The New Jersey Devils trounced their Hudson River rivals 5-1 at Madison Square Garden on Monday night. Led by an explosion from Jesper Bratt (four points) and Jack Hughes (three points) the Devils took care of business, moving to 17-9-2 on the season.
Their 36 points puts them first in the Metropolitan Division and tied atop of the league, granted, with more games played than the rest of the league. New Jersey has now won 12 of their last 17 games.
Game Recap
First Period
The period was all Devils right from the start. Just 1:30 into the period, Jesper Bratt skated into the zone on an odd-man rush and ripped a shot past Igor Shesterkin to open the scoring. Six minutes later, the Devils extended their lead. After the Rangers blocked a shot, the puck made its way towards the middle of the ice where Dawson Mercer picked it up and fired a shot that squeaked by Shesterkin.
Afterwards, the Devils penalty kill went to work and killed off a surging Rangers power play. The Rangers found their game and built momentum throughout the period. Despite this, Jacob Markström stood tall and the Devils took a 2-0 lead into the second period.
The Devils scored the two goals, but under the surface this was an evenly played period. With 18:00 minutes of five-on-five hockey, shot attempts were dead even at 18 each. The Rangers did hold the edge at shots on goal (11-7) and scoring chances (10-8). The Rangers also held a slight edge in expected goals (0.86-0.76).
Second Period
The second period saw of flurry of goals. First, it was the Devils’ power play that went to work. After having crisp puck movement, Jack Hughes fed a pass intended for Stefan Noesen that Dougie Hamilton one timed past Shesterkin. Three minutes later, the Hughes brothers teamed up for a goal. A Luke Hughes shot generated a rebound and Jack finished it off with a nice finish. Then, the Rangers finally converted on the power play, with Chris Kreider banging home the rebound.
As an immediate response, one again, the Devils power play converted. With a four-on-three power play, Jack Hughes ripped a shot past Shesterkin from the slot and it would be the ninth multi-power play goal game for the Devils this season. The Devils entered the third period with a commanding 5-1 lead.
The Devils not only dominated but they dictated the pace of the period. They held the edge in shot attempts (15-9) in only ten minutes of five-on-five play. They held a significant edge in shots on goal and pummeled the Rangers in the high-danger areas of the ice. To further show the Devils dominant play, the Devils controlled the expected goals share 1.48-0.38.
Third Period
The third period was quiet. Neither team scored a goal and the Devils locked down and maintained their lead. A massive “let’s go Devils,” chant broke at the Garden and the Devils won the game 5-1.
Game Notes
- Jacob Markstrom was tremendous in net for the Devils. Markstrom stopped 39 of the 40 shots he faced and finished the game with 2.92 goals saved above expected. Also, he was stellar in the high danger areas of the ice, stopping 12-of-13 (.923 save percentage).
- Jack Hughes continues to dominate against the Rangers. He finished with two goals and one assist. Individually, he generated 1.15 expected goals in all situations. When he was on the ice, the Devils controlled the play and held an expected goals for percentage (xGF%) of 63.50. Hughes now has 13 goals and 23 points in 21 career games against the Rangers.
What’s Next?
The Devils have a few days off before returning home for a matchup Friday night against the Seattle Kraken.