Stan Fischler On Rangers Cup Chances The climax of the season series between the New York Rangers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/game-day/matt-rempe-and-kurtis-macdermid-rangers-and-devils-brawl-two-seconds-into-first-period] and New Jersey Devils didn't need too long to marinate, before gloves were dropped and eight skaters were sent to the showers for the night. Yes, Matt Rempe and Kurtis MacDermid went at it -- as expected -- but who would have thought a throwback-melee would ensue? In total, eight skaters were tossed. Regardless, the teams both played with four defensemen the rest of the way, with the Rangers successfully earning another two points in the standings by defeating the Devils 4-3. Minutes after the initial fracas, Dawson Mercer and Will Cuylle dropped the gloves. After the smoke cleared, 9:22 into the first, Artemi Panaran scored his 45th goal of the season giving the Rangers a 1-0 lead. With less than two minutes to play in the first, Alexis Lafreniere scored his 26th goal of the season, from trade-deadline acquirees, Jack Roslovic and Alex Wennberg. In the second period the Devils showed signs of life. Then 2:11 in, Ondrej Palat got New Jersey on the board. Halfway through the middle frame, Devils defenseman, Brendan Smith tied the game at 2-2 with his fourth goal of the season. Jesper Brett recorded his 50th assist this season on the goal. Then the Devils took the first lead of the night, when Nico Hischier scored his 25th of the season off the stick of Bratt, who recorded his second assist of the night. In the third period, the Blueshirts struck first. Kaapo Kakko sniped a writer past Devils goalie, Kaapo Kahkonen to even the score a three apiece -- with 14:28 to play. Then after Smith went to the box for the Devils for hooking Roslovic, Chris Kreider took advantage, and scored his 26th of the season (107th career PPG), from Adam Fox and Panarin, giving the Rangers a 4-3 lead with only 4:57 to play. Despite pulling the goalie and applying serious pressure, the Rangers were able to stave off the Devils and captured their 105th and 106th points of the season, defeating the Devils 4-3.
