The New Jersey Devils (25-12-3) defeated the New York Rangers (22-12-7) 4-3 in overtime yesterday at the Prudential Center. It was a much-needed home win for New Jersey, who had been on an eight-game home losing streak prior to yesterday. Not only did the Devils finally give the home crowd something to cheer about, but they also got a crucial statement win over their division rival.
First Period
Jersey got off to a rocky start, allowing a goal from former Devil Jimmy Vesey off the iron. The Devils got some good offensive pressure after the goal, but couldn’t put one past goalie Igor Shesterkin.
Late in the period, the Devils went on a 1:20 five-on-three power play, a key opportunity to put a tally on the board. They fired shot after shot at Shesterkin, but couldn’t find a deflection to fool the reigning Vezina champ. The powerplay expired, and the Devils went into intermission down 1-0.
The Devils had solid possession in the first period, posting a 60.42 Corsi-for percentage (CF%) and a 74.28 expected goals-for percentage (xGF%).
Second Period
The Rangers struck again four minutes into the second frame with a goal from Julien Gauthier off a slick feed from Adam Fox. The Devils responded with even more offensive pressure but faced a brick wall in Shesterkin and the Rangers’ defense.
Midway through the period, however, Jack Hughes capitalized on an errant pass from Barclay Goodrow, sneaking through the defense and finishing the solo effort.
Down 2-1, the Devils hit their low point a few minutes later when they fell asleep in their own zone and allowed Chris Kreider to get in position in front of the net and pot one home. They would go into the intermission down 3-1 with the home fans silent.
The Devils played a relatively close second period, posting a 51.28 CF% and a 52.29 xG%.
Third Period
The Prudential Center was silent to start the third aside from the occasional Ranger chant and subsequent booing. The Devils desperately needed a win, but they would need a push to start a comeback. They got just that about halfway through the frame when, on the power play, Jesper Bratt sniped a shot past Shesterkin from the high slot to put New Jersey within one.
Jack Hughes made up the difference two minutes later when he got open at the bottom of the far circle and scored on a shifting Shesterkin. The Devils had come all the way back, and the Rangers couldn’t respond before the end of regulation, so overtime was in order.
The Devils actually played a much weaker third period – in terms of the quality of chances – even though they mounted the comeback. They posted a 53.85 CF% but just a 28.25 xG%.
Overtime
The teams started overtime with some back-and-forth action, neither one able to get a good enough lane to the net. The Rangers had some good possession, and it seemed they might be able to break through the three-man Devils’ defense.
However, Damon Severson had other ideas, picking Alexis Lafraniere’s pocket and marching into the Rangers’ zone to make Shesterkin look silly on a snipe in front of the net. The building went absolutely wild as the Rangers’ fans made the walk of shame to the exits.
Results
Yesterday was a desperately-needed win for a sputtering Devils team. They kept pace with the division and are now only four points behind the first-place Hurricanes. They also got to flex on their fiercest rival and stay ahead of them in the standings. This will be a win for the fans to remember.
The Devils now have 53 points and are in second in the Metropolitan Division. The Rangers sit just behind them with 51 points.
Game Notes
- Jack Hughes is red-hot. He scored two goals and notched an assist to secure the first star of the game. Hughes is riding a five-game goal streak.
- Vitek Vanecek was shaky at points, but, overall had a decent game, saving 31 of 34 shots for a .912 SV%.
Up Next
The Devils will look to challenge the first-place Carolina Hurricanes for the division throne on Tuesday.