Archive note: Technical commentary has been removed. This remains historical pregame coverage; original selections have been retained where stated.
New Jersey Devils vs New York Rangers Prediction - March 31, 2026
Note: Final picks on our picks page may differ from this article's prediction, as they incorporate last-minute goalie confirmations, injury updates, and live odds closer to game time. Always check the picks page for the most up-to-date selections.
The New Jersey Devils travel to Madison Square Garden to face the New York Rangers in a critical Metropolitan Division matchup on March 31, 2026. The Devils enter as the team to beat on the numbers, but the Rangers' home-ice advantage and desperation could make this closer than expected.
Team Form & Recent Performance
The Devils bring momentum into this contest, winning three of their last five games and holding a 6-4-0 record in the sample we're analyzing. That consistency suggests a team playing structured hockey and converting opportunities at a reasonable rate.
The Rangers, meanwhile, have won only two of their last five games, compiling a 4-5-1 record. That's a notable difference in trajectory. New York appears to be struggling to find consistency, which is concerning heading into a divisional showdown. Both teams have normal rest schedules with one day between games, so fatigue is not a differentiating factor in this matchup.
This is where the Devils vs Rangers pick becomes clearer.
That 7.4-point edge indicates the Devils are controlling play and generating more volume in both directions of the ice.
This means the Devils are not just taking more shots—they're taking better shots from more dangerous areas.
In tight games, these differentials often determine outcomes.
Goalie Matchup
J. Markstrom takes the net for New Jersey with an impressive 22-17-1 record, while Igor Shesterkin counters for the Rangers at 23-16-6. Both goalies have been reliable this season, though Shesterkin's additional win speaks to the Rangers' occasional bright spots.
However, Markstrom has the advantage of standing behind a team generating significantly more high-quality chances. In a tight margin, goaltending can swing outcomes, but the Devils' dominance in shot quality and volume should favor Markstrom here.
Prediction
According to WP Hockey Predictor, the New Jersey Devils are favored to win this matchup with a Confident confidence tier, compared to the New York Rangers'.
The Devils Rangers pick leans toward the visitors, but this is a tight contest that could easily swing on a timely goal or Shesterkin's hot hand.
WP Pick: New Jersey Devils
Want to run your own scenarios? Run your own prediction with WP Hockey Predictor's calculator and test different matchups.
Note: Final picks on our picks page may differ from this article's prediction, as they incorporate last-minute goalie confirmations, injury updates, and live odds closer to game time. Always check the picks page for the most up-to-date selections.