The Battle of the Hudson River rivalry did not disappoint. For the first time since 1994, these two teams played a decisive game seven. However, the results ended up being different. The New Jersey Devils defeated the New York Rangers in convincing fashion. They will move on to the second round. Here is what made this Devils vs Rangers series end the way it did.
Won one. Not done. pic.twitter.com/XWlMdckg2y
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) May 2, 2023
Devils vs Rangers Series Ends in Seven
Rangers Impact Players Silenced
One noticeable thing in the Devils vs Rangers series was the impact players being quiet. Aside from Jack Hughes, the Devils did not get any big-time goals from Nico Hischier, Timo Meier, and Jesper Bratt. However, they got timely contributions from guys like Erik Haula and Ondrej Palat. One thing that hurt the Rangers most in this series and their impact players being silenced.
Artemi Panarin finished the season second in goals and highest in points. In the playoffs, he had just two assists and zero goals. In addition, Mika Zibanejad scored just one goal and it took until Game Six to happen. To make matters worse, Chris Kreider led the team with six goals (four coming in the first three games). Given the way this series started, the Rangers got blanked the rest of the way. Only two players scored more than two goals for the team. Credit to the Devils defence for locking it down, but frustrating for a Rangers team with high expectations.
Lindy Ruff Adjustments Paid Dividends
Remember when the Devils fans started the “Fire Lindy” chants after an embarrassing start to the season? Well, those turned into “Sorry Lindy” very quickly. The start of this series had the same feel to it. On home ice, the Devils got embarrassed the first two games on the scoreboard. Vitek Vanecek got lit up like a Christmas tree and the team could not stay out of the penalty box. With the series headed to New York, many would think the series was over. However, he went on to make adjustments that paid dividends.
The Rangers had a 60% success rate on their power play. That success would not happen the rest of the way. New Jersey found ways to box out Chris Kreider from living in the crease like he was the first two games. The Devils penalty kill would remain res hot the rest of the way. New York went 1/15 the rest of the series.
However, it was the change in the net that paid the biggest dividends. No slight to Vanecek who had a great regular season, but the 22-year-old rookie went toe to toe with Igor Shesterkin.
Schmid Outduels Shesterkin
Trocheck with the shot, Schmid the glove save pic.twitter.com/GF9QhWtXsz
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) May 2, 2023
You can make the argument that Igor Shesterkin is the best goalie in the league. In addition, he was the best goalie in these playoffs. Despite that, Akira Schmid went toe to toe with him and outdueled him in this series. It would prove to be the difference.
Schmid became the first Devils rookie to win his first three playoff games. In addition, he is one of three goalies to record a playoff shutout for the Devils. His shutout in Game Seven was the second of the series for him. Schmid is the first goalie since Martin Brodeur to have a shutout in Game Seven for the franchise. The milestones for him are great, but so was his play.
Schmid smothered the Rangers the moment he got in the crease. He went on to stop 80 of 82 shots the first three games. New York finally was able to solve him in Game 6 but had no answers in Game Seven. Schkid finished the series with a 4-1 record, 1.38 GAA, and a .951 save percentage. He was right behind Shesterkin with 4.5 goals saved above expected. Shesterkin was also great in this series. He has a league lead in GSAX with 8.8 and finished the series with a 1.96 GAA, and a .931 save percentage. Without him, there is no telling if this series goes the distance as it did.
What’s Next?
The New Jersey Devils are headed on to round two. They will take on the Carolina Hurricanes with Game One being Wednesday night. As for the Rangers, they are headed for the offseason with many questions to answer.
Main Photo: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
