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- What: Game 5 NHL Eastern Conference Round 1 Playoffs
- Who: New York Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils
- Date: Thursday, April 27, 2023
- Location: Prudential Center in Newark, NJ
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- How to Watch: ESPN2, SN360, TVAS2, MSGSN, MSG
The 2023 NHL Eastern Conference playoff series between the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils is tied at 2-2. On Thursday, the teams had back to the New Jersey side of the Hudson River for Game 5. That matchup takes place at the Prudential Center in Newark. Neither team has won on home ice, nor has the home team scored more than one goal in each of the four games. The Devils look to end that streak after beating the Rangers 2-1 and 3-1 at Madison Square Garden in Game 3 and Game 4. Meanwhile, the Rangers took a 2-0 lead by topping the Devils 5-1 in the series’ first two games in front of New Jersey’s home crowd.
The Rangers were a 24-9-8 road team in the 2023 NHL regular season. As for the Devils, they had a 24-13-4 home record.
Before we look at the betting breakdown for Thursday’s 2023 NHL playoff matchup between the New York Rangers and the New Jersey Devils, check out our guide to betting on the 2023 Stanley Cup and our tips for betting on the NHL.
New York Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils betting picks for Game 5
| To Win Game 5 Eastern Conference Playoff Series |  |  |  |  |  |
| New York Rangers | +109 | +105 | +105 | +105 | +106 |
| New Jersey Devils | -120 | -125 | -125 | -125 | -130 |
New York Rangers betting breakdown
One thing the New York Rangers need to work on when their 2023 playoff series returns to New Jersey is turnovers. In the first two games, which the Rangers won, the team committed nine giveaways. In Games 3 and 4, which the Devils won, that number jumped to 34.
The Rangers also need to capitalize on power play opportunities. The club scored two power play goals in each of the series’ first two games but went 0-8 in Games 3-4.
Chris Kreider leads the Rangers in goals and points for the 2023 NHL postseason. He has five goals and six points. Besides Kreider, only Vladimir Tarasenko has more than one goal for the Rangers in the playoffs, and he has two.
Despite two losses, Igor Shesterkin has the second-best goals against average and save percentage in the 2023 NHL playoffs at 1.44 and .941.
New Jersey Devils betting breakdown
Have the New Jersey Devils solved what ailed them in Games 1 and 2 of their 2023 NHL playoff series against the New York Rangers? That’s the question facing the team after they lost 5-1 twice on home ice to open the series before bouncing back with wins in NYC in Games 3 and 4. Devils’ coach Lindy Ruff said the team looks to entertain too much on home ice. He also said the team suffered from playoff jitters in those first two games. If Ruff’s assessment is on the mark, the Devils should head home for Game 5 with confidence and an understanding of the game they must play if they want to defeat the Rangers at Prudential Center on Thursday.
Jack Hughes is the only Devils player with more than one goal. He has three in the series. As for points, Hughes is tied with Jesper Bratt with three for the team lead.
The Devils pulled Vitek Vanecek after he lost the first two games in net for the team. Akira Schmid started in goal in Games 3 and 4. Schmid played extremely well, winning both games and coming away with a 0.91 goals against average and a .966 save percentage. Those numbers put him at the top of the goalie rankings for the 2023 NHL playoffs.
Best bet for New York Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils game 5
The Devils did not wilt after getting blown out in Games 1 and 2 of their 2023 NHL playoff series against the New York Rangers. The team made the necessary changes to rebound in Games 3 and 4 and head back to New Jersey with all the pieces in place to get the win in Game 5. With that, the best bet for Game 5 is to pick the New Jersey Devils to beat the New York Rangers.
Pick: New Jersey Devils to beat New York Rangers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference NHL playoff series.
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