Rangers come back to beat the New Jersey Devils in overtime

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 12: Filip Chytil #72 of the New York Rangers celebrates his game winning overtime goal against the New Jersey Devils along with K'Andre Miller #79 at Madison Square Garden on December 12, 2022 in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Devils 4-3 in overtime (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 12: Filip Chytil #72 of the New York Rangers celebrates his game winning overtime goal against the New Jersey Devils along with K'Andre Miller #79 at Madison Square Garden on December 12, 2022 in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Devils 4-3 in overtime (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 12: Filip Chytil #72 of the New York Rangers celebrates his game-winning overtime goal against the New Jersey Devils along with K’Andre Miller #79 at Madison Square Garden on December 12, 2022, in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Devils 4-3 in overtime (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 12: Filip Chytil #72 of the New York Rangers celebrates his game-winning overtime goal against the New Jersey Devils along with K’Andre Miller #79 at Madison Square Garden on December 12, 2022, in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Devils 4-3 in overtime (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Well, that was eventful. What is somewhat surprising is that the New York Rangers just snapped one of the longest road-winning streaks in the history of the league with a 4-3 overtime victory over the division-leading New Jersey Devils. This is a statement result from the Rangers after their very inconsistent start to the season, beating one of the best teams in the NHL and beating the best road team in the NHL is impressive.

Obviously, the turning point in this game came late in the second when the Devils were 3-1 up. Two goals in 7 seconds brought the Rangers level and from there they were able to grab the extra point in overtime. New York having the ability to storm back into this game is a good sign. With how the offense had been and the sluggish performances from the top six, it was a welcome change to see them inspire the team back into this one.

Now for reason number one, the Rangers won tonight. Igor Shesterkin. I could justifiably just end it here. New York needed their elite goaltender to come through for them tonight and Shesterkin answered the call after a first goal that you would perhaps like him to have. His big save on the Jack Hughes penalty shot was huge for not allowing the Devils to make the lead 4-1. Hindsight is 20/20, but that turned out to be an incredibly important poke check.

Filip Chytil would grab the game-winner in overtime as the Rangers got an important extra point out of an excellent New Jersey Devils team. A nice play from Artemi Panarin lead to the Rangers getting the puck back and as Panarin dropped the puck bag for Chytil, he just picked his spot to end the game. It was how you draw up an overtime game-winning goal. Puck retrieval, possessional, and a clinical shot.

With the two points tonight, the Rangers now sit firmly in the first Wild Card spot. They’re three points clear of the Detroit Red Wings who are the first team outside the playoffs having played three games more. Four wins in a row have really put the Rangers back into the running for perhaps even more than just a measly playoff appearance, although if the playoffs started today, round one would be Devils Rangers.

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