James Nichols
If nothing else, the New Jersey Devils at least had the opportunity at bragging rights against their rival at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday. However, the New York Rangers pulled out a win in the season finale between the Hudson River Rivals after the Devils let the sweep fall through their fingers.
The Devils actually started well, pressuring Igor Shesterkin with four shots eight minutes into the first period.
However, it was the Rangers who scored first—on their first shot of the game—when Connor Sheary’s shot from the point found the back of the net through traffic to give New York a 1-0 lead at 8:14 of the opening frame.
The Blueshirts kept the pressure on, and maintained puck possession in New Jersey’s end from then on.
Just over five minutes later, New York settled the puck in the Devils’ end and started the cycle. Adam Fox dished the puck from the point to Alexis Lafreniere on the far wall, and sent the puck to the crease with a slap-pass.
J.T. Miller—winning the net-front battle—redirected Lafreniere’s pass by Jacob Markstrom to double the Rangers lead to 2-0.
The Devils quickly went to the power play at the start of the second period after Gabe Perreault was whistled for tripping Dougie Hamilton 45 seconds in.
At the 51second mark of the second period and six seconds into the Devils’ first power play, Connor Brown cut the score in half to 2-1.
New Jersey’s pressure disapatted, however, and the Rangers regained control of the game.
At the 11:12 mark of the second period, Jaroslav Chmelar swatted a loose puck above Markstrom’s crease over the goal line and restored the Rangers mutli-goal lead, making it a 3-1 game.
Four minues into the third period, the Rangers widened the gap and took a 4-1 lead on the stick of Mika Zibanejad.
At the 9:24 mark of the third, Paul Cotter drove the crease to make a play and knocked Shesterkin down in his crease.
A scrum ensued—which included Shesterkin taking a run at Cotter for the physicality.
Markstrom made his way to the Rangers side of the ice where he and Shesterkin would drop the pads and fight.
The remainder of the third was low-event hockey, and the buzzer at MSG spelled loss for the Devils.
Markstrom suffered his 18th loss of the season, making 19 saves on 23 shots.
