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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 – JANUARY 09: Tony DeAngelo #77 of the New York Rangers scores past Kevin Rooney #16 of the New Jersey Devils at 9:47 of the first period goal at Madison Square Garden on January 09, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 09: Tony DeAngelo #77 of the New York Rangers scores past Kevin Rooney #16 of the New Jersey Devils at 9:47 of the first period goal at Madison Square Garden on January 09, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Last season

Last season the two teams split their four games.  It was an odd series with all none of the games ending with close scores.  The Devils inflicted two of the worst defeats on the Rangers last season.

Game 1 – October 17, 2019:  Devils 5, Rangers 2

The Devils had dropped their first six games of the season when they rolled over the Rangers in Newark.  The Rangers were 0-6 on the power play, a key reason for the loss as the Devils jumped out to a 3-1 lead and never looked back.  Jack Hughes registered his first NHL point, an assist on a Miles Wood goal, in the first meeting between Hughes and Kappo Kakko.

Game 2 – November 30, 2019 – Rangers 4, Devils 0

The Rangers got their revenge, beating the Devils at Madison Square Garden behind the shutout goaltending of Alexandar Georgiev.  It was a tight game 1-0 game until the third period when the Rangers broke it open on shorthanded goals by Mika Zibanejad and Jesper Fast.

Game 3 – January 9, 2020:  Rangers 6, Devils 3

History was made when Tony DeAngelo became only the fourth Rangers defenseman to get a hat trick, joining Brad Park, Brian Leetch and Reijo Ruotslainen.  It was the first hat trick for a Ranger blueliner since 1982.  His five points tied Leetch’s franchise record for a defenseman.

It was also Igor Shesterkin’s second NHL start and win as he made 46 saves.  The 49 shots were the most for the Devils in a game last season.

Game 4 – March 7, 2020:  Devils 6, Rangers 4

The last meeting of the year was a home ice stinker for the Blueshirts.  They were seeing their playoff hopes slip away as they lost for the fourth time in five games.  It was even more demoralizing as it came one game after their dramatic overtime win against the Capitals that saw Mika ZIbanejad score five goals.

Up 2-1 after one period, the Devils scored four straight goals to chase Igor Shesterkin who was replaced by Henrik Lundqvist.  It was Shesterkin’s first start after missing six games with fractured ribs suffered in a car acccident in Brooklyn.   It was Shesterkin’s first loss in eight starts.

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