New York Rangers @ New Jersey Devils
(NJ wins series 4-3)
Game Recap:
Two words…Game Seven! That’s where we’re at tonight’s as the New Jersey Devils host their Hudson River rivals in the New York Rangers in a winner take all game to see who moves onto the next round to face off against the Carolina Hurricanes. It doesn’t get any better than a game seven with everything on the line in a win or go home situation. Both teams were feeling things out trying to see who would make the first mistake but alas, neither team did and it would be a scoreless first period.
However, the second period is where things started to pick up between the two teams. New Jersey’s speed was a lot to handle for the Rangers as they were pinned in their own zone and New Jersey did a great job using that speed to get out of their own zone to transition into offense effectively. Using that speed paid off as the Devils got a short handed goal thanks to great huddle and effort from Ondrej Palat who took the puck to the net and then teammate Michael McLeod buried the rebound into the back of the net for the first goal of the game. Moments later, Tomas Tatar extended the lead to two as defenseman John Marino’s backhand feed from the goal line gave him the chance to rip it behind Igor Shesterkin to make it 2-0 in favor of the New Jersey Devils. That would be the score heading into an exciting and final finish of this game in the third period.
And the third period was exciting as the Devils were able to put away their rivals thanks to a one timer goal from Erik Haula, and an empty netter from Jesper Bratt to seal the victory and shutout as they defeat the Rangers by a final score of 4-0. Akira Schmid rebounded very well with 31 saves and the speedy Devils put the Rangers on their heels all evening long giving them not very much room to work with. New Jersey advances onto round two of the Stanley Cup playoffs and will play the Carolina Hurricanes.
Lineups
New York Rangers
New Jersey Devils
Game Highlights
First Period
*No goals were scored
Second Period
Shorthanded GOAL (NJ) 9:53- Michael McCleod (Ondrej Palat
GOAL (NJ) 15:39- Tomas Tatar (John Marino, Nico Hischier)
Third Period
GOAL (NJ) 14:27- Erik Haula (Jack Hughes, Ondrej Palat)
Empty Net GOAL (NJ) 16:41- Jesper Bratt (John Marino)
Next Up: (Round 2) New Jersey Devils vs Carolina Hurricanes, Wednesday 5/3/23 (7pm EST)
TXHT may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through Cool Hockey and Dr. Squatch ads/links in this article.
The Xperience Hockey Talk 