The New Jersey Devils’ nightmare start to 2025 continued with a 3-2 overtime loss to the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night.

Sam Carrick scored the winning goal in overtime to lift the Rangers to a much-needed win in a big spot at home.

Overview

Igor Shesterkin returned from injured reserve and made 21 saves in the victory. Artemi Panarin and Adam Fox each scored a power-play goal in the win.

Jack Hughes kept up his hot streak at MSG and against the Rangers. He had a goal and an assist in the loss. Jesper Bratt also scored his 15th of the season while goalie Jacob Markstrom made 29 saves in the loss.

The Devils have now lost five of their past six games, their worst results all of the season.

First Period

Fox opened the scoring with a power-play goal at 12:05 into the first period. After Kurtis MacDermid was called for interference, the Rangers were rewarded a power play. Vincent Trocheck won the faceoff to Fox, who skated toward the middle of the ice and ripped a slapshot from the top of the point that beat Markstrom through traffic.

The Devils had an 11-8 advantage in shots on goal in the period. The Devils did a terrific job of possessing the puck and limiting the Rangers in the opening frame. The Rangers’ expected goals (xG) for was just 0.21 in the period. The Devils weren’t really challenged much, which became a theme throughout the game, until the third period. New Jersey was also 0-for-2 on the man-advantage in the first.

Second Period

Jack Hughes would continue his dominance over the Rangers with his 16th goal of the season at 15:57 of the second period to tie things, 1-1.

After the Devils got the puck deep, Shesterkin came out to play it behind the net. The Rangers were unable to gain possession as the puck went around the boards to Ondrej Palat. The forward would send a pass to Brett Pesce, who fired a wrist shot toward the net. Hughes was there in front of Shesterkin for the tip and the goal.

The top line for the Devils would build upon the lead with Bratt’s goal 8:28 into the second. After Brenden Dillon fed Palat in front of Shesterkin for a golden chance, the Rangers were able to clear the zone briefly. The puck would get to Bratt, who skated down the left wing with speed before rocketing a wrist shot that beat the Rangers goalie to make it 2-1.

Panarin would help the Rangers get back to a tie with a power-play goal, New York’s second of the game with under 3:00 remaining in the period. The Rangers developed the play by pulling the Devils’ penalty kill up a bit, Mika Zibanejad nearly scored on Markstrom, who made a great save initially. Unfortunately, the rebound bounced right to Panarin near the right circle. Panarin would bury his 17th goal of the season.

The Devils were once again the better team in the second but special teams was the difference again. New Jersey had a 66.67 Corsi-for percentage (CF%) in the period and had a 0.86 to 0.31 advantage in expected goals. Despite having two goals, the Rangers had a combined xGF of 0.52 through two periods.

Third Period

The third period both teams were held scoreless but this was a period the Rangers won. The Devils had a chance to gain the lead with their fourth power play of the game in the third, but were unable to capitalize.

The Rangers would outshoot the Devils 12-6 in the period and 21-11 combined in the second and third. The Devils were lucky to get out of the third period and into overtime to get the point at least.

Overtime

Jack Hughes turned the puck over in the Rangers’ zone, which led to a two-on-one breakaway for New York the other way. Reilly Smith skated the puck into the Devils’ zone with only Timo Meier to defend. Smith made a way-too-easy cross-ice pass to Sam Carrick, whose one-timer beat Markstrom to secure the victory 2:48 into overtime.

Game Notes

Special Teams Issue Continues

The Devils have been one of the top teams in the NHL so far in the 2024-25 season thanks to their special teams. Unfortunately, both units have gone stone cold recently.

The power play was, once again, unable to generate any offense, which ended up being the difference in the game. This after the Devils embarrassed the Rangers a few weeks ago, scoring three-of-four times with the man-advantage. The Rangers were a much tougher team in a game they needed more, apparently. Had special teams been slightly better one way or the other, it would have been the difference between one point and two.

It may not seem as impactful right now but could pay dividends later in the standings.

Time to Make a Move?

The Devils are in a terrific spot, regardless of the recent stretch of losses, however it cannot be ignored. Are players starting to feel the wear-and-tear of the regular season? That could be the case. Erik Haula didn’t play but he’s not a huge difference-maker in such a close contest. The Devils have been one of the more healthy teams all season. So, perhaps the team needs a spark in the form of a trade for a forward.

General manager Tom Fitzgerald will likely wait until the deadline unless things get worse. But the rest of January’s schedule is pretty brutal. Acquiring a forward now may cost a bit more but would it be worth it given the recent losses? Luckily, they have a very nice buffer in the Metropolitan Division.

What’s Next?

The Devils are back at home at Prudential Center against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday at 7:00 pm ET.