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The Eastern Conference playoff race only got tighter over the weekend.
The New York Rangers split their back-to-back to take over the final wild-card spot, but they are just one point ahead of the Montreal Canadiens and two in front of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Blue Jackets will look to close the gap with the Rangers with a win over the New Jersey Devils on Monday night.
The Devils are a -140 favorite in Columbus at the time of writing.
Find out which side we’re backing in this pivotal matchup and check out an exclusive Fanatics Sportsbook promo below.
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Devils vs. Blue Jackets odds
| Teams | Puck line | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Devils | -1.5 (+170) | -140 | o6 (-110) |
| Blue Jackets | +1.5 (-205) | +115 | u6 (-110) |
Devils vs. Blue Jackets prediction
The Devils have been through the wringer in recent weeks.
Not only did the Devils watch their record deteriorate after a strong start, but things went from bad to worse when Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton were injured and ruled out for the rest of the campaign.
Frustration in the fanbase only grew when the Devils let the trade deadline come and go without making significant improvements.
The Devils stopped the bleeding with a three-game winning streak last week, but they saw that run come to an ugly end in a 7-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday.
The issue for the Devils going forward is they don’t really have an identity anymore.
They can’t be considered a high-powered offense without Hughes and Hamilton, and they are struggling to keep the puck out of the net lately.
Most concerning is that the Devils are getting outplayed at 5-on-5. Early on, New Jersey had one of the best statistical profiles at even strength. Those numbers have tanked lately.
Devils vs. Blue Jackets pick
While the Devils may lack an identity right now, the Blue Jackets do not.
Columbus is here to party.
The Jackets are a flawed team – especially defensively – but they’re dynamic going forward and are happy to exchange scoring chances with their opponents and bet on themselves coming out ahead.
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That sounds like a matchup nightmare for the Devils given where their game is at right now.
Even with the injuries, the Devils are the better team on paper. But the Blue Jackets should cause all sorts of problems for New Jersey and could turn this game into a track meet.
That puts some value on the Jackets as a home underdog.
Pick: Blue Jackets moneyline (+115, Fanatics)
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Why Trust New York Post Betting
Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.