The New York Rangers lost for the first time this season to the New Jersey Devils in a game that had a little bit of everything. It wasn’t a work of art, but it was in interesting game to watch.
The New York Rangers battled back from a two goal deficit, but a late Devils goal off a Rangers turnover sealed the loss. A clearly frustrated Henrik Lundqvist was stymied in his fifth try for career win 450. This was a tale of three periods as each 20 minute session was different from the others.
Period one was a sloppy, undisciplined period, an example of what happens when two non-playoff teams meet in a meaningless game late in the season. The Rangers were outshooting the Devils nine to one four minutes into the game when Miles Wood broke up the right wing and beat Lundqvist from outside the faceoff circle. This was a goal that Lundqvist could have stopped.
After Tony DeAngelo was whistled off for tripping, Travis Zajac scored a power play goal at 14:34 to put the Devils up 2-0. Damon Severson took a shot from the blueline and Zajac had position in the slot to make the deflection.
The Rangers got on the board when Brett Howden scored at 18:40 of the first period. Neal Pionk broke up a Devils rush and Howden and Connor Brickley broke in on a two on one.
A belated birthday present for Brett Howden puts the #NYR on the board against #NJDevils pic.twitter.com/qQ8K68VT9v
— MSG Networks (@MSGNetworks) April 2, 2019
Brickley made the pass to Howden who snapped the puck past Miles Blackwood.
The second period was a much better period for the Rangers and it was a period of hard nosed, chippy hockey. There was a lot of stickwork, pushing and shoving and it resulted in several scrums. This one featured Tony DeAngelo and Brendan Lemieux after an uncalled crosscheck to Lemieux.
"Are you not entertained?!" - Tony DeAngelo asks @PruCenter after #NYR and #NJDevils throw down! pic.twitter.com/7pqFibDsYg
— MSG Networks (@MSGNetworks) April 2, 2019
DeAngelo took on Nathan Bastian and after the fight he egged on the crowd on the way to the penalty box.
The Rangers tied the score when AndyGreene was sent off for holding Chris Kreider at 15:02. A minute and a half into the power play, Filip Chytil knotted the score.
On a rush into the Devils’ zone DeAngelo got the puck to Vinni Lettieri who took the shot. Blackwood made the save but he rebound came right out to Chytil who buried it.
The final highlight of the second period came seven seconds after the Chytil goal when Brendan Lemieux literally beat the crap out of Miles Wood.
Looks like the #NYR and #NJDevils are getting ready for #WrestleMania36! pic.twitter.com/w7I7LZ7glr
— MSG Networks (@MSGNetworks) April 2, 2019
It was a totally one-sided fight and a clear decision for Lemieux. There was one more fight when Lias Andersson took on Blake Coleman after he was hit by the Devils forward. The period ended with the score tied and 40 minutes in penalties including six fighting majors. .
The third period was controlled by the Devils, outshooting the Blueshirts 14-8. Both teams were playing defensive hockey, but New Jersey definitely had the advantage. It looked like the team were heading to overtime, but with 4:10 left in the game the Rangers turned over the puck at their blueline and Connor Carrick broke in and beat Lundqvist. The Ranger forwards, particularly Chytil, had vacated the zone thinking they had possession so Lundqvist was left high and dry.
Joey Anderson added an empty net goal at 18:51 to seal the win for the Devils.