Blue Line Station
Fansided

New York Rangers need better goaltending, other keys to beating the Devils

By Andrew Steele-Davis

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - MARCH 22: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers tries to take the puck from Nico Hischier #13 of the New Jersey Devils during the third period at Prudential Center on March 22, 2022 in Newark, New Jersey. The New Jersey Devils defeated the New York Rangers 7-4. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - MARCH 22: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers tries to take the puck from Nico Hischier #13 of the New Jersey Devils during the third period at Prudential Center on March 22, 2022 in Newark, New Jersey. The New Jersey Devils defeated the New York Rangers 7-4. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 03: New York Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant talks to referee Dan O’Rourke #9 during the third period against the Philadelphia Flyers at Madison Square Garden on April 03, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 03: New York Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant talks to referee Dan O’Rourke #9 during the third period against the Philadelphia Flyers at Madison Square Garden on April 03, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

2. Don’t play down

If there’s anything the Rangers have learned from the last few days, it is to not take your opponent too lightly.

Both the Islanders and the Flyers will be watching the Stanley Cup Playoffs from home, yet both teams punched the Blueshirts firmly in the mouth over the weekend.

Playing down to their opponents’ level has been a trend for the Rangers recently, who blew a two-goal lead to be blown out by the Devils a couple of weeks ago, while they needed overtime to beat both the Buffalo Sabres and the Detroit Red Wings.

Therefore, it isn’t a stretch to say that if the Rangers can play a complete game and handle their business, then they should be able to snap a two-game losing streak.

However, as recent history suggests, if they play sloppy hockey and don’t look after the puck in their own zone, then another stinker of a loss to a team out of playoff contention will follow.

Especially given that this Devils team, even without Jack Hughes who left Sunday’s game against the Islanders with a lower-body team, play hard every single night and battle until the end, even if they do make stupid mistakes of their own.

They also boast plenty of young talent with the likes of Jesper Bratt, who has 65 points (22 goals, 43 assists) in 64 games, and Nico Hischier who has 50 points (19 goals, 31 assists) in 60 games.

As was the case in the last game at Prudential Center, these Devils can turn on the heat when they are in the mood, and the onus will be on the Rangers to play like a postseason team and start to fatten up their record against teams under .500.

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