The New York Rangers entered the All-Star Break on a high-note, winning four of their last six games. But welcoming them in their return to competition are the tough New Jersey Devils. New Jersey has one of the best defenses in the league led by stellar goaltender Corey Schneider. Can he beat the breaks on the Rangers’ hot scoring streak?
It’s going to be one hell of a matchup in the Hudson River Rivalry. Don’t miss a beat when these bitter rivals meet, so read on and gear up for a big game. If you’re looking for more scorching NHL action, then check out our complete previews for the Panthers vs. Capitals and Blues vs. Predators.
Derick Brassard had the best night of a New York Ranger in five years. He scored two goals and had three assists for a career-best five points. Two of his helpers set up crucial third-period goals by J.T. Miller and Mats Zuccarello for a 6-3 victory over Buffalo on January 25. The Rangers now return to the road after the All-Star Break, where they’ve gone 2-4 in their last six.
Having Brassard red hot is important for the Rangers. He’s the first player to tally five points in a game since Ryan Callahan in March 2011. He’s also the first player to have four points in a single period since Sean Avery on March 2007. But he hasn’t had the best of performances against the Devils in his career; he has five points in 14 career games against New Jersey.
With Brassard hounding New Jersey’s net, Zuccarello and Rick Nash could finish off scoring opportunities. Zuccarello has 10 points (six goals and four assists) and a plus/minus of nine in 16 career games against the Devils. Meanwhile, Nash has eight goals and two assists in 18 games. Having plenty of scoring options should help the Rangers crack New Jersey’s solid goaltending.
Speaking of goaltending, Henrik Lundqvist has been pretty good recently. He’s 4-1 with a 2.00 GAA and .931 save percentage in his last five starts. He’s 2-1 on the road over that span.
Lundqvist is 5-0 with a 1.60 GAA in his last five starts against the Devils.
Betting on the New Jersey Devils (25-20-5)
Cory Schneider has been brilliant between the pipes for the New Jersey Devils. He’s 4-1 in his last five starts with a 1.60 GAA and .947 save percentage. But he’s been inconsistent at home, going 9-8-3 with a .916 save percentage in 20 home games this season.
If the Devils are to end their five-game losing streak to the Rangers, then they’ll need their goalie to have a big game. Schneider has been the lifeblood of the team, which has struggled to find the back of the net this season. The Devils are 29th in the league in scoring with just 2.2 goals per game this season.
New Jersey’s offense will flow through Michael Cammalleri. He leads the team with 38 points and 24 assists this season. He has 18 points in 18 career games against the Rangers. It’ll be up to Cammalleri to set up the Devils’ other scorers.
Kyle Palmieri has been the Devils’ best goal-scorer with 20 goals this season. Adam Henrique is a few steps behind with 16 goals. If Cammalleri can set up either of the two solid scorers, then they have a good chance to crack the Rangers’ Henrik Lundqvist. The New York goalie has seemingly lost a step this season. His 2.41 GAA is his highest in a season since 2008-09.
The total has gone over in five of the last seven matchups between the Rangers and Devils.
Writer’s Prediction
The Rangers start the second half of the season with a victory over New Jersey.
