James Nichols
Think about this. The 2026 NHL Trade Deadline came and went and the New Jersey Devils (31-29-2) never even met with the New York Rangers (24-29-8).
That happened one day later.
Both Metropolitan clubs are in the midst of a disappointing season. The Rangers already waved their white flag, while the Devils—winners of three straight games—are desperately trying to salvage their season.
It took the Devils just over a minute to break the scoring open to take a 1-0 lead. Cody Glass retrieved a loose puck in the neutral zone and headed an attack toward the Ranger net. Glass fed Jesper Bratt for a one-time chance in the right circle and he beat Jonathan Quick to give New Jersey the first lead.
The Rangers responded just over five minutes later when Vincent Trocheck fed a trailing Will Borgen for a one-timer on a New York rush to tie the game at one.
New York then took the lead two minutes later when Vladislav Gavrikov’s shot from the blueline deflected off Johnathan Kovacevic while battling for net-front with Connor Sheary and past Jacob Markstrom to give the Rangers a 2-1 lead.
With under two minutes on the clock in the first period, Gavrikov was whistled for interference against Paul Cotter.
On the man advantage, Dawson Mercer redirected a Luke Hughes shot from the point, tying the game at two before the first intermission.
In the second, Trocheck’s slashing penalty on Brenden Dillon just expired, however, Jack Hughes‘ slapshot from the blueline beat Quick to give New Jersey back the lead at 3-2.
Yet, the Rangers quickly answered, tying the game at three, when Braden Schneider’s shot from the blueline was redirected by Will Cuylle.
Halfway through the final frame, the Devils went back to the man advantage after Cuylle hooked Timo Meier.
Nico Hischier restored the Devils lead, picking up a rebound created by Jesper Bratt, and scoring over Quick’s left shoulder, making it a 4-3 game.
Jack widened the gap after Connor Brown fed him for a breakaway, scoring on Quick. He then netted the empty-net goal to secure the hat-trick and down the Rangers 6-3 in regulation.
The Devils victory is their fourth in a row.
Jacob Markstrom made 16 saves on 19 shots and esrned his 19th win of the season.
