The New Jersey Devils needed a big effort against the New York Rangers and they got it, but they still were handed a tough loss.
The New Jersey Devils are always looking for their best when they play against the New York Rangers. It is the team’s biggest rival that they want to pass in the standings. The Rangers went through more of a retool instead of a rebuild and that is why they seem to be a little better. The good news is that the Devils could be right there if Nico Hischier continues what he is doing and Jack Hughes catches up to him.
The thing is, right now is all that matters and the Rangers beat the Devils 6-3. It was a game that the Devils lost despite outshooting the Rangers 49 to 37. The Ranger goalie Igor Shesterkin was making his second career start in net against the Devils. He had a fantastic game keeping the New Jersey Devils attack off the board. All he gave up was two Blake Coleman goals and a goal to Kevin Rooney short-handed. Shesterkin showed why he is one of the top goalie prospects in the world with his awesome performance.
The Devils have been getting outstanding goaltending from Mackenzie Blackwood over their recent stretch. Last night, however, wasn’t his night. He was pulled in favor of Louis Domingue after giving up a few goals. The Devils did battle back from 3-1 down to tie the game but the Rangers took over the scoreboard after that. It is up to Blackwood to bounce back to the way he was playing before last night. He did spend multiple hours in a dentist chair after losing some teeth in the previous game against the New York Islanders.
This was a game that the Devils could have used Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt. The team as a whole had the offense rolling so these two being there would have really helped. In the case of Hughes, there is a chance he is back on Saturday but nobody really knows in the case of either player for sure. All that we know is that it will be a boost to have two really good offensive players back.
The Devils are back on Saturday night when they pay a visit to the nation’s capital against the Washington Capitals. Alex Ovechkin and company are rolling so it is going to be yet another very tough test for New Jersey. They have proven that they can compete with the elite teams in the league so they have to look at this game in the same light. It is always tough to lose to the Rangers but they have to bounce back.