Overview
Despite an embarrassing first two games of the series, the New Jersey Devils have the New York Rangers on the brink of elimination. After getting outscored 10-2 to start the series, the Devils have dominated the ice to take a 3-2 lead. Now, they have earned a chance to send the Rangers home with a Game 6 elimination at Madison Square Garden.
To do this, they’ll need to win their fourth-straight game in a similar fashion to the previous three. Since Game 3, the Devils have tapped into the speed and blistering rush attacks that got them to the postseason, something they weren’t able to do over the first two games. This speed has frustrated New York, leading to their sloppy play as of late.
But New Jersey can’t get complacent. The Rangers will give everything they have with their backs against the wall. If the Devils want to close out this series, they’ll need to survive the blue shirts’ last gasp.
Lines and Pairings
Devils –
Check out our social media pages closer to game time for lines and pairings.
Rangers –
Forwards
Kreider-Zibanejad-Tarasenko
Lafreniere-Trocheck-Kane
Panarin-Chytil-Kakko
Vesey-Goodrow-Motte
Defense
Lindgren-Fox
Miller-Trouba
Mikkola-Schneider
Goalies
Shesterkin
Halak
Keys to the Game
Let Schmid Cook
Who could have anticipated Akira Schmid being the MVP of this series so far? Although Vitek Vanecek didn’t play terribly during the first two games, his slow start was enough to merit a switch to the young Swiss in Game 3.
He took this chance and ran with it, putting up three dominant starts against a flustered Rangers’ offense. Over the past three games, Schmid has a shining .978 save percentage (SV%) and 5.38 goals saved above expected (GSAx).
Not only has he been able to stymie New York’s potent offense, but he has gone toe-to-toe with reigning Vezina Trophy winner Igor Shesterkin. He’s done all this while maintaining a calm demeanor and stone-cold confidence in the net. Look for Schmid to be the difference-maker tonight.
Keep Killing Penalties
This season, the Rangers boasted a top-five power play in the league. This was one of their biggest threats coming into the postseason, but it has gone strangely quiet recently.
New York’s special teams got off to a great start to the series, scoring four power play goals in the first two games, but has gone 0-for-10 since then. This penalty-killing prowess has been key to the Devils’ success, and they’ll need to keep killing them to stymie the Rangers’ offense.
Tonight’s game can be seen on ESPN at 8:00 PM EDT.