New York Rangers vs New Jersey Devils - Battle of Hudson River - Prediction 3/7/26
Updated July 9, 2026
The "Hudson River Rivalry" takes center stage at the Prudential Center this Saturday, March 7, 2026, as the New Jersey Devils (31-29-2) host the New York Rangers (23-29-8). Both teams are reeling from a chaotic trade deadline and a grueling post-Olympic schedule. The Rangers are in the midst of a significant "retool," having moved franchise icons like Artemi Panarin, while the Devils are fighting to stay relevant in a top-heavy Metropolitan Division. With the playoffs looming, this matchup serves as a desperate gut check for two squads heading in opposite directions. Continue reading for my Devils vs Rangers prediction, or find more predictions on our NHL page.
Pick: New Jersey Devils Moneyline (-135) ATS PRO
Confidence: ★★★★☆
The Rangers enter this contest as a shell of their former selves. Since the February 5 trade that sent Artemi Panarin to Los Angeles, New York’s offensive production has plummeted, averaging just 2.1 goals per game. Furthermore, the Rangers have struggled immensely as road underdogs this season, sporting a 12-23 record in that spot. New Jersey, conversely, has found a second wind after the Olympic break, winning three of their last four games. The Devils have also seen the "Under" hit in four of their last five home games, suggesting a tight, defensive battle is on the horizon.
With Panarin traded and J.T. Miller on IR, the Rangers are missing their two most impactful offensive creators. The pressure now falls squarely on Mika Zibanejad and Alexis Lafrenière to carry the load. However, without a consistent power-play threat to draw gravity, they may find themselves smothered by a Devils' defense that has regained its footing since Luke Hughes returned to the top pair.
This game features a high-end goaltending matchup between Igor Shesterkin (.911 SV%) and Jacob Markström (.890 SV% but trending up). Markström is coming off a massive performance against Florida and Toronto, looking like the vezina-caliber stopper New Jersey traded for. If he can outduel Shesterkin, the Rangers simply don't have the depth scoring to recover.
Score Projection: New Jersey 3 – New York 1 ATS PRO
Win Probability: New Jersey 57.5%, New York 42.5% ATS PRO
The Rangers are effectively a team in transition. Losing J.T. Miller right after trading Panarin is a devastating blow to a roster that already lacked secondary scoring. New Jersey is finally getting healthy at the right time and has the home-ice advantage. Expect Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier to exploit a depleted Rangers center depth, leading the Devils to a comfortable victory.
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