NJ Devils & NY Rangers

The age-old tussle between the New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers spans well over 100 games, with relatively even odds for both teams. Upon closer inspection, it is clear that the New York Rangers have a slight lead in the ‘bad blood’ contest. Head-to-head, these teams have tangoed big league.

The New York Rangers have what their fans believe is a commanding lead over the New Jersey Devils with 58 wins, 51 losses, and 0 draws. For the New Jersey Devils, it's less auspicious with 51 wins, 58 losses, and 0 draws.

The real differences are evident in the average goals per match where the New York Rangers scored 2.8 GPM, and the New Jersey Devils scored 2.5 GPM.

Why is there Such Bitter Rivalry between the New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers?

Truth be told the New Jersey Devils also have a low tolerance for the Philadelphia Flyers - it's not only the New York Rangers. The hysteria is amplified whenever these two teams lock horns on the ice, whether it's preseason games, or NHL season games.

The fact that it's the New Jersey Devils taking on the New York Rangers is enough to get everybody fired up on both sides of the Hudson River. It doesn't matter whether it's exhibition games that are taking place, or NHL season games – putting these two teams together is like mixing dynamite and kerosene. It's an explosion waiting to happen.

Rivalries are healthy in sports. They keep both teams focused, and they get fans fired up – the perfect combination for filling the sports venues and generating lots of NHL sports betting interest. Over the years, NHL aficionados have pointed to the healthy future that awaits both the New York Rangers and the New Jersey Devils – but this hasn't sunk in for fans of either team.

As far as everyone is concerned, it is 100% adrenaline-fueled rivalry that drives the crowds and the teams, and that's just fine for everyone involved. Who is the better team you may be wondering? Based on their head-to-head performances, one may be forgiven for thinking that the New York Rangers are out and out the superior NHL team.

For the answer to this question, we have to consult their recent performances, their overall performances, rankings, and championship titles in the NHL.

Other reasons for the bitter rivalry include the following:

* The New York Rangers won the 1994 Stanley Cup over the New Jersey Devils
* The New Jersey Devils won the 1995 Stanley Cup over the New York Rangers
* In the 1997 playoffs, the New York Rangers dominated the New Jersey Devils in the semifinals, after winning 4 games on the trot. In game #5, an overtime goal gave the New York Rangers the series victory.
* Between 1998 and 2006, the Devils began to gain momentum as the Rangers slipped out of favor. Then a fantastic run of form against the Rangers continued until 2001, with 4 years of great wins.

In the years since, the momentum has ebbed and flowed in different directions, but the rivalry has remained.

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New Jersey Devils 2019/2020 Performances to Date

Snapshot in Time: Of the 31 teams in the 2019-2020 season NHL League, the New Jersey Devils are ranked at #26. They have a goal differential of -41. At the time of writing (June 7, 2020), they had won 28 games, lost 29 games, with OT/shootout losses of 12, and 68 points on the board.

Their home record reads: 13-11-10, and their away record reads 15-18-2.

New York Rangers 2019/2020 Performances to Date

Snapshot in Time: Of the 31 teams in the 2019-2020 season NHL League, the New York Rangers are ranked #16. They have a goal differential of +12. At the time of writing (June 7, 2020), they had won 37 games, lost 28 games, with OT/shootout losses of 5, and 79 points on the board.

Their home record reads: 18-16-2, and their away record reads 19-12-3.

New Jersey Devils Best Performances Ever

The black and red team – the New Jersey Devils – have had an impressive history over the years. They play in the Atlantic Division, of the Eastern Conference. During the years, this franchise was largely weak. However, from the 1990s, it became a leading contender for best NHL team.

The New Jersey Devils have 3 Stanley Cup titles to their credit, including 1995, 2000, and again in 2003.

New York Rangers Best Performances Ever

The New York Rangers have performed superbly well over the years, but their best days are decades ago. They won the Stanley Cup in 1928, 1933, 1940, and again in 1994. They have not been able to repeat their heroics for almost 30 years, but their current standings indicate that they are a team on the rise.

FYI: The NHL team with the most championship wins is the Montréal Canadiens with 24+ Championships (Stanley Cups) to their credit.

Established in 1909, this team remains the benchmark of excellence when it comes to NHL action.  Next in line are the Toronto Maple Leafs with 13 championships, followed by the Detroit Red Wings at 11, the Boston Bruins at 6, and the Chicago Blackhawks at 6.

*Photograph courtesy of Kathy Willens and AP Image