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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: Martin Jones #35 of the Philadelphia Flyers makes the shootout save against Filip Chytil #72 of the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on April 03, 2022 in New York City. The Flyers defeated the Rangers 4-3 in the shootout. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 03: Martin Jones #35 of the Philadelphia Flyers makes the shootout save against Filip Chytil #72 of the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on April 03, 2022 in New York City. The Flyers defeated the Rangers 4-3 in the shootout. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

3. Stay with the puck

Another trend to emerge from the last couple of games has been an alarming bout of bad puck luck in the offensive zone.

In the shutout loss to the Isles, while they played a stinker, the Rangers still won in the shots attempt (54-38), they had more shots, more scoring chances, more high danger chances and, according to Natural Stat Trick, they were expected to score 2.68 goals while the Islanders were expected to score 1.93.

Then, to hammer home the point further, the Blueshirts were dominant in the offensive zone against the Flyers, but were unable to get the job done despite a big third period comeback.

They recorded a stunning 86 shot attempts and they outshot Philadelphia 46-26, but posts, crossbars and a big night from Martin Jones ultimately proved to be the Rangers’ undoing.

However, three goals in the third period earned a point and sticking with it must be the mantra against the Devils tonight.

The Rangers are always going to generate pucks on net with the glut of offensive talent they have, and logic dictates that bad puck luck won’t continue for long.

So, therefore, if they can get after it from the drop of the puck against the Devils, get pucks to the net and throw as much traffic to the front of the net as they can, then the goals will eventually come.

Even if it requires a little bit of patience.

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