The New Jersey Devils find themselves down 2-0 in the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs after another 5-1 defeat at the hands of the New York Rangers on Thursday night. Two embarrassing games at home leave Devils fans confused and disappointed. After such a historic season, Devils fans expected more from this young core. A win in one game would be a great start. As of right now, if the Devils march across the Hudson River and play in Madison Square Garden the way they played on their home ice, get your broomsticks ready because they’re going to get swept.
It’s easy to see what is killing the Devils right now. The Rangers have scored ten goals in two games this series, four of them being on the powerplay. Rangers forward Chris Kreider has all four of the Rangers’ power play goals this series, most coming from tip-ins in front of the net.
CHRISTOPHER JAMES KREIDER'S FOURTH OF THE POSTSEASON. pic.twitter.com/AAtbRSZzeF
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) April 21, 2023
In the goal above, Kreider was left wide open next to Devils goaltender Vitek Vanecek. It was a beautiful tip-in, but it could have been avoided if the Devils recognized Kreider was in such a threatening position.
On the contrary, when this team is on the powerplay, they have not had many chances to set it up from the point. Yes, the Devils’ lone goal on Thursday was on the power play, but aside from that, they failed to capitalize on seven other power play opportunities. In fact, they struggle to get even a shot off. If the Devils tidy up their PP units even the slightest bit, this can be a whole new series.
The offense in general has to step up. Two goals in two playoff games isn’t going to get it done, and that includes a Jack Hughes penalty shot in garbage time. The Devils have thrown 51 shots on goal in the two games thus far, and only one went in the net. (Hughes’ penalty shot does not count as a shot on goal).
The comeback-hopeful team is not generating enough chances. Yes, 51 shots on goal is a positive, but none of them threatened Igor Shesterkin. The reigning Vezina winner is a masterpiece in net for the Rangers, but it’s not like the Devils are pushing his boundaries. Vitek Vanecek is under way more pressure at all times this series. The Rangers have 53 shots on goal in the two games but have scored ten times.
Let’s look at something positive. Many analysts were concerned about the Devils’ physicality in this series as the Rangers are a bigger and more physical team. However, the Devils have been keeping up with them in that aspect of the game. Thursday night, the Devils were granted 71 total penalty minutes. Miles Wood, Nate Bastian, and Michael McLeod have been bringing solid hits upon the Rangers, and we even saw Jack Hughes lay a nice hip check on Thursday!
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We will see a huge difference in this series if the Devils can fix these issues even the slightest bit. But for now, they need to take it one game at a time, focus on the mistakes in practice, and play as the electric New Jersey Devils team we witnessed in the regular season.