Join Daily Faceoff’s Andy MacNeil as he covers Thursday’s game between the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers.

Devils vs Rangers odds

• New Jersey Devils money line: -160
• New York Rangers money line: +135
• Puck line: Devils -1.5 (+150), Rangers +1.5 (-185)
• Total Game: 6 (over -120, under +100)

Match odds via Sports Interaction.

Devils handicap (25-18 SU, 20-23 ATS, 14-27-2 O/U)

New Jersey will look to end its six-game road trip on a positive note on Thursday. The Devils lost the first four games of the series and fell 5-2 to the Hurricanes before losing three more games in California. They lost to the Ducks (3-2), Kings (3-0) and Sharks (3-2) before finally getting back on the winning list with a 3-2 win over the Kraken in Seattle.

The Devils have won both meetings against the Rangers so far this season. New Jersey beat the Rangers 5-1 in New York on December 2nd and then shut them out at home (5-0) on December 23rd. New York had previously won four straight meetings against the Devils, so the two teams have split the last 10 meetings.

According to Evolving Hockey, New Jersey is the best five-on-five team in terms of expected goals with a 56.3 percent percentage. The Devils also rank sixth in five-on-five shooting percentage. Although the Devils rank second in expected goals per 60 minutes, they rank 18th in five-on-five goal percentage. However, they rank second on the power play, having converted 28.93 percent of their chances so far this season.

New Jersey also leads the league defensively, ranking fourth in expected goals against and third in goals against at five-on-five. Only three teams allowed fewer goals than New Jersey in all situations and were the sixth-best team in penalty kills (83.33 percent).

According to head coach Sheldon Keefe, Jacob Markstrom will start on Thursday. Markstrom is 20-8-2 this season with a .911 save percentage and 2.17 goals-against average. The 34-year-old is also 15-4-1 since November 7 and is currently among the top 10 goalies in goals saved above expectations.

Rangers Handicap (18-22 SU, 19-21 ATS, 19-20-1 O/U)

Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin has missed the last four games due to injury, but participated fully in practice on Wednesday, and the team has confirmed that he will indeed start against the Devils on Thursday. As a result, New York’s moneyline odds have improved from +145 to +135, but considering how little the odds have changed, it seems like sportsbooks were already counting on his return to profitability.

In 19 regular-season games against New Jersey, Shesterkin compiled a 10-6-1 record with a 2.84 goals-against average and .914 save percentage. However, he is just 5-for-13 since November 7th, and that includes a game against the Devils on December 5th in which he allowed five goals on just 23 shots. However, Shesterkin was hung out to dry. The Rangers allowed more shots against all but one team, and only three teams allowed more expected goals against.

According to Evolving Hockey, New York ranks 25th in five-on-five expected goals rate and 21st in shot attempt rate. The Rangers also performed poorly offensively, ranking 19th in goals per 60 minutes, but they were unlucky. New York actually ranks among the top 10 teams in expected goals and shots.

Matt Rempe will return from his eight-game suspension on Thursday, according to head coach Peter Laviolette. Arthur Kaliyev will also play his first game for the Rangers. However, striker Chris Kreider is out with an upper body injury.

Best bet for Devils vs. Rangers

I wanted to bet that Jack Hughes would score at any time. He hasn’t scored in six games and has only scored in one of his last 10 games. However, he had a lot of success against the Rangers, scoring 15 goals in 22 games against New York. The last time he faced the Rangers in New York he was listed at +200 odds, but now he is listed at +150 odds. I think that’s because the oddsmakers weren’t sure if Shesterkin would start and they didn’t adjust the price since it was confirmed he would be in the crease. That’s why I focused on hindering the first third.

• New Jersey Devils -0.5 (first period) +140 at Sports Interaction

New Jersey has beaten New York 3-0 in the first period so far this season. While the Devils are not the strongest offensive team when it comes to goals scored in the first period, the Rangers are among the ten worst teams when it comes to goals conceded in the first period. Although the +140 odds are attractive, bettors should shop around at different sportsbooks to find the best price.

Follow Andy’s hockey betting on the Action app!