Introduction
The New Jersey Devils lost to the New York Rangers for the eighth straight time. This losing streak goes back to last season. Igor Shesterkin stole the show as the Rangers took a closely fought affair defeating New Jersey 3-1.
Recap
First Period
The first period was an even one all around. Nico Hischier was sprung on a breakaway where his first shot was stopped by Shesterkin and the rebound was stopped as well on a spectacular save. Shortly after, Mike Zibanejad made it 1-0 off a rebound sitting in the crease. Just a couple minutes later, Nico Hischier made a brilliant play to split the defense and roof the puck to tie the game. The score would be 1-1 after one as the teams went to the locker room.
Second Period
The second period saw a goal let up early on by Nico Daws as Filip Chytil finished his sixth of the season on an odd man rush. The Devils got a few more chances to tie the game, but Shesterkin stood on his head to keep the Rangers’ lead.
Third Period
The third and final frame saw more of Igor Shesterkin standing on his head as he robbed Yegor Sharangovich early on. The Devils had plenty of chances and sustained pressure, but it wasn’t enough to beat a potential Vezina and Hart trophy winner. An insurance goal by Chris Kreider and two late penalties by New Jersey put the game away. The Rangers won 3-1
Notes
- Igor Shesterkin was elite in this game, he saved 2.36 goals above expected (GSAx). Nico Daws also played a solid game, however, not enough to match Shesterkin’s elite numbers. Daws put up a GSAx of .19. (Number per Natural Stat Trick)
- Nico Hischier scored another goal tonight, and a beautiful one at that, as he stayed red hot. Besides the goal, Hischier held a five-on-five corsi-for percentage (CF%) of 51.43 and an expected goals percentage (xG%) of 55.20.
- As previously brought up in the introduction, tonight was the Devils’ eighth consecutive loss to the blue shirts. Their previous win against the Rangers was last season on February 16th. They hold a record of 0-7-1 against NYR since then.
Next Up: Sunday, March 6th against the St. Louis Blues.