Goal Breakdown: Rangers fall to Devils in first preseason game

The Rangers and Devils played a pretty fun game last night, with the Devils coming out on top 4-3. The story will be about the game, and we will get to that, but preseason injuries reared their ugly heads last night. Both Artemi Panarin (groin) and Kaapo Kakko (leg) left the game early. Both looked to be precautionary, but watching Kakko gingerly skate off the ice was not fun.

Other than the guys we know will get talked about, it’s worth noting that Lias Andersson and Vitali Kravtsov also had strong games. Igor Shesterkin was strong in net, but was certainly the victim of some defensive miscues. The focus is primarily on Panarin, Kakko, Kreider, Adam Fox, and Jacob Trouba, which allows the kids like Andersson and Kravtsov to skate by relatively unnoticed and just play and improve their games. That is a serious benefit that should not be understated.

On to the goals:

Devils 1, Rangers 0

https://twitter.com/NJDevils/status/1174463357539295232

Nico Hirschier skated through three Rangers on this one. I don’t know how he went untouched, but he did.

Devils 2, Rangers 0

https://twitter.com/NJDevils/status/1174472141770805248

This is just a bad play by Brandon Crawley.

Devils 2, Rangers 1

Just beautiful puck movement. That Artemi Panarin guy is pretty good and has a rocket.

Devils 3, Rangers 1

https://twitter.com/NJDevils/status/1174480957459652609

Jake Elmer with the giveaway in the high risk area, which turns into Jacob Trouba getting caught flat footed and stumbling. Brady Skjei with the snow angel, and the Devils score. Enough with the snow angels.

Devils 3, Rangers 2

I asked this last night: How do you let Greg McKegg sneak up on you, take the puck, and then feed Micheal Haley alone in front?

Devils 4, Rangers 2

https://twitter.com/NJDevils/status/1174493035540951040

Brett Seney got this one. It was one of those hockey happens goals. Lots of bodies in front, Igor Shesterkin couldn’t get a handle on it, and it eventually wound up in the net.

Devils 4, Rangers 3

Another hockey happens goal – and Lias Andersson capped off his solid game with a goal of his own.

This game was a microcosm of the season to come for the Rangers. They are going to score. They are going to have a bunch of chances. They are going to be fun to watch offensively. But they are also likely going to be rough defensively. They are going to give up a ton of goals and chances. Strap in, folks, it’s going to be a roller coaster season.