The New Jersey Devils, currently holding a record of 34-31-2, are set to take on the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. This NHL regular season clash will take place on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 7:00 PM. Fans can catch the action live on TNT.
Under the guidance of head coach Sheldon Keefe, the Devils have shown flashes of strong performance, particularly in their recent win against the Boston Bruins with a score of 4-3. However, their conference record of 15-23 and division record of 5-14 highlight the challenges they’ve faced throughout the season. With their ranking at 13th in the conference and 7th in the division, the Devils aim to leverage this game to strengthen their position.
The New York Rangers, led by head coach Mike Sullivan, come into this game with a record of 28-31-8. Despite recent setbacks, such as a 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings, the Rangers have managed to maintain competitiveness with a conference record of 18-20. Positioned at 16th in the conference and 8th in the division, the Rangers are determined to make a statement on home ice against their Eastern Metropolitan rivals.
Rangers vs Devils At a Glance
- Game Venue: Madison Square Garden
- Game Date & Time: Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 7:00 PM
- TV Coverage: TNT
- Away Team Record: New Jersey Devils (34-31-2)
- Home Team Record: New York Rangers (28-31-8)
- Game Favorite: New Jersey Devils with a MoneyLine of -115
Rangers Gear Up for Battle Against the Blue Jackets
Team Overview
The Columbus Blue Jackets are set to challenge the New York Rangers in their upcoming away game. Columbus has been a team known for their high physicality, leading the league with 1,720 hits this season. Their ability to physically dominate could be a deciding factor in this contest.
Offensively, the Blue Jackets have shown a balanced attack. With 187 goals this season, they rank 20th in the league, indicating a need to capitalize on scoring opportunities. However, their power play has been more effective, ranking 10th with 41 power play goals.
Key Players
One of the standout players for the Blue Jackets this season has been their ability to win faceoffs. Ranking 6th in faceoffs won, their proficiency at controlling puck possession has been crucial. This aspect of their game will be significant against the Rangers.
Defensively, the Blue Jackets have been solid with 993 blocks, ranking 14th in the league. This defensive prowess is essential to stopping a Rangers team that has multiple scoring threats.
Goaltending Strengths
In goal, the Blue Jackets’ netminders have been reliable, with 1,741 saves this season. The consistency in goal has provided a backbone for their defensive strategy, making it difficult for opponents to score easily.
Despite not having any shutouts this season, their overall goals against ranking is 10th, showing that they can limit high-scoring games. The goaltending unit will need to be sharp to counter the Rangers’ offensive attacks.
Team Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: 2-1 (66.7%)
- SU Last 5: 4-1 (80.0%)
- SU Last 10: 5-5 (50.0%)
- Puckline Last 3: 2-1 (66.7%)
- Puckline Last 5: 4-1 (80.0%)
- Puckline Last 10: 7-3 (70.0%)
- O/U Last 3: 1-2 (33.3%)
- O/U Last 5: 2-3 (40.0%)
Devils on the Ice: New Jersey’s Battle Against the Rangers
Rangers’ Offensive Overview
The Rangers have shown a competitive edge with 176 goals this season, ranking 22nd in the league. While their assists tally stands at 297, which places them 27th, they are known for creating numerous shot opportunities. Notably, their 2002 shots on goal rank 7th, showcasing their ability to apply consistent pressure on opposing defenses.
Power play efficiency is another strength, with the Rangers netting 38 power play goals, ranking 12th. This indicates a well-executed special teams strategy that the Devils need to counter effectively. Despite these offensive stats, the Rangers have also been prone to giveaways, with 1013 recorded, ranking them 15th in this category.
Defensive and Physical Game
On the defensive end, the Rangers have 930 blocked shots, ranking 22nd, reflecting a solid effort to protect their net. Their physicality is evident with 1267 hits, placing them 24th, which could be a factor in wearing down opponents over a game. However, their takeaways are notable, with 1835 recorded, ranking 11th, which could disrupt the Devils’ offensive plays.
Despite these defensive efforts, the Rangers have allowed 193 goals this season, ranking 14th. Their goaltending has been tested often, facing numerous shots but managing a decent save count of 1652. The absence of shutouts this season suggests some vulnerabilities in their net defense.
Key Players to Watch
The Rangers’ offensive game heavily relies on their ability to generate shots, with their skaters being among the top in the league for shots on goal. Players contributing to their power play success will be crucial in their strategy against the Devils. The Devils’ defense will need to be vigilant against the Rangers’ aggressive offensive style.
The Rangers’ physical style, marked by hits and shot-blocking, will be another aspect for the Devils to navigate. Key players known for their defensive prowess and physical play could be pivotal in maintaining pressure and disrupting the Devils’ rhythm.
Rangers’ Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: Information not provided
- SU Last 5: Information not provided
- Puckline All Games: Information not provided
- O/U All Games: Information not provided
Rangers vs Devils Prediction: Over 6.0
The recent encounter between the New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers ended with a total of 7 goals, suggesting both teams can produce high-scoring games. Given the Devils’ recent 4-3 win against the Boston Bruins, they are in good scoring form. Additionally, with Jack Hughes having achieved a hat trick against the Rangers earlier this month, the Devils’ offense could again be a key factor.
The New York Rangers have struggled defensively, as evidenced by their goals-against tally this season. With only 3 shutout wins, their defense has shown vulnerability, especially against teams with potent offenses. Considering these factors, the likelihood of a game exceeding the 6-goal mark increases.
With both teams ranked in the lower half of their division, defensive solidity has not been a hallmark of their season. This sets the stage for another high-scoring affair, especially at the offensive-friendly Madison Square Garden. The odds slightly favor the over, indicating potential for more goals.
Taking into account the offensive stats and the defensive records of both teams, a projected final score of Devils 5 – Rangers 3 aligns with the current form and head-to-head outcomes. Therefore, the over 6.0 bet appears to be a strong play for this game.
- Rangers vs Devils Prediction: Over 6.0
- Rangers vs Devils Score: Devils 5 – Rangers 3
