New York Rangers
Gerard Gallan received good and experienced support for the playoffs, but the end of the regular season in April was a blur. The Blueshirts have lost 5 of their last 8 games, losing to underdog teams compared to New Jersey – twice to Buffalo in St. Louis and missed an opportunity to use their own ice. It was the “demons” that started the negative section at the end of the regular season and were generally never beaten by the New Yorkers in regular time for 4 friendlies this season.
New Jersey Devils
Linda Ruff’s team had a very worthy Main Event and ended up winning the Capital Division, but one win wasn’t enough. Nevertheless, there is the advantage of the home ice, where the “demons” have not lost in the last 7 matches, including the defeat of the New Yorkers on the last day of March, which, combined with excellent conditions and personals on the way with them, make them the favorite of the initial confrontation for me.
Forecast
Thus, New Jersey defended its home rink advantage in a shocking end to the regular season, did not lose to worse-in-class opponents and won the last 5 games of the regular season. The recent results of Linda Raff’s team were much better towards the end of the regular season, and in confrontations with the Rangers, the hosts scored in every game of the season, playing 4-3 overtime and 2-1 at home, as well as 5-3 and 3-4 OT, which together allows you to trust “demons”.