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.
Our Devils vs Rangers Pick
Pick:
Confidence: ★★★★☆
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: New York Rangers vs New Jersey Devils
- Date & Time: Saturday, March 7, 2026, 3:00 PM ET
- Venue: Prudential Center
- Broadcast: MSG, MSG+, ESPN+
Betting Insights
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.
New Jersey Devils Injury Report
- Brett Pesce (D): Questionable. Pesce missed Wednesday’s game against Toronto with an undisclosed lower-body injury and is considered day-to-day.
- Luke Hughes (D): Probable. After returning from a shoulder injury in late February, Hughes has looked back to full speed, logging over 20 minutes in recent outings.
- Stefan Noesen (RW): Out. Noesen remains sidelined until mid-March following knee surgery.
- Zack MacEwen (RW): Out for the season (ACL).
New York Rangers Injury Report
- J.T. Miller (C): Out. The Rangers captain was placed on Injured Reserve on March 3 with a new upper-body injury. He is expected to miss at least a week.
- Matt Rempe (C): Out. Dealing with a thumb/upper-body injury.
- Adam Edstrom (C): Out. Sidelined with a lower-body ailment.
Key Storylines
The Leadership Vacuum
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.
Goaltending Duel
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.
Fun Facts
- The Hughes Supremacy: Since 2019, Jack Hughes has recorded 28 points in 23 games against the Rangers—the most of any NHL skater against the Blueshirts in that period.
- Markström’s Mastery: Devils goalie Jacob Markström holds a stellar 12-4-3 career record and a .925 save percentage against the Rangers, making him one of the most successful active goalies against the New York franchise.
Devils vs Rangers Model Projection
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Final Thoughts
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