The New York Rangers will look to make it three straight wins on Saturday as they clash with a Metropolitan foe, the New Jersey Devils. It feels like a must-win situation for the Blueshirts, with only seven games left in the season and a playoff spot up for grabs. If they want to pick up two points on Saturday, they’ll need big games from these three players.
Artemi Panarin
Team leader Artemi Panarin has been on fire lately, picking up seven points in his last three games (three goals and four assists). The offense runs through "The Breadman" and he truly will have to be impactful on Saturday for a team that has struggled against the Devils this season, scoring just four goals in three meetings.
In the Rangers' play against Minnesota, Panarin netted a breakaway goal and tallied two assists. He had a shoot-first mentality, rifling seven shots on goal. The team's most productive players were Panarin and his linemates Vincent Trocheck and Brennan Othmann. Their aggressive forechecking, takeaways, and offensive presence resulted in the group combining for four points, 10 shots on goal, a plus-six rating, and the overtime winner.
Artemi Panarin - New York Rangers (34) pic.twitter.com/nv8h87bpOt
— NHL Goal Videos (@NHLGoalVideos) April 3, 2025
If the Rangers want to inch closer to securing a playoff spot, they’ll need another performance like this from Panarin.
Adam Fox
Adam Fox didn’t look his best on Wednesday against the Wild. Playing nearly 24 minutes, Fox didn’t record a shot on goal, hit, or block. He had a -1 rating and a bad clearing attempt on the penalty kill that resulted in a Minnesota goal. Despite the poor play against the Wild, Fox has been key to the Rangers' playoff push. Since his return from injury, he has eight points,15 shots on goal, a +5 rating, and 16 blocked shots.
Fox will need a bounce-back game against a New Jersey team that has scored 12 goals in three games against the Rangers this season. Igor Shesterkin was left out to dry multiple times on Wednesday. This cannot happen again, and it starts with Fox in the defensive zone.
Mika Zibanejad
The Rangers’ power play is desperate and needs a spark. They are 1-26 on the man advantage in their last 10 games. They squandered several chances late in the Blueshirts' most recent game against the Wild, one being a 5-on-3.
If there is somebody who can get the PP unit going, it’s Mika Zibanejad. He has the second-most points on the power play with six goals and 12 assists. He is always a go-to option, especially when he sets up at the circle for a one-timer. Mika plays his best with the advantage, and Saturday will be a great time to get the power play back on track.
Rangers vs Devils
The Rangers will try to win their third straight game, something they have only accomplished twice this season. They won the previous matchup against the Devils 3-2 in OT but are down 2-1 in the season series. Puck drop will be 12:30 pm EST on Saturday, April 5, at the Prudential Center.