New York Rangers have a rough night against the New Jersey Devils
By Jordan Laroche
This was a tough game for New York Ranger fans to watch as the New Jersey Devils were all over them all game. The Rangers are coming off a back-to-back against two of the league’s top teams, the Carolina Hurricanes, and the Tampa Bay Lightning, winning both in very tight contests. The Rangers seemed to have run out of gas against the Devils.
It was the Rangers who jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on goals by Mika Zibanejad and Adam Fox. Andrew Copp, in his first game with the Rangers since being traded by the Winnipeg Jets, gets his first point as a Ranger with an assist on Fox’s goal. Copp, Tyler Motte and Justin Braun all had big roles tonight as they were all moved up and down the lineup to find their best fit.
Copp started on the third line with Filip Chytil and Dryden Hunt but as the game went on he saw some time with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider, even getting some powerplay time down the stretch. Copp looked to fit in right away with two assists on the night. As Copp moved up in the lineup, Tyler Motte took his spot on the third line and was buzzing all game, taking the puck to the net and taking the body.
Braun skated alongside Patrik Nemeth on the Rangers bottom defensive pair, which raised Rangers fan’s eyebrows. When acquiring Braun, we assumed he would be taking Nemeth’s spot on the line, but the Rangers elected to scratch rookie Braden Schneider. Schneider has been playing himself into the lineup and is deserving of a role on the team, in Schneider’s 26 NHL games he has six points and is a +2, while Nemeth has four points in 49 games and is a -9. While Schneider may have helped the Rangers tonight, it is not the reason why they lost.
It seemed everyone on the team had an off night from the forwards all the way to Hart Trophy candidate, Igor Shesterkin. Shesterkin had a hard time controlling his rebounds and was beaten on the initial shot more than once. This is only one of the few off nights Shesterkin has had in his career, but he has rebounded well in the past and Ranger fans need not worry.
This was a tough one to swallow, but the Rangers will be back Friday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Box Score:
1st Period
G: Mika Zibanejad (26) A: Chris Kreider (16) Alexis Lafreniere (9)
G: Adam Fox (10) A: Mika Zibanejad (39) Andrew Copp (23)
2nd Period
G: Ryan Graves (6) A: Jesper Bratt (40)
G: P.K. Subban (5) A: Andreas Johnsson (19) Ty Smith (13)
G: Dawson Mercer (16) A: Ryan Graves (20)
G: Tomas Tatar (12) A: Damon Severson (26) Jesper Bratt (41)
G: Yegor Sherangovich (16) A: Nico Hischer (26) Dougie Hamilton (17)
3rd Period
G: Ryan Strome (15) A: Artemi Panarin (57) Ryan Lindgren (8)
G: Jack Hughes (20) A: Nico Hischer (27)
G: Jack Hughes (21) A: Yegor Sherangovich (19) P.K. Subban (16)
G: Chris Kreider (42) A: Andrew Copp (24) Adam Fox (54)