There will be a seventh game in this series. There had to be. New York won this game handily in the end and takes a 5-2 win with them back to Newark, New Jersey for game seven. This was a dominant performance from the Rangers after the opening 20 minutes to survive elimination once again and create a winner takes all final game in this series across the river at the Prudential Center. Oh, what a game that will be.
Until then, we have to talk about this one and the big story is Chris Kreider. Kreider opened the scoring on the powerplay as a shot going well wide of the net bounced off the shinpads of the big winger and ends up beating Akira Schmid to tie the game at one. He’d have assists on Mika Zibanejad’s goal as well as a helper on Vladimir Tarasenko’s tally as the reshaped topline shared the scoring with each one finding twine.
Going back to Braden Schneider, he would score his first goal in 46 games. His first career playoff goal as the young rookie showed he can be a big contributor for the Blueshirts tallying the fifth goal to put the game out of reach and chase New Jersey Devils netminder Akira Schmid from this game to create a goalie controversy for the Devils ahead of a decisive game seven. That is for next week though.
Speaking of goalies, Igor Shesterkin. I feel like I can leave it there. We all know how good Igor Shesterkin is and how important he is, but he was excellent again tonight. A big windmill save towards the end of the game to preserve the 3-goal lead and even had an attempt at the Devils’ empty net looking to score a playoff goal and one-up some of the other netminders that have tallied empty net goals.
Game 7 will be on Monday. The winner will progress to take on the awaiting Carolina Hurricanes. The loser’s season will come to an end. This Hudson River rivalry will reach a new climax when the teams clash in Jersey. But for now, the Rangers push the Devils to the brink of elimination and force their backs to the wall the same way the Blueshirts had been. This is going to be a dogfight and it’s going to be fun.