Rangers vs. Devils: 3 things to watch for seeking 1st win against Hudson River rivals
Perhaps it’s fitting that when the New York Rangers, again, try to exorcise some demons Thursday, they’ll attempt to do so against the New Jersey Devils.
Demons. Devils. You get it, right?
OK, yeah, understood, this isn’t a laughing matter for the Rangers right now. Coming off a hellish 5-4 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars on Tuesday after racing to a 3-0 lead, the Rangers are 6-16-1 in their past 23 games. They reach the midpoint of the 2024-25 season after the game against their bitter rival on Thursday, desperately trying to remain relevant in the Stanley Cup Playoff race.
The Rangers, who swept the Devils in four regular-season games last season, have lost the first two against them this season by a combined 10-1 score. The Devils (25-15-3) are second in the Metropolitan Division and long ago passed the Rangers (18-20-1), who are seventh in the division and 14th in the Eastern Conference.
Perhaps the Rangers catch the Devils at a good time Thursday. Though coming off a 3-2 win in Seattle against the Kraken, the Devils have lost four of their past five games, including being swept three games in California. Also, Igor Shesterkin is back for the Rangers after he missed four games with an upper-body injury.
The Rangers largely have played better hockey since the turn of the New Year. They are 2-1-1 in their past four games and scored 14 goals in their past three. But they need to stack wins, and soon, if they hope to fulfill their promise as true contenders.
Related: Rangers to face Panthers at 2026 Winter Classic in Miami
3 things to watch for when Rangers host Devils
1. Arthur Kaliyev set for Rangers debut
With Filip Chytil sidelined by an upper-body injury, Arthur Kaliyev makes his Rangers debut Thursday. The 23-year-old will play on the third line, with Jonny Brodzinski replacing Chytil at center and Brett Berard on the other wing. He’s also slotted to receive second-unit power-play minutes, which makes sense since 17 of his 35 career goals were scored on the man advantage.
The former Los Angeles Kings forward, claimed off waivers on Monday, hasn’t played an NHL game yet this season after he broke his clavicle during training camp. He did have a five-game conditioning stint in the AHL, when he had one goal and one assist.
That means we could see a rusty player trying to find his footing in a new system with new teammates Thursday. But Kaliyev, who grew up in Staten Island, said he’s reenergized by the new opportunity in New York, could be itching to show his quick release and goal-scoring form in his debut, too.
2. ‘Marked man’ returns
Matt Rempe just completed an eight-game suspension for boarding and elbowing Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen. He’ll return against the Devils, against whom he has a checkered history already — one that includes a suspension last season for elbowing defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler in the head. In fact, Rempe hasn’t finished a single one of his three games played against the Devils; he was ejected in each.
But the towering Rangers forward acknowledged Wednesday that he’s a “marked man” now, and must learn from his two suspensions and play a less reckless style. The 22-year-old walks a fine line between intimidating physical play and out-of-control actions. He’s played 22 regular-season games in his NHL career (five this season) and been suspended for 12. Not a great ratio.
Anyway, Rempe should provide some much-welcomed juice to the lineup against the Devils, skating on the fourth line at MSG on Thursday.
3. Figure out Jacob Markstrom
Jacob Markstrom has allowed one goal on 51 shots in two starts against the Rangers this season. Not too shabby.
The 34-year-old made 38 saves in a 5-1 Devils win at MSG on Dec. 2, then barely broke a sweat stopping 12 shots in a 5-0 shutout at the Prudential Center on Dec. 23 — perhaps New York’s least competitive game of the season.
Markstrom is 10-2-1 in his past 13 starts overall and is tied for second in the NHL with 20 victories. His 2.17 goals-against average is third-best in the League. His career history against the Rangers isn’t too shabby either — 11-4-2, 2.20 GAA, .922 save percentage and two shutouts with the Devils, Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks and Florida Panthers.
New York Rangers projected lineup
Panarin – Trocheck – Lafreniere
Cuylle– Zibanejad – Smith
Kaliyev – Brodzinski – Berard
Edstrom – Carrick – Rempe
Lindgren – Fox
Miller – Borgen
Vaakanainen – Schneider
Shesterkin
Quick
Rangers vs. Devils: When, where, what time, how to watch
Who: New York Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils
When: Thursday, Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. ET
Where: Madison Square Garden
How to watch: MSG
Click here for New York Rangers complete 2024-25 schedule and game results
More About:New York Rangers News
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