It all comes down to this. One single game. Whatever has happened the first six games gets thrown out the window. This series between these two rivaled teams will be decided by a pivotal Game 7. Like the other chapters in the playoff storybook between these two teams, it will end in dramatic fashion.
After getting embarrassed on the scoreboard 5-1 in each of the first two games, the tides changed. Head coach Lindy Ruff made the necessary adjustments. New Jersey managed to frustrate New York for three games in a row to claw back into the series. The road warriors that they were all season long, took two games in New York before a convincing beat down on home ice.
Game 6 was just not the Devils’ night. New York got the better of rookie goalie Akira Schmid for the first time in three games. After trading blowout victories the last two games, it all comes down to Game 7.
Projected Lineups
New York Rangers
Forwards
Kreider-Zibanejad-Tarasenko
Lafreniere-Trocheck-Kane
Panarin-Chytil-Kakko
Vesey-Goodrow-Motte
Defense
Lindgren-Fox
Miller-Trouba
Mikkola-Schneider
Goalies
Shesterkin
Halak
New Jersey Devils
Forwards
Tatar-Hischier-Bratt
Palat-Hughes-Haula
Meier-Mercer-Boqvist
Bastian-McLeod-Lazar
Defense
Siegenthaler-Hamilton
Graves-Marino
Bahl-Severson
Goalies
Vanecek
Schmid
What To Watch For
The Goaltending
For the better part of this series, it has gone as you would have expected. The Devils are the better team at five on five, whereas the Rangers have shown flashes of dominance on their power play. In this decisive Game 7, the X-factor will be the play between the pipes.
Games 1 and 2 belonged to Vitek Vanecek, and as we all saw those did not go well for him. Vanecek let in 10 goals and failed to make a timely save for the team. His performances were good for a subpar 4.43 goals against average and a .827 save percentage. Head coach Lindy Ruff made the change and gambled with the 22-year-old rookie. The change paid dividends.
Akira Schmid has been everything you could hope for. To come in and shut the door line he did was incredible to see. Schmid smothered the Rangers attack for his first three starts. His level of play and ability to go toe to toe with Igor Shesterkin was comforting to see.
Schmid went on to stop 80 of 82 shots his first three starts and owns a 2.9 goals saved above expected. However, the Rangers solved him in Game 6 as the Rangers lit him up for five goals.
As for the Rangers’ back stop, there are not enough words to talk about how great Igor Shesterkin is. Aside from Game 5 (which he still faired fine in), he has been great in this series. Shesterkin is locked in and his level of play backs that up.
He leads the league in goals saved above expected (GSAX) with 7.3 this playoffs. What is even more impressive is that his high-danger save percentage ranks among the best as well (.941).
Results For The Devils Top Players
For most of the series, the Rangers top guys have been held in check. They have scored timely goals, but the Devils’ defense has done their job holding them at bay. In fact, it took until Game 6 for Mika Zibanejad to find the back of the net. Artemi Panarin is still goalless in this series. But in order to win Game 7, the Devils best players will need to be their best players.
Jack Hughes is enjoying playoff hockey. He has enjoyed being the villain in New York and has been the teams most consistent scorer this series. Of the teams 13 goals for in this series, he has three of them (tied for team lead). However, there are three players searching for the back of the net and it is not for a lack of trying.
Timo Meier, Nico Hischier, and Jesper Bratt have been the teams most impactful players. That has continued in the postseason as the shot attempts heavily David the Devils with them on the ice at five on five:
- Meier: 110-64
- Bratt: 107-71
- Hischier: 92-62
A lot of it has to do with the play of Igor Shesterkin. The the guys are working hard, but the results have not been there. The biggest chance to cash in would be this decisive Game 7. No better place to shine than now.
Where To Watch
Tonight’s Game 7 is at 8:00 pm ET and will be on MSG and ESPN.