Devils Defeat Rangers In First Matchup Of Season
When the 2019 Draft was over, it was Jack Hughes sporting the black and red of the New Jersey Devils and Kaapo Kakko wearing the storied Blueshirt. And after months of waiting, we finally got to see these two young talents face each other. Unfortunately for Kakko and the Rangers, it would be Hughes and the Devils walking away with the victory.
Tony DeAngelo – The Rangers got on the board first thanks to Tony DeAngelo cleaning up the garbage in front. DeAngelo found the loose puck following a point shot from Brady Skjei. DeAngelo’s goal was his first of the season as the young defenseman continues to improve his overall game.
Jesper Fast – With the Blueshirts trailing 3-1 in the third, the Rangers came out strong to start the final frame. After consecutive strong shifts, Fast found himself open on the back post and Strome found him for the tap-in to cut the deficit to 3-2.
“Power” Play – Perhaps the story of this game is the Rangers’ inability to capitalize on their man-advantage opportunities. The Blueshirts were 0-6 on the powerplay in this one and recorded just seven shots on net during those 12 minutes when the Devils were shorthanded. The top unit generated most, if not all, of those seven shots, which leads one to wonder what can be done to balance out that second unit.
Something Is Missing – When Brendan Smith is one of the forwards on the ice with the Rangers trying to get a goal late in a game, you know that something isn’t right. Filip Chytil’s absence from this team means that Smith, who played just under 14 minutes in the contest, was considered one of the team’s best forwards in their lineup. That is ludicrous. Filip Chytil should be with the Blueshirts, and if the Rangers are dead set on Smith being with the team, send McKegg and/or Haley to Hartford and put Smith on the fourth line.
Alexandar Georgiev – Had it not been for the young goaltender, this game could’ve been a blowout. Georgiev made 33 stops, including a cross-crease stop on Will Butcher early in the contest, and denying this shorthanded chance for Pavel Zacha in the second. The team looked rusty following their long layoff, but Georgiev was strong between the pipes.
Next Game: The Rangers are right back at it in Washington on Friday night when they face the Capitals. Puck drops at 7!
LETS GO RANGERS!!
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