstanding goalie play has been the story of this series, and it should continue in Game 6, per our NHL betting picks.
The New York Rangers have their backs against the wall at Madison Square Garden for Game 6 against the New Jersey Devils.
The Devils have won three straight games to give themselves an opportunity to end the series on the road tonight, but the close-out game is always the hardest in a series.
The Rangers have only scored two goals in their last three games, including a shutout defeat in Game 5. They have made some changes to the lineup in order to try and boost their offensive production in this spot.
New York always seems to thrive when the pressure is on, but can they find a way to win a game at home and send this series to a Game 7?
Find out my best bet in our free NHL picks and predictions for Devils vs. Rangers on April 29.
Odds courtesy of DraftKings as of April 29.
Game 5 was a rough night for the New York Rangers. The New Jersey Devils scored a goal in the opening minute of the game and appeared to never look back.
Scoring goals is the biggest concern for the Rangers right now. They have scored twice in the last three games of this series, and they seem to have no answers for the Devils’ Akira Schmid.
Schmid has been outstanding in the blue paint since coming into this series in Game 3. He is boasting a .976 SV% and a 0.63 GAA. The Rangers haven’t been able to rattle him, and I’m not quite sure if it’s even possible.
Both goaltenders have done their jobs in this series. Igor Shesterkin has been amazing for the Rangers, but he’s just not getting the support offensively. Shesterkin is skating to a .938 SV% and a 1.75 GAA.
Elimination games are typically tighter defensively, and the Under has hit in the last four games at Madison Square Garden. I’m going with the Under again tonight.
My best bet: Under 5.5 (-130 at BetMGM)
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This series has been very back-and-forth. It didn’t feel like we would be talking about a Game 6 after the first two games of the series in which the Rangers dominated. Now, fast forward one week later, we are talking about the Rangers trying to avoid elimination.
This Blueshirts group has always seemed to find their best game when their backs are against the wall over the last couple of years. It’s tough to imagine them losing all three games at home in this series.
New York has changed up their first three lines of forwards in order to try and create some sort of spark offensively. Obviously things haven’t been clicking for them in the offensive end lately, but there is too much talent on this roster for them to not find a way to figure it out.
The Devils have been incredible in the last two games, truly playing their brand of hockey. There is no doubt that the Devils are the better team right now, but this is an unfamiliar situation for them as they now look to finish the series.
There is a ton of pressure on both sides, but I have to think the more desperate team finds a way to win. I’m leaning toward the Rangers in Game 6.
The Under has hit in each of the last three games of this series. There was a ton of discussion about the offensive talent on both sides before the series began, but now the conversation has shifted to the goaltending.
Schmid and Shesterkin have been putting on a show, and I expect them to do the same thing again tonight.
Both of these teams are in the Bottom 3 for scoring in the playoffs. The Rangers are averaging 2.40 goals per game, while the Devils are skating to 2.20 goals per contest.
With the Rangers’ season on the line, I expect way more urgency out of them, while trying to tighten things up defensively. We should see another low-scoring affair.
The Under has hit in three games in a row in this series. Find more NHL betting trends for Devils vs. Rangers.
Jonny Lazarus has loved hockey for as long as he can remember. After his Division I playing career at UMass-Amherst and Mercyhurst University came to an end in 2020, he transitioned from being a player to working in the media. He might be young in his career, but he has made appearances in numerous places like the NHL, and Bleacher Report, and this season he will be doing color commentary for a selection of UMass-Amherst hockey games.
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