Rangers vs. Devils: 3 things to watch for in 1st meeting between Hudson River rivals
The New York Rangers kick off the month of December with their first meeting of the season against one of their biggest rivals, the New Jersey Devils, on Monday at Madison Square Garden. And they’ll do so without the burden of carrying a losing streak into the game.
The Rangers (13-9-1) put an end to a season-high five-game losing streak on Saturday, when they edged the Montreal Canadiens 4-3. As former Rangers coach Alain Vigneault used to say of similarly-played games, “It wasn’t a Picasso.” But it was a much-needed victory, even if not the prettiest one.
Kaapo Kakko and the Rangers power play came to the rescue. Kakko won it one the man advantage with 24 seconds remaining in regulation, the third power-play goal scored by the Rangers. They’d scored three power-play goals in their previous 13 games before Saturday.
“Sometimes when you’re trying to get out of something, that first one that you get out of might not be the prettiest, and it wasn’t tonight,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said Saturday. “But we’ve got to draw on the positives of what we were able to do — from the physicality, the start, the fact that we kicked it up but we came back and won it, specialty teams factoring into it. You just pull all those things out of it and just continue to work your way out.”
They’ll take a step up in competition on Monday, when the Devils invade The Garden. After dispatching the 30th-overall Canadiens, the Rangers face-off against a Devils squad that is seven points ahead of them in the Metropolitan Division, albeit having played four more games.
The Devils (16-9-2) are tied for the NHL lead with 10 road wins and are 11-5-0 overall since Oct. 27. Three of their key forwards average at least a point per game — Jesper Bratt has 31 points, Jack Hughes has 30 and Nico Hischier has 27 in 27 games. So, no, they’re not the Canadiens.
This will be a big test for the Rangers, and could be a huge confidence boost for their shaky psyche should they come away with the important victory. They’ll try to do so without sparkplug rookie Brett Berard in the lineup; he’s out with an upper-body injury. Reilly Smith, who was replaced by Berard on Saturday, is back after being scratched against Montreal.
“He’s back in tonight.” Laviolette said after the morning skate, “and I expect him to come back and be a really good player.”
Jonny Brodzinski also returns to the lineup, and Jimmy Vesey is a healthy scratch.
Related: Filip Chytil’s cryptic comments overshadow Rangers return
3 things to watch for when Rangers host Devils
1. 5v5 issues
Despite the win Saturday, the Rangers were far from great 5v5 again. Their new line combinations and juggled defense pairings wobbled at even strength after a strong first period. The Canadiens had the better of the scoring chances (23-9) and high-danger opportunities (14-5) in the final two periods. Overall, the Rangers were outscored 3-1 at 5v5 and had a 34.26 percent xGF, per Natural Stat Trick.
The Rangers struggled to defend against the rush during their losing streak, a big consideration against the speedy Devils.
“I thought we did a lot better job against the rush last game,” he said. “There’s always conversations because we know it’s something we need to improve on. The Devils have speed off the rush, they get the jump, and I think attention to details of what we’re doing with regard to the puck and positioning from the offensive zone through the neutral zone – I think that really matters.”
Their power play rode to the rescue against a solid Canadiens penalty kill. But the Rangers are well aware they need to win more puck battles against the Devils on Monday, and find ways to cut down on the rush chances for a fleet opponent opponent that is far better 5v5, per the analytics, than they are this season. However, the Rangers goaltending must be factored in here too, since the Rangers have outscored the opposition 52-45 at 5v5 this season.
Still, the point stands. The Rangers need to be better, more decisive, more engaged 5v5 against the Devils.
2. Great special teams matchup
The Devils have the top power play in the NHL, converting at 33.7 percent, and they’ve scored five power-play goals in their past two games. Rugged forward Stefan Noesen leads New Jersey with six power-play goals, Hischier has five and defenseman Dougie Hamilton quarterbacks it all with three power-play goals and 10 power-play points.
But on the other side, the Rangers own the second best PK in the League (87.7 percent), and have allowed just three power-play goals in the past eight games. And that stout PK unit is even better now with the return of Chris Kreider, who missed three games with back spasms before getting back in there against the Canadiens.
Since this likely will be a tight, hard-fought game, special teams will be key. So, keep an eye on the revived Rangers power play, too, after it broke out Saturday. New Jersey is ninth on the PK (81.0 percent), but allowed three power-play goals in a 6-5 loss to the Washington Capitals on Saturday.
3. Vincent Trocheck catching fire?
It was a largely underwhelming first quarter to the season for Vincent Trocheck. But the Rangers center came alive in the past two games, scoring a goal against the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday and another against the Canadiens on Saturday. His deflection goal against Montreal was New York’s only even-strength tally of the afternoon.
Trocheck, who scored 25 goals and had an NHL career-high 77 points last season, now has six goals and 12 points. He’s also a minus-3 and hasn’t been noticeable enough for someone who averages 21:34 TOI and plays in every important game situation.
But perhaps Trocheck’s unlocked something and is about to go on a heater. You know the ultra-competitive veteran will be fired up for this one Monday. So, let’s see if he’s really getting on a roll.
New York Rangers projected lineup
Cuylle – Trocheck – Kakko
Panarin – Chytil – Lafreniere
Kreider – Zibanejad – Smith
Edstrom – Carrick – Brodzinski
Lindgren – Fox
Miller- Schneider
Jones – Trouba
Shesterkin
Quick
Rangers vs. Devils: When, where, what time, how to watch
Who: New York Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils
When: Monday, Dec. 2 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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