Chris Kreider and the New York Rangers found the perfect time to get their power play rolling. Kreider scored two more power-play goals during a three-goal second period, leading the Rangers to a commanding 5-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night. With the win, the Rangers now hold a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.
The Rangers’ power play has been a game-changer in the series, converting 4 of 10 opportunities with Kreider tipping in all four goals. Meanwhile, the Devils have struggled, going 1 for 8 on the power play while surrendering key goals when defending against the Rangers’ man advantage.
“He’s one of the best I’ve ever seen at tipping pucks,” said Rangers forward Patrick Kane, who contributed a goal and two assists on Kreider’s goals. “In practice, we do drills where shots come from the point, and he tips everything.”
Vincent Trocheck added that the Devils are forced to pick their poison on defense with players like Kane, Mika Zibanejad, Adam Fox, Artemi Panarin, and Kreider on the ice.
“You can’t really leave any of those guys alone,” Trocheck said. “It’s a 5-on-4, and they’ve got to cover all of us.”
Vladimir Tarasenko and Kaapo Kakko also found the back of the net, while Adam Fox added two assists to bring his total to six in the series. Igor Shesterkin had a relatively comfortable night, stopping 21 shots.
“Their power play has been the difference,” Devils coach Lindy Ruff admitted.
Erik Haula scored the lone goal for New Jersey, which has been outscored 10-2 in the series after having success against the Rangers in the regular season. Devils goalie Vitek Vanecek made 26 saves, but the game turned one-sided in the later stages, leading to tempers flaring and several players being sent off in the final minutes.
With the series shifting to Madison Square Garden for Games 3 and 4 on Saturday and Monday, the Rangers are in control, though captain Jacob Trouba stressed that there’s still a long way to go.
Haula opened the scoring for the Devils with a rebound goal on a power play. However, the Rangers responded quickly in the second period, as Tarasenko tied the game 5:53 in with a shot from the top of the circles.
Kreider then took over, tipping in a slap shot from Kane to give the Rangers the lead. He added his second goal with a remarkable redirect of another Kane pass over Vanecek’s shoulder, stretching the lead to 3-1.
Kane added a breakaway goal early in the third period, and Kakko scored from close range shortly after a Devils penalty ended, sealing the win for the Rangers.
The Devils, who set franchise records for wins (52) and points (112) this season, now find themselves in a precarious position.
“This is what we worked for all year,” said Devils forward Timo Meier. “We’re staying positive but must make some corrections and win the next game.”
Young star Jack Hughes echoed that sentiment, acknowledging the frustration.
“They’re a good team, but we’re not playing to our standard,” Hughes said. “It’s biting us right now.”
Game Notes:
- For the first time since 1994, the year they won the Stanley Cup, the Rangers have won the first two games of a playoff series by four goals each.
- The Rangers did not change their lineup, while the Devils made adjustments, benching defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler and forward Jesper Boqvist in favor of veteran Brendan Smith and Yegor Sharangovich.
- Michael McLeod of the Devils and Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider engaged in a fight late in the game.
