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Game preview: The Rangers take on a resurgent Devils squad

By Steve Paulus

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 09: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers checks Nico Hischier #13 of the New Jersey Devils during the first period at Madison Square Garden on January 09, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 09: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers checks Nico Hischier #13 of the New Jersey Devils during the first period at Madison Square Garden on January 09, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 18: Nathan Bastian #42 of the New Jersey Devils sends a shot wide of Alexandar Georgiev #40 of the New York Rangers during the first period at Madison Square Garden on September 18, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 18: Nathan Bastian #42 of the New Jersey Devils sends a shot wide of Alexandar Georgiev #40 of the New York Rangers during the first period at Madison Square Garden on September 18, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

About the Rangers

The Rangers will be going with Alexandar Georgiev in goal and the exact same lineup that was so good in the team’s 5-0 win over the Islanders on Saturday. That means Tony DeAngelo will sit out his second straight game, replaced by Brendan Smith in the lineup.   Coach David Quinn said that DeAngelo’s punishment is over, but he won’t be breaking up a lineup that wins.

The Rangers have posted a winning record against the Devils only twice in the last five seasons.   That’s not the story when it comes to Georgiev who seems to thrive against Metropolitan area rivals.  He has a 2-1 career record against the Devils with a 2.03 Goals Against Average (GAA) and a .934 Save Percentage (Sv%) and one shutout.

The Rangers’ start last season was was an example of their inconsistency. It took them 23 games before they would win three games in a row.  They didn’t mount their first four game winning streak until February.  Of their 37 wins, 21 were followed by losses.

One of the challenges in such a short season will be to put together a hot streak.  From the results so far throughout the league, it looks like winning streaks will be at a premium with the tough divisional play.

About the Devils

The Devil’s opened their season hosting the Boston Bruins for two games.  They were impressive in the two games, losing the first in a shootout 3-2 and winning on Saturday in overtime 2-1.  Goalie Mackenzie Blackwood was the second star of the opener, making 35 saves.

In the second game they  secured Lindy Ruff’s first win as Devils coach as Blackwood was again named second star of the game with 27 saves. They won on rookie Yegor Sharangovich’s first NHL goal with less then two seconds left in overtime.

Jack Hughes is the leading scorer for New Jersey with three points, all even strength assists. Rookie defenseman Ty Smith has a goal and an assist and Miles Wood leads with two goals.

The Devils have yet to score a power play goal and have given up one shorthanded marker.

Mackenzie Blackwood is 3-2 in five career starts against the Rangers, though his GAA is a less than stellar 3.50 to go with a SV% of .890.

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