Blue Line Station
Fansided

No deadline moves, Jones signs as NYR start a 4-game series in N.J.

By Steve Paulus

Mar 4, 2021; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) makes a save on a shot by New Jersey Devils center Janne Kuokkanen (59) during the first period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2021; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) makes a save on a shot by New Jersey Devils center Janne Kuokkanen (59) during the first period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox (23) scores a goal on New Jersey Devils goaltender Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox (23) scores a goal on New Jersey Devils goaltender Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /

About the Devils

The Devils pulled off one of the first big deals of the trade deadline, sending Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac to the Islanders for A.J. Greer, Mason Jobst and two draft picks. They followed that up by picking up Jonas Siegenthaler from Washington for a pick and then concluded their trading by sending Dmitry Kulikov to Edmonton for a conditional pick.  They also waived Nikita Gusev and Sami Vatanen.  Vatanen was claimed by Dallas and Gusev was signed by the Florida Panthers.

That means the Rangers will be playing a very different team from the Devils squad they played on March 6 with seven of the 18 skaters gone or injured.  New Jersey is left with only two players in double figures in goals and four players with over 20 points.  Miles Wood leads with 14 goals and Jesper Bratt and Pavel Zacha lead with 25 points.

To compare, the Rangers have six players in double figures in goals, let by Pavel Buchnevich with 15.  They have six players with over 25 points with Panarin leading the team with 42 points.

The good news for the Devils is captain Nico Hischier will be back in the lineup for the first time since February 27 when he was struck in the face by a shot. He has only played five games this season.  The bad news is Pavel Zacha will not play due to an injury he suffered on Sunday.  Defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler, acquired from the Capitals, will make his Devils debut.

Mackenzie Blackwood is expected to be in goal for the Devils.

Projected lineup

59 Janne Kuokkanen – 86 Jack Hughes – 38 Yegor Sharangovich
44 Miles Wood –  13 Nico Hischier – 63 Jesper Bratt
11 Andreas Johnsson   – 90 Jesper Boqvist – 67 Marian Studenic
23 Mikhail Maltsev – 20 Michael McLeod – 12 Tyce Thompson

22 Ryan Murray – 76 P.K. Subban
24 Ty Smith – 28 Damon Severson
8 Will Butcher – 71 Jonas Siegenthaler

29 MacKenzie Blackwood
4 Scott Wedgewood

Home/Analysis