In a riveting showdown the Rangers emerged victorious against the New Jersey Devils 5-3 in a game played at the Prudential Center. This game, like a few before it, showcased the Rangers’ resilience and ability to clutch victory from the jaws of defeat in a fiercely contested match.
Vesey, with his knack for being at the right place at the right time, scored a crucial go-ahead goal late in the third period. Panarin also played a pivotal role, scoring twice and extending his impressive multi-point game streak, much to the despair of the Derbils faithful.
Shesterkin, returning from an absence due to an undisclosed “soreness”, was a wall in the net after shaking off some rust, making 30 saves and proving instrumental in the Rangers’ win. His performance was particularly noteworthy at a critical time when the Devils barraged him with shots just before Vesey turned the tide with a backhanded goal that put the Rangers ahead. The defensive effort, along with Shesterkin’s play were key elements down the stretch to securing the big win.
This victory against the Devils wasn’t just another win; it was a statement to the rest of the league that these Rangers are for real. The Rangers extended their point streak to 11 games, a feat not seen since their 13-game run in 2015. The team’s record of 12 wins in the first 15 games is the best start in franchise history
Finally, please take a moment today to remember James Gerace; there will be a memorial service for him in NJ early this afternoon.
85 responses to “Rangers 5, Devils 3”
JamesGeau.
I’m sure he likes what he sees from his beloved Rangers this season. I’m also sure he’d be quick to usher people off the ledge of a 12-2-1 team over Mika or KK.
RIP, James G.
Thanks Beezle you said a mouthful!
God bless James and Ilya
They don’t look nearly as slow when they are playing with a purpose. How bad was Quinn? GG was an improvement because he let them play up to their individual abilities. Lavy has them playing as a team and Bread is carrying them. He is earning his money so far this season. They do need a healthy Fox to be a contender. Let hope he can take some time off from Bagels and Fox soon.
Still can’t get over we lost James and ilb.
I paused for a moment of silence for James G. and Ilya before posting.
“‘I forget about last year,’ Artemi Panarin said, ‘My [motivation] for this season is the same as the season before. Except I did more work over the summer. That’s probably not because of me, the coach gave me a conditioning [program]. I disagree with him, but I still do it.’” (LB/NYP)
On track for 142 points…
My thoughts are with James’s family & friends.
Sure miss James and Ilya and still pray for their families.
lol Panarin – coach tells me to do something but I disagree, do it anyways and end up super elite player.
Contradictions do not exist. Whenever you think that you are facing a contradiction, check your premises. You will find that one of them is wrong. Francisco d’Anconia
Premise saying!
The two blog stalwarts representing the heart and soul of this virtual meeting place have passed on but will not be forgotten.
30th Anniversary of ‘94; stranger things have happened…
@ Old Ranger Fan:
“How bad was Quinn?”
Bad enough to be the head coach of the Sharks!
ilb and James would have LOVED to have seen this one! Maybe they did.
Wheeler with another big point Mika line out for crunch time in Dzone.
Would like to see Sykora get a look-see with Flip out for longer than anticipated. Bonino has been steady but more of a 4C.
Bread playing at Hart level performance. Structure can make the better players even better.
Just win baby.
Let us not forget that Kaapo suffers with Diabetes One. Not the common house cold to be sure.
Diabetes 1 shoot the puck 2
Kaapo hasn’t hurt the team. They’re 12-2-1
I don’t dislike Wheeler as player. I just don’t think he fits. He is a power forward past his prime. He’s not a 3rd line winger, and he is not adding anything to the Huggers line.
A great coach is able to extract more from his roster than just the sum of its parts.
Recently, Trotz was able to do that with a slow, modestly talented Islanders squad twice before quitting.
Laviolette is doing it so far with a very talented and motivated Rangers squad right now.
In the spirit of Ilya, pour yourself a nice glass of wine and enjoy this!
Admiral
I salute you. And I am enjoying the ride.
they are not making drastic changes if they are winning and based on cap situation but maybe they mix up 1st and 3rd line combos when Chytil comes back
So Sutherland blew the whistle before Hughes’ shot crossed the goal line. But hey, it’s the Rangers, so what hell it’s a good goal.
Right now, LW Lafren is the Rangers best performing RW, on the line that is really the top one. I’d like to see move Kakko back to Mika’s line, Wheeler isn’t the answer there and I think that’s a better fit in terms of play driving at least if not in scoring as neither winger has turned on the Huggies 5-on-5.
or split up the Huggies…they will always have the powerplay
Kreider is definitely not a third liner
Their 5 on 5 production is 3rd line
So who plays on Mika’s left then? Cuylle? Vesey? Othmann?
Might as well go back to.
Kreider Zibanejad Kakko
Would be nice to have a tarasenko or Vatrano on Mika’s right
Othman has been playing right all year in Hartford. Kids are adaptable
Bring him up and see if he sparks that line.
Would strongly prefer letting Othman play in Hartford and mature his game.
Mika is 1-3-4 (+7) at ES. He is second on SoG but 4.8 shooting %. They are playing strong D and ranked 12th in XG against for all lines in league
Cuylle didn’t start playing well in Hartford until the second half last year. Give Othman a couple of more months there. No rush given how they are playing.
I can buy that
Wonder if they give Sykora a spin with Flip out
Kinda nice to be one of best faceoff teams in the league
Makes a difference on specialty teams
Getting possession right away on PP
Trocheck is earning his paycheck big time
Bonino is great on defensive side of puck
Michael Peca?
Othmann is far too talented not to bring up. When you have great scoring talents you need to learn from the best not AHL players.
He is getting scoring chances. He needs to figure out how to beat pro goalies.
On my way to Dallas for work tonight. Will be at the American Airlines Center tomorrow, my first NYR game of the season. 2 good teams. Stars fans are really annoying but you cannot get to tough with them. They probably have a gun in their cars.
Otter needs to learn the pro game; no issue with him spending time getting use to playing against men.
2 goals, -5 in 15 games is not someone ripping up the league
Fox skating in practice with noncontact jersey. Looks like he is on schedule to return.
So I’m binging on Nirvana concert videos.
No question — in my mind — that generation X is the most badass (after the WWII generation that is).
We didn’t get Hendrix, the Beatles, or Zeppelin. But we did get bands that were just badass like Nirvana. And we knew how to ROCK at concerts. Just go nuts.
For today’s younger people: enjoy being Swifties and rock those iPhones! Bwahahahahaaaa
We also got the 1994 Rangers, btw! 😉
Fishsticks fans celebrating their shootout win over Calgary like they’re on the way to a Stanley Cup parade on Hempstead Tpke.
STP Purple and the 1994 stanley cup, name a more iconic duo.
Bobby
you’re kidding right? if you really believe mika line is 3rd line. which is 2nd? the bonino line?
Never said that Alex. I’ve said to give Cullye a shot with Ziba and Kreider but if that doesn’t work to break up the huggie twins who bring little offensive 5 on 5 production after several years of playing together. That probably means Kreider to the 3rd line or you keep them with Kakko and be happy with a very well paid checking line. by the way…the first line is the one with Panarin on it
bobby
that’s why i mentioned 2nd and 3rd lines. you did say they’re playing at 3rd line level. so which line is playing at 2nd line level? i really think if kreider is moved to 3rd line that will dramatically hurt his pp and pk production. based on less playing time and of course less confidence.
Pearl Jam Ten also special!!!
Metallica
GNR
And the long trip of Phish we are still on.
Honestly don’t see how it hurts his special team production or confidence ..he’s not a rookie but veteran player that wants to win. A solid 3rd line doesn’t mean less ice time either
bobby
as is often the case i couldn’t disagree more with you. 3rd liners do get less time than top 6 forwards. and confidence can be increased or decreased based on deployment. or weren’t there thousands of posts about laffy and kakko getting pp time and top 6 minutes over last few years. wouldn’t the same apply to kreider?
No production 5v5??
Who led the team in ES goals the last 2 seasons?
If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail…
don’t think ice time differential for 3rd lines on good teams that usually have leads is that great …maybe we should break up the Panarin line so Kreider’s confidence isn’t impacted
It seems to me unlikely they would make any changes until they lost a few in a row. They aren’t putting Kreider on 3rd or Cuylle on other wing. They are going to have to ride Mika’s funk out until the $8M dj gets back in the groove
Should be fun here when Chytil comes back and they move Trochek
Chytil is not a center- they should get a 2-way center and possibly move him to RW; he’s going to get killed skating thru the middle of neutral Zone with his head down all the time
Ai I said from the start of the season, Mika would be the most impacted by adding structure as he gets most of his 5v5 points on odd man break outs.
Let’s face it, the biggest difference is Bread playing up to his contract, dramatically increasing his ES performance and not trying to audition for the Rockettes
Mika …1 even strength goal, no goals since November and he’s missing the net on over 50% of his powerplay shots. Hard to ignore his lack of 5 on 5 chemistry with Kreider and his general streakiness
SN
Agree on Chytil, better served on the wing. He might work out nicely on Mika’s RW. Cuylle, a 2 way center, and Kakko would be fine for a 3rd line. The problem with that is to get the 3rd C, Kakko may be expendable. Then again Chytil’s long term health is a huge question mark.
Henrique or Sturm could work as the 3C ..both would be much cheaper than Lindholm
Large, pacific NHL dudes like Chytil best learn to be a bit more of the hitter than the hittee or just reconcile themselves to a life of injured victim.
I would be speechless if Drury does anything. Cap Strap Fever!
Drury has had some solid trade deadlines
Mika needs to wake up well before the trade deadline.
While I liked what I saw from Chytil centering Panerin. I think the trocheck chemistry has improved since last year
If team need is 1RW I actually would love to see what Chytil could do up with Mika and Kreider on the wing.
Kreider Mika Chytil
Panerin Trochek Laffy
Cuylle goody Kaako
Vesey Bonino Wheeler/Pitlik
Corporal Clegg
Not bad. Still, Goodrow is better on the wing. Wheeler doesn’t drive possession needed for a 4th liner. This team is doing great, they just have flaws like most teams. Drury doesn’t presently have the cap space make the changes. It’s why Wheeless is here.
Vince Z. Mercogliano
@vzmercogliano
A couple Hartford notes:
– Ben Harpur is out for the season due to pectoral surgery. A hit the #NYR D depth.
– RD Mac Hollowell has been out with an injury, but coach Steve Smith is hopeful he’ll be back this week. He practiced today.
Wheeler costs next to nothing, makes the smart and steady play; has points in 4 of last 5 games; team is playing on fire. No reason to panic. 3C is the need more than anything. Bonino is willing but 37 yo legs won’t last till spring at this pace.
Would still inquire on Pat Maroon
WOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
LETS GO RANGERS LETS GO!!!!
Go PANARIN Go GO GO GO
Rip
Captain Ilya and James
Mia
ORR , CARP , TiKi , blog momma ect…
If Chytil does return, it will be as the 3C, assuming the Bread/Trocheck experience is still positive. If he doesn’t come back I can see at some point flipping Bonino and Goodrow if for no other reason than the motor. Bonino’s been great but the season is long for an old(er) man.
LETS DO THIS!!!!
LETS GO PANARIN LETS GO
Maroon and players of his ilk are always welcome for playoff push. Last years acquisitions were the opposite
The arrival of Tarasenko and Mikkola were certainly welcome. Less so the arrival of certain former-Blackhawk.. I also welcomed the arrival of whatever future considerations arrived in place of kravtsov
Tonight and a couple of upcoming games(Boston, Pens) will be the real measuring stick games. Rangers have been resilient and finding ways to win, but these games will be more of a test of how good they really are. Missing Fox and Chityl will make it even more of a test. Special teams may be the difference tonight, with Rangers having #2 PP and Stars having #2 PK. Time for Mika to break out on PP. Let’s Go Rangers!!!
SN
Bonino is 35 not 37 but I get your point.
Drury is yet again likely going to have to trade assets in attempt to find a temporary solve the hole in top 6RW he created when traded Buch for a 4th liner.
Bonino doing admirable job as temporary 3C but unlikely to be able to maintain all year and Goodrow playing well where he fits best at this stage, which is why ultimately likely be moved in one offseason before his deal is up. Not suggesting doing it now unless trading for a young difference maker for whom they need to clear space
Very sad for Chytil; if no improvement in next month would just shut him down for regular season and leverage that cap space for new 3C and hope Chytil able to come back healthy for playoffs or next year
I’m still sticking with my earlier post Drury isn’t acquiring a 3C anytime soon.
Though, I would be immensely pleased if he did.
He’s 35? Very young then, keep running him out there
SN
I agreed you.
By the way Crosby is 35 keep running him out there.
pete
buch was cap casualty. likely wouldn’t have someone like trocheck if kept buch. and i know they’re different positions. or if no goodrow still need to lose a kakko like salary
Funny scenario with this potential, free agent insane signing. – Rangers are linked to Nylander.
8 years/90 million, $11,250,000 AAV is minimum to resign in Toronto, I would think. (If he wants
to stay) Otherwise, probably @LAKings or @NYRangers
for Big City Willy.
Crazy, of course…
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