2023-04-27 18:10:36
(3M) Rangers vs (2M) Devils
Eastern Conference First Round, Game 5
19h30 HE; ESPN 2, SN360, TVAS2, MSG, MSGSN
Series tied 2-2
NEWARK, N.J. – The New Jersey Devils will be looking for a third straight victory over the New York Rangers on Thursday in Game 5 of the first-round series at the Prudential Center.
The Devils defeated Rangers 3-1 in Game 4 at Madison Square Garden on Monday to tie the series. A setback that did not please New York head coach Gerard Gallant, who said he expected a better effort.
“This group needs to do more,” Gallant said. When your team plays well, it’s usually because of its stars. This is what is most important to us. We need 20 guys playing well and the right way. »
TO READ : Akira Schmid is obsessed with success | From minor hockey to Rangers, Trocheck and Vesey’s friendship lives on | Hischier shows why he is the heart and soul of the Devils
The Devils will want to keep the good habits they’ve developed on the road as they get back in front of their fans. They had escaped the first two games of the series at home by identical scores of 5-1.
“I think in the first two games we were a bit too excited and we wanted to do too much, which hurts your synchronization, explained the captain Nico Hischier. After four games we calmed down and the players started to play better. »
Here are three things to watch for in Game 5:
1. A power play to reignite
The Rangers were on the power play in the first two games of the series scoring four goals – all scored by Chris Kreider – in 10 occasions to take a 2-0 lead. They were, however, 0-for-8 and limited to 10 shots in the next two games.
“At this time of year, all the details matter,” said the Devils forward. Curtis Lazar, who averaged 1:31 shorthanded per game in the series. “You have to use your stick, be more aggressive when there is an opportunity to put pressure and make them lose the puck. They are going to have chances, so we have to be ready to react if that happens, know how to limit them and jump on the puck to send it to the end of the ice. »
2. Get to Schmid
The impact of the arrival of Akira Schmid, who took over from Vitek Vanecek as a starter for Game 3, was of legal age. Since then, he has stopped 57 of 59 shots aimed at him, including all 10 of New York on the power play.
The Rangers had 23 shots and attempted 50 in Game 4. But in the locker room, we feel that we have not really put the rookie goalkeeper to the test.
“We have deviated from our habits in the last two games; the ones that allow us to win our battles for the puck near the net and get closer to the cage, explained the defenseman K’Andre Miller. When our forwards are at their best, they do all those little things like get in front of the net, take up space and get out with the puck. We know what we have to do best to regain our level of play from the first two games. »
3. Neutralize the Rangers
The Devils will want to continue to frustrate Rangers in the neutral zone by blocking passing lines and making good use of the forecheck.
“We can probably do a better job of keeping them from setting up their forecheck in the neutral zone,” the New York forward said. Mika Zibanejad. They were successful in executing their plan, and we were unsuccessful in crossing the neutral zone. It’s a combination of both. We need to pay more attention to detail and help each other more. »
Devils head coach Lindy Ruff said, “It’s a tough job because they have good speed traders in Zibanejad, Kreider and [Filip Chytil]. You don’t want to get caught on your heels. I think our guys did a much better job and that’s one of the reasons why we limited their scoring chances. »
Planned formation of Rangers
Chris Kreider — Mika Zibanejad — Patrick Kane
Artemi Panarin — Vincent Trocheck — Vladimir Tarasenko
Alexis Lafreniere — Filip Chytil — Kaapo Kako
Jimmy Vesey — Barclay Goodrow — Tyler Motte
Ryan Lindgren — Adam Fox
K’Andre Miller — Jacob Oven
Niko Mikkola — Braden Schneider
Igor Shesterkin
Jaroslav Halak
Entrenched: Ben Harpur, Jonny Brodzinski, Jake Leschyshyn, Libor Hajek
Hurt: None
Devils planned roster
Timo Meier — Nico Hischier — Jesper Bratt
Erik Haula — Jack Hughes — Ondrej Palat
Tomas Tatar — Michael McLeod — Dawson Mercer
Jesper Boqvist — Curtis Lazar — Nathan Bastian
Jonas Siegenthaler — Dougie Hamilton
Ryan Graves — John Marino
Kevin Bahl — Damon Severson
Akira Schmid
Vitek Vanecek
Entrenched: Brendan Smith, Luke Hughes, Miles Wood, Yegor Sharangovich, Mackenzie Blackwood
Hurt: None
In the notebook
Severson should be able to play, he who did not practice Wednesday to undergo treatment. … Both teams should adopt the same formations as in Game 4.
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