The New York Rangers are in a must-win situation nightly, and last night’s contest against the New Jersey Devils was one that should have presented an easy opportunity for two points. But the Rangers didn’t show up, and let the Devils score four in the second for a 5-2 loss. This was a game the Rangers couldn’t lose, but they did.
Igor Shesterkin looked rusty and shaky, which is a little expected after two weeks off the ice and only one practice. The Rangers had zero defensive zone coverage all game, which is why they gave up four in the second period. Just an overall sloppy game in the obvious trap game.
Rangers 1, Devils 0 – Fox for Calder
Incredible passing from Adam Fox and Julien Gauthier, and Filip Chytil roofs a one-timer past Blackwood. Rangers up 1-0 pic.twitter.com/hTcFV6AvGd
— Fitz (@FitzGSN_) March 8, 2020
Adam Fox is so, so good. He draws three Devils to him on this rush before dishing to Julien Gauthier. Gauthier quickly circles the net with all three of those Devils with their backs to the slot. Filip Chytil was wide open. Poor Mackenzie Blackwood, no chance.
Devils 1, Rangers 1 – Oof
Kyle Palmieri sneaks one past Shesterkin and we are tied at 1 pic.twitter.com/AL5S4gHwRt
— Fitz (@FitzGSN_) March 8, 2020
Not a goal you expect Shesterkin to give up.
Rangers 2, Devils 1 – Swedish Jesus
Mika Zibanejad literally can't stop scoring goals. Great keep in and pass again by Adam Fox. Rangers up 2-1 pic.twitter.com/doJ6CQQL29
— Fitz (@FitzGSN_) March 8, 2020
Fox again with a great play, keeping the zone twice to set this up. Then a nice give-and-go. The Devils are #bad.
Devils 2, Rangers 2 – Rebounds
Palmieri beats Shesterkin on the rebound for his second goal of the game. Tied up at 2 pic.twitter.com/s7KakfCIMv
— Fitz (@FitzGSN_) March 8, 2020
The Devils got two separate whacks at two rebounds, and one went in. Not the best net-front coverage here, and the Blueshirts’ second period woes continue.
Devils 3, Rangers 2 – Turnovers and missing coverage
Former Ranger Fredrik Claesson scores to make it 3-2 Devils. Rangers real sloppy to start the 2nd. Shesterkin would definitely want that one back pic.twitter.com/UEy8dnU0M5
— Fitz (@FitzGSN_) March 8, 2020
Gauthier with the turnover in the offensive zone. But no one covers the third man in for the Devils, and Kyle Palmieri wires it top shelf.
Devils 4, Rangers 2 – Defensive letdown
New Zajac City. #WeAreTheOnes | @PSEGDelivers pic.twitter.com/TsrYxbmapd
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) March 8, 2020
Don’t really know how the Rangers missed the guy in front here.
Devils 5, Rangers 2 – Too many DZ issues
Hay! Hay! Hay Hay Hay! Goallll#WeAreTheOnes | #NJDvsNYR pic.twitter.com/0xcRd8wRZW
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) March 8, 2020
No one ties up John Hayden’s stick in front, coming after a forecheck forced them into a turnover.
Devils 5, Rangers 3 – They have life
Greg McKegg deflects Brendan Smith's shot home and the Rangers now have some life pic.twitter.com/RG1j1AAfBA
— Fitz (@FitzGSN_) March 8, 2020
This started with a well executed 3-on-2, even if it didn’t wind up with a shot. The key is getting the puck to Pavel Buchnevich as the third man in, which drew the Devils off their assignments. Eventually Brendan Smith got the puck on net and Greg McKegg got his skate on it.
Devils 6, Rangers 3 – empty netters
Travis Zajac empty netter.
Devils 6, Rangers 4 – At least they scored
No gif on this – sorry.
Shot Heatmap – Not the best
This wasn’t the best game for the Rangers. They ceded quality to the Devils, which isn’t something you want to do when it’s a non-playoff team. Teams have clunkers, but this wasn’t the best time for one.
Skater Results – All quantity, no quality
They won the quantity, but not the quality. A rare occurrence for the Rangers. They really laid an egg.
Luckily for the Rangers, the Isles, Blue Jackets, and Canes are all in slumps. It’s no longer a 98 point target, but a 95 point target. They have 4 regulation losses and 1 OT loss left to give. Doable, but difficult.
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