Blue Line Station
Fansided

Jack Hughes stars in 4-2 Devils win over Rangers

By Steve Paulus

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 20: Jesper Fast #17 of the New York Rangers and Matt Tennyson #7 of the New Jersey Devils collide on the boards during the first period at the Prudential Center on September 20, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 20: Jesper Fast #17 of the New York Rangers and Matt Tennyson #7 of the New Jersey Devils collide on the boards during the first period at the Prudential Center on September 20, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 2
Next
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 20: The New York Rangers celebrate a third period goal by Brett Howden #21 against Mackenzie Blackwood #29 of the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on September 20, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Rangers 4-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 20: The New York Rangers celebrate a third period goal by Brett Howden #21 against Mackenzie Blackwood #29 of the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on September 20, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Rangers 4-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Notes on the game

Filip Chytil put out a pretty solid effort.  He had one excellent shift in the first period where he controlled play, set up two shots and was able to get to the front of the net for a rebound attempt of the point shot.  For what it’s worth, Chytil looks stronger and he skated with confidence.

  • Ryan Lindgren wants to stay in the NHL.  He had a very active game and was good at getting the puck out of the defensive zone.  He also took on Wayne Simmonds, fighting hi m in the first period.

    • Brett Howden centered the Rangers top line and was effective in between

    Vlad Namestnikov

    and Pavel Buchnevich.  On the Rangers first goal he beat Jack Hughes on the draw, got the puck to Buchnevich for the shot and Namestnikov shoveled in the rebound.

    He scored the Rangers third period power play goal on a nice deflection of a Joe Morrow shot.

    Adam Huska was very, very good, especially on a five on three Devils power play in the third period.  He made two brilliant saves on Taylor Hall shots.  He looked very calm in goal and if he keeps this up, it will complicate the Rangers goaltending situation even more.

    Lundqvist was fine,though he gave up three goals on 24 shots.  Then again, he faced 24 shots in only 30 minutes.  He must have had a severe case of deja vu as he was under siege just like  last season

  • Micheal Haley had another fight and threw his body around. He didn’t do anything to earn a job with the Rangers unless you consider willingness to mix it up a criteria for a contract.

    • Tryout candidate Mason Geertsen had a tough night. He didn’t play particularly well and twice tried to pick a fight, dropping his gloves only to see the Devil player skate away.  In both instances he ended up looking pretty foolish. The second incident resulted in an unsportsmanlike conduct minor penalty.

    Joey Keane looked a bit overmatched in this game.   He lost the puck behind the net on the third Devils goal and took three minor penalties.

  • Jesper Fast had a strong game, especially on the penalty kill.  An unrestricted free agent after this season, he demonstrated why he could be trade bait at the deadline in February.
  • Joe Morrow had a uneven game, not good enough to earn a job.  He was undressed by Michael McLeod on his second period goal.  His point shot was tipped by Brett Howden on the Rangers’ second goal.

    • The Devils power play was pretty loaded.  It featured Taylor Hall, Jack Hughes, Wayne Simmonds, Kyle Palmieri and P.K. Subban.

    The Rangers were outshot 40-23 and 14-5 in the first period.    After they fell behind 3-0  the teams played pretty even except for the penalties.

    The Rangers had to kill seven penalties, allowing one goal.   They were 1-3 on the power play.  They won 43% of the faceoffs.

    There are still some players who are yet to see any preseason action and they may get their chance on Saturday in Philadelphia.  No word if Kevin Hayes will play for the Flyers, but Alain Vigneault will definitely be behind the bench. The game  is at 7pm and will be televised on the MSG Network.

    More. The roster is complete as DeAngelo signs. light

    Home/Analysis