This New York Rangers vs New Jersey Devils series has been a tale of two tapes. The Battle of the Hudson is a much-anticipated series and one to watch for. For the first time since 2012, these two teams get to square off in the playoffs. It’s great for hockey and those fan based. A veteran team destined to win it all taking on a young team that defied all expectations. With the Devils having home ice to start, it did them no favours. In fact, the Rangers took over their barn in a convincing fashion. As it began to shift to Madison Square Garden, the momentum came to a halt. The Rangers currently lead the series 2-1. We’ve hit the midway point in the series, so let’s take a look at the Rangers vs Devils series trends.
Rangers vs Devils Series Trends
If you are the New Jersey Devils, this is ideally not the start you’ve imagined. After showing they can keep up with the Rangers in the regular season, that has not been the case. New York stormed through Prudential Center, winning both games and have the home-ice advantage now. After Game 3, the Rangers now lead the series 2-1 thanks to Dougie Hamilton being the hero. Through three games, this series has trends that have carried its way through the three games.
Special Teams Play
CHRIS KREIDER PERFECTION. pic.twitter.com/Ryze8qH0Nc
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) April 21, 2023
Throughout the regular season, special teams has been good for both teams. The Devils had the 13th-best PP unit and the 4th-best penalty kill. In addition, the Rangers had the 7th-best PP unit and the 13th-best penalty kill. You can say the units are evenly matched when going head to head. However, it is the Rangers who have prevailed in winning the special teams battle.
At certain parts of the game, it has been a momentum swing. The power play has been lethal for the Rangers. So far through three games, the team is 4/15 on the Powerplay. The club was 60% through the first two games, but the Devils penalty kill made changes.
Chris Kreider has scored all four goals and has set up shop in front of the Devils crease. Aside from the goals, the Rangers are having their way with the Devils penalty kill unit. They sustain pressure in the offensive zone and generate chances (3.59 xGoals For). New York has 20 shots on goal and six from the high-danger area. In addition, all four goals are from that area of the ice. The Devils have no answer for Chris Kreider or the unit itself.
The Devils penalty kill has been bad, but so has their power play. In Game One, they did not muster a shot on goal. The Devils are 2/11 on the power play and have a measly 1.33 Expected Goals For. They have just two shots from the high-danger area and just six on net.
Special teams can be a weapon in the playoffs, but it has not been the weapon for the Devils.
The Rangers Top Guys vs The Devils Top Guys
One Rangers vs Devils series trend involves the top guys. Both General managers made big splashes at the trade deadline to make a serious push in the playoffs. Through the series’ first three games, the top guys for one team have shined brightly, whereas the other team has not.
New Jersey
This is the time of the year you want your best players to be your best players. Look away Devils fans it has been ugly for the most part. The team itself has scored only four goals, one coming at 5v5. Jack Hughes is the only big-time player to score a goal (penalty shot and power play). The only other goal came from Erik Haula, and as mentioned above Hamilton in overtime to win Game 3. The list of notable impact players have all been held pointless:
This is not what you envisioned, especially for the Devils. The results have not been there despite generating their chances and having food looks. Jesper Bratt grabbed an assist on the Hamilton goal, but it’s been quiet for most of the series. A guy like Timo Meier was brought in for this reason and he is silenced. Credit to the Rangers defence limiting the potent Devils offence. If the Devils want a fighting chance in this series, those guys above need to get going and going fast.
New York
VINTAGE. SHOWTIME. pic.twitter.com/EgB2i774yL
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) April 21, 2023
The same can’t be said for New York. This team has the big guys showing out and brightly. As mentioned above Kreider has five goals, but here is what the rest of the key guys are doing:
- Vladimir Tarasenko: two goals (both first goals of the game in one and two)
- Patrick Kane: one goal, two assists (both primary)
- Artemi Panarin: two assists
- Filip Chytil: one goal, two assists
- Mika Zibanejad: two assists
The contributions are all over the place. Not to mention Kaapo Kakko and Ryan Lindgren have also found the score sheet. However, there’s one Ranger that has stood out from the rest and in historic fashion.
Adam Fox
Adam Fox is the sixth defenseman in NHL history with six points through his first two games in a playoff year, joining Gary Suter in 1988, John Carlson in 2018, Al MacInnis in 1999, Bobby Orr in 1971 and Pierre Pilote in 1964.
— NY Rangers PR (@NYR_PR) April 21, 2023
One player that has really turned things on is Adam Fox. Fox had four assists in the first game and added two more in the second. He joins an elite group with six points in two straight playoff games. In addition, he becomes the second Rangers defenseman in team history to have five plus points in his first two playoff contests. But there is more than meets the eye than his playmaking ability.
Fox has the best Corsi For among defensemen on the team (46.51%). At 5v5 he has been on the ice for four goals and has a 2.21 xGF%. His defensive play is more than stellar as he has a 2.16 xGA. Good things are happening when he is on the ice in both ends of the ice. Fox should challenge for the Norris Trophy this year and has far and away been the teams best player.
The Goaltending
One notable Rangers vs Devils series trend is the play between the pipes. Given how the series has gone, there is a notable difference. It is a tall task going head-to-head with Igor Shesterkin. In addition, Vanecek has not lived up to the task. In his first two games, he has posted a goals saved above expected of -0.99 and -1.33. Simply put, those are not very good at all. He has given up ten goals total and has been lit up like a Christmas tree.
In addition, Vanecek has a .827 save percentage, 4.52 goals against average, and a .500 high-danger save percentage. Vanecek went on to sit out for Game 3 as New Jersey went with Akira Schmid in net. A gamble by Lindy Ruff that paid off. Schmid was incredible in Game 3 going toe to toe with Shesterkin. He finished the game with 2.35 goals saved above expected. It remains to be seen if he starts Game 4, but what a showing for your first playoff start.
After monstrous postseason last year, Shesterkin has been stellar for New York. He had allowed four goals so far this series. Shesterkin has been a rock in net posting a 1.09, 1.33, and 0.82 goals saved above expected in his starts. In addition, he has a rock solid .950 save percentage and a .923 high-danger save percentage. Shesterkin leads all playoff goaltenders in GSAX with 3.7. He has been everything you could ask for as a rock in net. For the series to sway in the Devils favour, not only will they need to solve him but outduel him.
Game Four Is Monday Night at 7:00 PM as the series continues.
