New York Rangers @ New Jersey Devils
(NJ leads series 3-2)
Game Recap:
Looking to maintain the momentum they’ve built and take a series lead, the New Jersey Devils return home to host the New York Rangers in game five at the Prudential Center. It didn’t take long for the Devils to get out in front as Ondrej Palat scored thirty nine seconds into the game to give New Jersey a 1-0 lead. Palat put in a rebound shot in the offensive zone off of a face off for the quick and early goal. Goalie Akira Schmid made some incredible saves to keep the lead heading into the second period.
Erik Haula began his excellent night in the second period with a power play goal as he deflected in a shot from Dawson Mercer for the tip in to extend his team’s lead to two. New Jersey wouldn’t be done scoring just yet. Ten minutes later while in the penalty kill, the Rangers would cough the puck up at the point and put the Devils on a two on one chance where Dawson Mercer buried a feed from Erik Haula to make it 3-0 in favor of the Devils. It would remain a three goal lead heading into the final frame.
Akira Schmid continued to provide excellent goaltending in between the pipes, while the Devils defense gave the New York Rangers not many options throughout the evening. You could sense the frustration from the Rangers with the lack of production throughout the entire lineup the last few games. Later on, Erik Haula added his second goal of the game and third of the playoffs with an empty net goal to seal the shutout victory as the New Jersey Devils defeated the New York Rangers by a final score of 4-0. Akira Schmid made twenty three saves to earn the shutout victory and was phenomenal all evening long. The Devils have a chance to send their Hudson River rivals packing if they can win game six on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.
Lineups
New York Rangers
New Jersey Devils
Game Highlights
First Period
GOAL (NJ) :39- Ondrej Palat (Unassisted)
Second Period
Power Play GOAL (NJ) 3:27- Erik Haula (Dawson Mercer, Damon Severson)
Third Period
Shorthanded GOAL (NJ) 13:32- Dawson Mercer (Erik Haula)
Empty Net GOAL (NJ) 14:48- Erik Haula (Nico Hischier, Ryan Graves)
Next Up: (Game 6) New Jersey Devils @ New York Rangers 4/29/23 8pm EST
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