Rangers vs Devils Picks and Prediction – 4/5/2025

The New York Rangers (36-32-7) are set to face the New Jersey Devils (40-29-7) at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on Saturday, April 5, 2025. The puck drops at 12:30 PM ET, with the game broadcast nationally on ABC and available for streaming on ESPN+. Get in on the action with our free NHL picks.

The Rangers are currently battling for a playoff spot, trailing the Montreal Canadiens by two points for the second wild-card position in the Eastern Conference. They are aiming for their third consecutive win, a feat they haven't achieved since November. In their most recent outing, New York secured a 5-4 overtime victory against the Minnesota Wild, with Vincent Trocheck netting the game-winning goal just 24 seconds into the extra period. Artemi Panarin contributed significantly with a goal and two assists, continuing his impressive form with 11 goals and 23 points over the past 16 games. The Rangers' power play has struggled recently, going 3-for-50 over their past 18 games, a statistic they'll look to improve upon in this crucial matchup. ​

The Devils have had a solid season and are positioned comfortably in third place in the Metropolitan Division. They are coming off a 3-2 shootout win over the Minnesota Wild, with Luke Hughes and Nico Hischier scoring in regulation, and Paul Cotter and Jesper Bratt converting in the shootout. Despite missing key players Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton since early March, New Jersey has managed a 7-6-1 record in their absence. The Devils have dominated the season series against the Rangers, winning two of the three previous meetings by a combined score of 10-1, though they fell 3-2 in overtime in their last encounter on January 9. ​

This "Battle of the Hudson" carries significant implications for both teams. The Rangers are desperate for points to keep their playoff hopes alive, while the Devils aim to solidify their position and gain momentum heading into the postseason. In this matchup we like Panarin and the desperate Rangers to get a big win 3-2.