Early in the game, the difference between the New York Rangers (10-9-3) and the New Jersey Devils (7-11-2) was clear; the Rangers offense seemed ready from the second the puck dropped. A high-sticking penalty on the Devils gave the Rangers the Power Play early, and Adam Fox delivered. The defenseman took a pass from goalie Alexandar Georgiev coast-to-coast to give the Rangers an early 1-0 lead.
For the Rangers, their offense was the difference. They scored 6 goals, including 4 in the first 2 periods to crush the Devils, 5-3. Early, the Rangers completely controlled the pace of the game. The shots would even out by the final horn, but the early hole was too much for the Devils. Ryan Strome led the Rangers with 2 goals, his 7th and 8th goals on the season.
The win marks the Rangers 6th in 8 games and the 2nd in 3-days over the Devils. Currently, they sit at 6th in the East Division with 23 points. For the Devils, they drop their 5th straight game in regulation. Since February 18, the Devils have not won in regulation; their last win came in OT against the Sabres on February 25.
The offense comes early and often for New York
Following the power-play goal, the Rangers wasted no time doubling their lead. As the Devils attempted to clear the puck, Chris Kreider intercepted a centering pass. Immediately, he found Strome in front, who netted his first goal on the night. The Devils may have cleared the puck had they used a pass along the boards. However, they tried to force it up the center, and Kreider made them pay.
Initially, the Devils fought back; they were able to tie the score at 2-2 before the first period was over. Unfortunately, they could not slow down the Rangers’ attack. Filip Chytil would find Kevin Ronney with a perfect pass in front of the goal, and he finished the breakaway. Again, the Rangers continued their attack. Just a minute into the second, Libor Hajek scored again to double the lead again.
Another goal in the third, this one by Chytil, sealed the victory. Strome was able to connect on an empty netter to seal the 6-3 win. The Rangers outshot the Devils 28-27. In this game, the Power Play opportunities favored the Rangers 5-1, with the early goal the only successful try.
Subban and Devils fight back
For the Devils, PK Subban tried to will his team back. After the early 2-0 deficit, he took matters into his own hands; he collected the puck at the blue line and rifled a slap shot past Georgiev for their first goal. The goal gave the Devils energy they desperately needed. Quickly, the Devils scored again to even the score. This time, Mikhail Maltsev used a beautiful saucer shot to clear the goalie to tie the score at 2.
However, the Rangers overmatched the Devils as the game went on. Even as the shots on goal evened, those goals would be the only 2 the Devils would score until the game was out of reach. Georgiev saved 24 of the Devils 27 shots on goal and registered his 4th career NHL point with an assist.
Eventually, this Devils team will need to start winning games again to be back in contention. They have gone 9 straight games without a regulation victory and have yet to pick up a point in March.
Up Next
Rangers hit the road to face the Penguins, Sunday, March 7, PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
Devils head to Boston to take on the Bruins, Sunday, March 7, TD Garden, Boston, MA
