5 New York Rangers Players New Jersey Devils Must Keep Quiet To Win Series

The New Jersey Devils did what felt impossible: evening the series with the New York Rangers. They still need to prepare for the next three games if they want to advance to the second round.

It was glorious. Seeing the New Jersey Devils fight back when down, crawling their way to a 2-2 tie with their Hudson River Rivals, the New York Rangers was incredible. There is no taste in this world better than Rangers fan tears.

Still, this series is far from over. In fact, it’s tied. The Devils beat the Rangers by inches. Literally, if the Rangers had a puck or two go inches in another direction, this series could be over. Instead, it goes back to Jersey as a three-game series.

If the Devils are going to win this series, it comes down to stopping the stars. They can’t make Shesterkin any less great, but they showed they could stop the Rangers’ offense. That can’t stop, and it can’t keep coming down to Akira Schmid. The Devils’ defense has to keep the Rangers’ offensive weapons off the board. It all starts with the biggest thorn in their side.

1. Chris Kreider

Chris Kreider was the best player in the series in Games 1 and 2. He scored four power-play goals on his own. All four came in some form of a tip. He was always in the right place at the right time. The Devils needed to stop the Rangers power play specifically because of what Kreider was doing to them.

Kreider is still one of the best Rangers in Games 3 and 4. He was on the ice for both Rangers goals, scoring one of them. Only he and Patrick Kane were on the ice for both Rangers goals. He was on the ice for two Devils goals, too, but the Rangers got nothing going offensively. They needed Kreider to be at his best. If the Devils can hold him to a limited output, it can win them this series.