The New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils faced off for the first time since last year's incredible first-round playoff series.
NEW YORK, NY -- The New York Rangers fell short to their Hudson River rival, the New Jersey Devils, by the score of 3-2.
Both teams had what could possibly be their projected first lines playing in this contest. Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad and Alexis Lafreniere for the Rangers and for the New Jersey Devils it was Tyler Toffoli (their big summer acquisition), Jack Hughes, and Jesper Bratt.
LINEUP:
Kreider-Zibanejad-Lafrenière
Cuylle-Brodzinski-Kakko
Othmann-Bonino-Wheeler
Blidh-Henriksson-Belzile
Miller-Fox
Gustafsson-Schneider
Jones-Emberson
Shesterkin
Domingue
1ST PERIOD:
The first few minutes didn't have much action compared to the Rangers most recent game against the New York Islanders. In the opening three minutes, the Rangers looked incredibly sloppy, especially in their own zone. It was all Devils for a majority of the first ten minutes.
The Rangers had some quality chances, most notably from Alex Belzile, who was stoned by Akira Schmid and Blake Wheeler had a great look, but looked for a backdoor pass rather than shooting. You'd hope that when the games matter he'd shoot that puck.
Tyler Toffoli was the only player to find the back of the net in the opening frame, in very cheeky fashion at the 18:50 mark of the period.
Igor Shesterkin would quickly redeem himself as he made an incredible save on the Devils Simon Nemec.
Aside from Shesterkin, Erik Gustafsson was the most solid player for the Rangers in the first period.
Coach Laviolette was not a fan of how the team played in the first. His exact thoughts were "coming out of the gate we were a little bit slow. Didn't have the pop, didn't seem comfortable with the puck. More reacting than anything else. First period I don't think was real crisp."
2ND PERIOD:
The Rangers looked like a much different team at the start of the second period, they finally had found their legs. Especially Jonny Brodzinski, who had a little extra pep in his step. Brodzinski had a couple of strong chances himself, but also set up Will Cuylle for a great opportunity on an odd man rush, that Cuylle unfortunately rang off the iron.
Gustafsson is a guy that continued to impress throughout the game. Surely, it helps that he played 61 games for Laviolette in Washington D.C. last season, but this guy is a player. His confidence would continue to grow after getting the Rangers on the board at the 9:47 mark of the middle frame. Gustafsson was the beneficiary of the a great zone entry by the Rangers, Braden Schneider found Gustafsson in open ice, leading to a rip, high-blocker over the shoulder of Erik Kallgren to tie the game at 1-1.
Zac Jones had a pretty strong showing in the second period. He and Gustafsson are in a battle for the left side on the Rangers third pair of blue-liners. Jones made some things happen and had a semi-breakaway of his own, but wasn't able to beat Kallgren. It was nice to see Lafreniere mix it up a bit after the whistle with Simon Nemec of the Devils. The score would remain 1-1 after the first 40 minutes.
Laviolette was much happier with the way his team showed up for the second period. He went on to say "I really liked the second period. I thought we played a much better brand of hockey, tightened things up a little bit defensively."
3RD PERIOD:
The Devils wasted no time taking the lead in the third period. At 4-on-4 play, Kevin Bahl made a slick little backhand saucer pass to a streaking Jesper Bratt who was able to beat Louis Domingue to the blocker side.
The Rangers couldn't get much going offensively in the final period, especially on the power play, which didn't generate much all night. It was interesting to see K'Andre Miller quarter back the second unit, but that spot could end up going to Gustafsson at some point.
The power play has yet to score a goal in the preseason on 10 attempts.
Like Steven Pappas said, it means nothing, but still, it would be nice to see one go in.
Brodzinski's strong efforts continued to stand out as the game went on as well. He had some good looks in the third period, but couldn't find a way to bury one. He led all skaters with 5 shots on goal.
Brennan Othmann was able to find one in the final few seconds of the third period to get his first of the preseason, which must have felt good, but it was too little too late for the group.
Laviolette's thoughts on the third period weren't as positive as the second. He explained it by saying "The third [period] we're chasing a little bit. There was a couple of chances I didn't like coming against, but guys continued to push through the game, trying to tie it up, trying to get back to even."
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Gustafsson continues to impress and look comfortable. I asked Laviolette about his comfort level, to which he said "I think Gus has played well in the games he's played in, he's looked good in scrimmages. He had some nice plays out there tonight as well, he's a skater, he's a puck-mover, he's constantly looking to jump and create."
- Jones had a strong game as well. Laviolette spoke more about Jones after the game, saying "I thought he was good, I thought that pair actually played really well [Jones & Ty Emberson]. They're both fighting to make a good impression and I thought they both did that tonight."
- Kakko & Lafreniere weren't as noticeable as they have previously been in the preseason, but I wouldn't say they played poorly, just weren't as effective.
- Brodzinski was all over the ice and continues to give himself a chance to make the opening night roster. Laviolette said Brodzinski's line was very effective "buzzing in the offensive zone."
- Fox & Miller looked solid together, but don't see that pairing sticking together.
- Othmann & Cuylle were solid, Laviolette was pleased with their efforts. He said "I thought that they were both pretty strong with their game. I noticed them quite a bit. Othmann had good jump, he had some scoring chances. Cuylle, I thought he got better as the game went on."