The first round of the 2022-23 NHL postseason officially comes to a close with tonight's Game 7 between the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils.
Check out my favorite bets and players props for Rangers vs. Devils Game 7 below. Round 2, here we come.
Rangers vs. Devils ML Bet
| Pick | Rangers ML -103 |
| Book | BetRivers |
| Puck Drop | 8 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
This game is going to be extremely divisive for all bettors, fans and analysts depending on where certain strengths are rated by each person.
As expected, the Devils have controlled more of the overall play in this series at even strength with a 54.6% expected even strength goal share. Factoring in special teams, the Devils own a 51.6% expected goal share.
On paper, it's easy to say the Devils are more well-rounded and that there's a meaningful edge with their roster, which holds several more dominant two-way forwards. However, New York proved last season how easily it can mitigate those edges and hang in with a relatively modest share of the overall play.
With Igor Shesterkin in net, it's all about not making extreme breakdowns.
If the Rangers don't allow many breakaways, odd-man rushes and passes through the box in the zone, Shesterkin could become a massive factor. That's a gigantic edge in what will likely be a very closely contested Game 7 in which neither team should make many mistakes.
It's easy to forget the Rangers got caved in far worse last year versus the Pens before taking Game 7 in overtime. They also found a way in Game 7 on the road versus an elite Carolina side.
I'm not typically the type to rate experience and "clutch" factors for much in my handicapping process, but they could become key in this matchup. This certainly does feel like a spot where the Rangers will be playing at their highest level and shouldn't make many mistakes.
Everything goes out the window in Game 7, and a huge part of the story simply becomes which team can stick with its game. We saw that storyline last night in Boston, as the Panthers took it to the historically strong Bruins for the opening two periods before closing it out in overtime.
Lastly, road teams continue to absolutely dominate in Game 7s in the NHL, as we saw again last night. Maybe there's something to that, as there's simply so much tension in the arena once home teams get into tough situations.
That trend goes a little out the window when a third of the crowd will be in Ranger blue tonight, but it's still an interesting note.
I'm willing to trust Shesterkin and the Rangers to find a way tonight despite fully acknowledging they have some clear flaws compared to the Devils.
Pick: Rangers ML -103 |
Rangers vs. Devils Player Prop
| Pick | Filip Chytil Anytime Goalscorer +500 |
| Book | bet365 |
| Puck Drop | 8 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
Goals should be at a premium in this matchup, which is certainly something to be aware of when targeting any time goal scorer prices. This one really jumped out to me, however, and I believe it's worth a smaller wager at +500.
Chytil came through in a number of big spots last year and had seven goals in 20 playoff games, including three in the Rangers' elimination games versus Carolina. He's in a good spot to generate offense, skating alongside Artemi Panarin and Kaapo Kakko, who controlled play to a 55.8% expected goals share in Game 6.
Chytil's 1.9 individual expected goals in the series ranks second on the team behind Chris Kreider, who sits at four.
