The two best words in sports are: game seven, tonight we get one. The New York Rangers will face off against the New Jersey Devils in game 7 of their Eastern Conference first-round series on Monday night.
Before we get to your picks for this exciting game 7 in the NHL playoffs, you will want to check out our list of the best hockey betting sites and the Vegas odds for the upcoming 2023 NHL playoffs games.
Game Preview
The Rangers and Devils are meeting for the third time in a game 7, with the Rangers holding a 2-0 advantage. If that wasn’t enough pressure, the Devils are attempting to win their first playoff series in 11 seasons. The Rangers started this series with a 2-0 series lead before the Devils won 3 straight.
The Rangers are experienced in elimination games posting a 6-1 record in their last 7. The Devils are hoping they finally get the better of their cross-river rival. The winner of this series will go on to face the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the props available for the game including the total number of goals.
Total Goals
Oddsmakers have had to make adjustments to the totals throughout this series. The first two games of the series the Rangers won with ease scoring 10 total goals. However, when the Devils switched goaltenders from Vitek Vanescek to Akira Schmid the Rangers offense dried up.
After the Devils made the goaltender switch the Under started cashing. The total of 5.5 goals is a low one, indicating the oddsmakers have faith in these goaltenders to keep the puck out of the net.
On the other side of the ice, Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin has been equally as impressive. He’s been stopping opponents posting a 1.79 goals-against average and .939 save percentage this series. These goalies have earned their respect and the oddsmakers have responded with a total of just 5.5. goals.
While everything indicates this should be a low-scoring close game, something is telling me to go the other way. In game 7’s you have to take everything you know about these teams and throw it out the window.
Game 7s are very unpredictable which is the primary reason they are so coveted.
I would recommend betting over 5.5. goals in this matchup.
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Money Line
The Devils are favored in this matchup and priced at -120 indicating they have about a 54% chance to win. The oddsmakers believe this game is a coin flip. The Devils had their chance to win the series in game 6 but were unable to hold onto an early lead and close out the Rangers.
Even though the Devils don’t have the playoff experience the Rangers have, there are some players on the Devils squad with game 7 experience.
Ondrej Palat played in six game7’s while he was a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Devils also add defensemen John Marino and Brendan Smith as players with game 7 experience as well.
This Rangers team is as good as it gets in game 7’s. They have won three straight game 7’s on the road dating back to 2009. In addition to winning three straight game 7’s on the road, the Rangers are 8-1 in their last 9 game 7’s. That’s a phenomenal record in game 7’s.
You can get even money on Bovada if you choose to back the New York Rangers, which I won’t blame you but I won’t advise it.
I am picking the New Jersey Devils on the money line because I can’t shake this feeling that they finally defeat the Rangers. They’ve been a better team all season and I believe they’ll figure it out one more time and advance to the next round.
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