Devils lead playoff series after dominating Rangers in Newark

New Jersey Devils, Ice Hockey, Professional

April 29, 2023

Heading into Thursday's game against the New York Rangers, the momentum was being built for the New Jersey Devils to explode for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Prior to the pivotal matchup, the Devils struggled at home in this series, in fact they lost the first two games for a combined score of 10-2. Fortunately for New Jersey, they’ve been able to rattle off key wins on the road at MSG to tie the series at 2-2. That said, the Devils' momentum carried and led to a dominating victory over the Rangers, 4-0 on Thursday night.

“We knew, if we used our speed we were one of the fastest teams in the NHL,” Devils Center Nico Hischier said when asked if he was surprised by the dominant win.”We can beat them wide and play with our speed more often.“

Devils Carry Momentum from MSG

Prior to the game, it appeared both teams were struggling to win on home ice. Clearly, the Devils took this narrative personally and evidently came out with a mission. Within the opening seconds of the first period, the Devils manage to secure a goal setting the tone for the remainder of the game and the Devils never looked back.

At the start of the game, it was evident the Devils began skating with intensity and were building off of the crowd. The atmosphere in the Prudential Center was something to be applauded for as New Jersey admittedly fed off of the arena's energy and delivered when they were called upon. The opening goal was off a Devils-won face off that led to Devils left wing (LW) Ondrej Palat's second goal of the postseason.

“The early goal gave the boys a lot of confidence and a lot of energy,” Devils Goalie Akira Schmid stated. “Keeping that momentum for the whole game is essential and it helps them play phenomenally in front of me.”

“The fans are amazing, it’s like playing with sixth man on the ice,” Schmid continues.

For the remainder of the first period, the Rangers began to play tougher and managed to survive a few power plays by the Devils giving them opportunities to build confidence and momentum.

Devils Put the Rangers Away for Good

In the final two periods, New Jersey skated and moved the puck more efficiently than the Rangers. Early in the second period, the Devils appeared to be clicking on all cylinders and managed to score another goal. Prior to the goal, the Devils won another face off which immediately led to a shot from Timo Meier that Devils center Erik Haula rebounded and scored, giving the Devils a 2-0 lead. As the period progressed, the Devils managed to find another goal on a breakaway play led by Hischier and finished by Devils forward Dawson Mercer.

The final goal of the game came in the third period when the Rangers were attempting their last chance of getting on the board leading to a goalless goal for the Devils. That said, this win symbolized this team's relentlessness and resiliency to win. The victory gives the Devils all the confidence and momentum moving forward and brings them one game closer to advancing out of the first round for the first time since 2012.