The Rangers put about half the effort as the Devils into the game last night and that is reflected in the line score, half as many goals, one goal a period, and the total shots on goal 39-18. In fact, the Devils had as many missed shots as the Rangers had total shots and at one point early in the second period, the Rangers had scored two goals on a total of three official shots on goal.
And yet…they were still in the game, down a goal, until 13:05 of the third when thou who shalt not be named anymore put the Devils up by two. Guess this is what you get when two bottom third teams play each other late in the season.
For the Rangers, Gavrikov (14) continues his unexpected goal scoring ways, putting them up 1-0 at 15:20 of the first period, assisted by Lafreniere (26). The Rangers would give it all back and then some before the end of the period, to Hischier (24) at 16:14 and Gritsyuk (13) at 19:16. 2-1 NJD after one.
Zibanejad (28) who has been hot since the turn of the year tied the game at just 00:19 of the second, a typical Mika shot from the circle (though moving). Perreault (12) gets the only assist. Brown (13) would put the Devils back up a goal at 11:36 on the PP and that would be it for period two, NJD 3 NYR 2.
Meir (19) extended the NJD lead at 06:29 of the third but the nephew-in-law, Sheary (3), would cut it to just one goal at 09:41, assisted by Robertson (10) and Miller (25). This was Miller’s first point since 2 March and third since 28 Feb. The excitement lasted less than four minutes as TWSNBNA (18) put NJD back up by two and Bratt (16) would double the Rangers up at 16:22. Final score: NJD 6 NYR 3
Game summary below:
The Rangers will have a chance to redeem themselves right away tonight when they hop on a quick flight to Columbus to take on the Blue Jackets at 19:00 EDT.
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