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Game recap: 3 third period goals doom the Rangers in 5-2 loss to the Devils

By Steve Paulus

Mikhail Maltsev #23 of the New Jersey Devils celebrates his empty net and first NHL goal in the third period against the New York Rangers (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Mikhail Maltsev #23 of the New Jersey Devils celebrates his empty net and first NHL goal in the third period against the New York Rangers (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Chris Kreider #20 of the New York Rangers congratulates teammate Pavel Buchnevich #89 . Mandatory Credit: Elsa/POOL PHOTOS-USA TODAY Sports
Chris Kreider #20 of the New York Rangers congratulates teammate Pavel Buchnevich #89 . Mandatory Credit: Elsa/POOL PHOTOS-USA TODAY Sports /

Notes on the game

It wasn’t obvious as to when Trouba was hurt.  He played his last shift in the second period just before Buchnevich scored, getting an assist on the goal and he never took the ice after that shift.  He was not hit or looked like he strained anything on that play. Quinn said that they wouldn’t know about it until tomorrow.

Adam Fox led all Rangers with 25:40 minutes of ice time.  Zibanejad was the top forward with 19:50.

Chris Kreider and Brendan Smith each had four hits, tops on the Rangers.

Janne Kuokkanen was named first star of the game based on his three assists. Those three assists matched his career total that he scored in 21 NHL games.  Her never had more than one point in a game in his career.

The Rangers kept Jack Hughes off the scoresheet, with Colin Blackwell matched up against him most of the game.

Colin Blackwell’s goal was his second of the season.  He now has two goals and two assists in six games this season.

In two games against the Devils, the Rangers have taken 89 shots on goal and scored five times.  Those totals of 50 and 39 shots were the two highest single game totals for the Rangers  this season.

Mika Zibanejad remains mired at one goal and two assists in 14 games.  He has one assists in his last 11 games.

Chris Kreider has three goals and one assist in 14 games. As mentioned, his second period assist was the first of the season for him.

Kaapo Kakko and Alexi Lafreniere remained teamed with Ryan Strome and are still having no puck luck.  The trio had seven shots on goal and had several dominant shifts, but just cannot buy a goal.

After going 0-6 with the man advantage  on Friday and working on the power play all weekend, they didn’t get a single power play, the first time that has happened this season. Last season, they had one game when they didn’t draw a penalty.

Kevin Rooney won 11 of 13 faceoffs and was being sent out for key draws by David Quinn.  Zibanejad won nine of 20 while Howden won four of 11 and Strome was awful, winning two of 12.

If Trouba and Miller are unable to play on Thursday, they will have to promote someone from Hartford as they have no defensemen on the taxi squad.

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