The regular season has concluded and the Stanley Cup Playoffs are underway. After the Carolina Hurricanes won their final game and won the division, the matchups became clear. A first-round date seeing the New Jersey Devils vs New York Rangers is set.
This is the first time since 2012 that these teams have met in playoff action. It is a much-anticipated series and will make for great playoff hockey. New Jersey took the regular season series 3-0-1. In addition, every team that had a two-goal lead early in the game, lost the game. Regular season success does not always translate, but it is something to note. The Battle Of The Hudson takes on a new chapter, in must-watch hockey.
New York Rangers vs New Jersey Devils First-Round Preview
Experience vs Inexperience
When it comes to their regular season stats, these two clubs are evenly matched up. However, that was the regular season and the restart button is pressed. This has been an ongoing topic as the playoffs have drawn close. The New Jersey Devils enter this round with very little experience.
This will be the first taste of playoff action and meaningful playoff games for a large portion of the team. Aside from Dougie Hamilton and John Marino who have experience with other clubs, only Jesper Bratt and Nico Hischier have one round under their belts. In addition, signing Ondrej Palat is a bonus when it comes to playoff hockey. To a slight degree, playoff experience matters and knowing what it takes to play in the playoffs.
Coming in is a Rangers team with loads of experience. The same scenario applied last year as a large chunk of the Rangers team last year had little playoff experience. However, that team went to the Eastern Conference Finals and went toe to toe with Tampa Bay. That same roster is coming back. In addition, they added Vincent Trocheck, while acquiring Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane at the trade deadline. Those three all have prior experience and four Stanley Cups combined. Their youth is a year older and wiser and has that playoff experience under their belts. It will be something to watch for as the series goes on.
The Men Between The Pipes
The biggest x-factor heading into this series is between the pipes. As mentioned above the teams match up evenly based on their finishing statistics, but goaltending is going to be the difference. In the new chapter of New Jersey Devils vs New York Rangers, it will be Vitek Vanecek against Igor Shesterkin. Shesterkin posted a .916 save percentage with a 2.48 goals-against average this season. Vanecek had a .911 and 2.45, respectively.
When it came down to this regular season, both goaltenders had very similar statistics. Both came up large for their hockey teams and a large reason they finished where they did in the standings. However, there is one staggering difference. Shesterkin finishes fifth in goals saved above expected (28.1) whereas Vanecek finished with 5.1. Still very good if you are Vanecek, but Shesterkin is on another level. In addition, Shesterkin finished the season with a .742 high-danger save percentage compared to the .670 Vanecek posted.
As everyone saw last year, Shesterkin was great for the Rangers last playoffs. He finished with a 2.59 GAA and a .929 save percentage. His league lead in GSAX with 18.6 separated him from the pack. All eyes will be on Vanecek. He had playoff experience last year as well, but got pulled from the game on two occasions. In addition, his -3.1 GSAX was the fifth worst among all goalies that played in the playoffs. Vanecek did go 3-0-1 against the Rangers this season and will look to carry that success into round one. Overall though, the edge in net belongs to the Rangers.
The Devils Speed vs The Rangers Physicality
One thing to watch for with the New Jersey Devils vs New York Rangers is their style of play. New Jersey plays a game with great speed and loves generating their chances off the rush. They are a much smaller team than the Rangers and use their speed to their advantage. It will be interesting to see how the Rangers neutralize that speed, but their physical play could wear the Devils down.
The Rangers are a much more physical team than the Devils. They have 1,978 hits on the year which is 600 more than the Devils. Adding Timo Meier gives the Devils that physical element, but nine players on the Rangers have 100+ hits. Their physical game is led by captain Jacob Trouba (218 hits). He is not shy about throwing the body and gives Devils fans flashbacks of Scott Stevens. It will be really fun to watch these two styles go head to head.
Series Prediction
The New Jersey Devils enter the series having a historic season. However, despite the historic season, that all resets and the playoffs are a different animal. Given the experience and the edge between the pipes, the New York Rangers will prevail and move on to the next round.
The Devils may have home ice advantage, but when it comes to Prudential Center plenty of blue sweaters flood the place. The atmosphere should be great along with the action. It will not come easy and will be challenging, but the Broadway Blueshirts defeat the Devils.
Prediction: Rangers defeat Devils In Six Games
Main Photo: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
