New Jersey Devils defeat New York Rangers in Game 4 to tie series at 2-2.
NEW YORK -- The New Jersey Devils earned their second straight postseason win on April 24 defeating the New York Rangers by a final score of 3-1. Goaltender Akira Schmid made 22 saves on 23 shots while Jack Hughes, Jonas Siegenthaler, and Ondrej Palat found the back of the net. Vincent Trocheck scored the lone Rangers goal. Here are three takeaways from Monday night's game.
Siegenthaler's Big Night in the Big Apple
Defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler was the Devils' playoff hero on Monday night as he assisted on Hughes' first period goal and scored the game winner in the third period.
His play at both ends of the ice was impressive as Siegenthaler saved a goal before he sprung Hughes on a breakaway. His assist on the 21-year-old's third goal of the series would be his first career postseason point.
The game-winning goal was scored with a little over 11 minutes left in the final frame. The six-foot-two defenseman received the perfect cross ice pass from Hischier and snapped the puck past Igor Shesterkin
"I saw that little hole and just tried to jump in there," Siegenthaler said. "[Hischier] made the incredible play to me, and so I just tried to shoot it low blocker and it went in."
New Jersey's Penalty Killers Get It Done
"I don't want to say too much because I know how dangerous they are," Erik Haula said of the team's penalty kill, "We have to be happy with how we executed coming in here and we've definitely gotten better."
With regard to time on ice, John Marino, Ryan Graves, Haula, and Hischier led the way, but it was Nathan Bastian who was a standout while playing shorthanded. He spent a little over two minutes out on the penalty kill and hustled to clear pucks and battled along the walls.
Hughes Unfazed by Playoff Style Hockey
Hughes has been an intriguing player to watch this series. Even though it is the first postseason appearance of his young career, he seamlessly adjusted to playoff style hockey. Through four games he leads his team with 20 shots and three goals.
After the game, head coach Lindy Ruff was asked about Hughes rising to the occasion of the postseason.
"He's a fun player to watch, night in, night out he's doing special stuff," he said. "I think his play away from the puck tonight deserves a lot of credit too because he was up against some seasoned guys that he knew he had to be good defensively (against) and he really was."
Whether it's scoring goals, playing well defensively or adding a little more physicality to his game (he has three hits in four games) Hughes has been a difference maker for his team.
Quick Hits
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The Devils are scheduled to be off today, April 25. The series will return to Prudential Center for Game 5 on Thursday, April 27 at 7:30 P.M.