2023-05-02 03:43:00
SUMMARY
The New Jersey Devils have dominated the past two periods en route to a convincing 4-0 win over the New York Rangers on Monday in Game 7 of their first-round series.
New Jersey, which will face the Carolina Hurricanes next, was winning its first series since reaching the Stanley Cup Finals in 2012.
It was Michael McLeod who took charge of opening the scoring, in a situation of numerical inferiority, halfway through the second period.
McLeod, who scored just four goals in the regular season, took advantage of a superb forecheck effort from Ondrej Palat. The latter stole the puck from the Blueshirts, beating Chris Kreider and Adam Fox before serving a magnificent pass to his teammate.
“I’m impressed with how this group has grown, collectively, during this series,” acknowledged Palat, whose experience in tough times certainly showed in this ultimate encounter.
Six minutes after McLeod’s net, New Jersey added to their lead, as Tomas Tatar benefited from a fine foray from defenseman John Marino.
Without a point in the first six games, Tatar took up position in front of the New Yorkers’ net, and Marino skillfully spotted him. The Slovakian winger’s shot slipped over Igor Shesterkin’s pad.
Meanwhile, in the other net, rookie Akira Schmid displayed an unusual calm for such an inexperienced goalkeeper.
Schmid made key saves at the expense of Mika Zibanejad, Alexis Lafrenière and Vincent Trocheck, among others.
New York’s quintessential playmaker Artemi Panarin ended his season on a miserable streak as he was unable to put his name on the scoresheet for a sixth straight game.
Rangers fired 31 shots at Schmid’s net, while the hosts had 23 shots on Shesterkin.
In the third period, Timo Meier took a hard hit from Jacob Trouba in Rangers territory. The Devils forward retreated to the locker room with the help of the trainer, but was back with his teammates for the end-of-series celebrations.
Unable to generate consistent pressure in the offensive zone, the Rangers saw the Devils deal the killing blow when Erik Haula fired a one-timer into the top corner, on a two-on-one run with Jack Hughes.
“We looked like a completely different team than our two losses to start the series,” said captain Nico Hischier, who picked up his fifth assist of the series.
“Tonight we created moments together that will stay with us,” added the Swiss center.
Jesper Bratt then scored in an abandoned goal, with 3:19 remaining in the matchup. It was the Swedish striker’s first goal in this series.
Lack of opportunism in the 1st twenty
The Metropolitan Division rivals were tied 0-0 after 20 minutes.
Ironically, despite three power plays given to the Rangers, some of the best scoring opportunities of the first period belonged to the Devils.
Hischier, along with Hughes, both threatened to break the ice as their team struggled one man short.
“Some people might say: ‘Oh, they lack experience‘… But on our side, it’s just our reality. We just play and give our best,” commented Hughes after the win.
Head coach Lindy Ruff was unable to provide a medical update on Meier’s condition, just over an hour after he was hit hard.
“From what I saw, there was head contact. But I will have to see the images again,” he limited himself to saying.
Ruff believed Game 7 was decided, among other things, by the level of quickness displayed by his Devils.
“Our game is built around our speed. I thought it was pretty obvious (tonight),” he summed up.
The Rangers found themselves in Game 7 for the third time in four series.
It’s a disappointing step back for Gerard Gallant’s men, who came within two wins of reaching the Grand Finals last year before losing in six games to the Tampa Bay Lightning. .
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