Rangers vs Devils: 3 things to watch for in Hudson River rivalry, final game before NHL holiday break
The New York Rangers look to head into the NHL holiday break on a positive note when they visit the New Jersey Devils on Monday afternoon at the Prudential Center. They’ll have to do so on less than 24 hours of rest from their previous game, a 3-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes at Madison Square Garden on Sunday.
The Rangers (16-16-1) were looking to win consecutive games for the first time in over a month after defeating the Dallas Stars 3-1 on Friday, and scored just 17 seconds into the game against Carolina on Sunday, thanks to a goal from Jimmy Vesey.
However, a mix of penalties and an overall poor second period allowed the Hurricanes to come back and win the game, leaving the Rangers with just four wins in their past 16 games (4-12-0). It’s tough to lose one game to a division rival, but now the Rangers will have to face another in the Devils with a short turnaround.
The Devils (22-11-3) lead the Metropolitan Division, and defeated the Rangers convincingly earlier this month, 5-1 on Dec. 2 at MSG. The Rangers find themselves in dire need of a win once again, and will look to do so by getting revenge on their Hudson River rivals.
Related: 3 Rangers takeaways after 3-1 loss to Metro Division rival Hurricanes
3 things to watch for when Rangers visit Devils
1. Head into holiday break on good note
While it was nice to get a win over Dallas on Friday, the Rangers need to turn one win into several. Earning one win for every three losses is going to leave New York on the outside of the playoff race looking in, and quickly. Unfortunately, that is the rate the Rangers have played at for weeks now. If there’s a game that can be used to turn things around, it’s this one.
“Another good team,” defenseman Adam Fox explained Sunday. “We had the start we wanted, and you’re going to need that against (New Jersey). If you give them any room, they’re going to make you pay. We’ve got to get right back on it and end on a good note before this break.”
Entering the holiday break with a big win over the best team in the division would be a great way to swing momentum in favor of the Rangers. They’ll get to enjoy their holiday, and won’t have to lament over the feeling of another loss for four days before their next game, which won’t be until Dec. 28 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
A win here allows the Rangers to reset their season on a positive note, and, hopefully, will allow them to come back from the holiday break ready to put together a string of wins against some solid teams. The Rangers should be leaving it all on the table on Monday.
2. Shut down Jack Hughes
If the Rangers want to earn a much-needed victory in Newark, they’ll have to shut down the Devils star forward Jack Hughes. That’s easier said than done. Hughes loves to play against the Rangers, and has a pretty good history against them.
In 21 career games against New York, Hughes has racked up 10 goals and 13 assists. Most recently, he scored two goals and an assist, contributing on three of the Devils five goals at MSG in the last meeting between the two teams. Hughes has had at least one point in each of his past 10 games against the Rangers.
If New York wants to get back at the Devils for the loss three weeks ago, they’ll have shut down Hughes.
3. Play a full 60
The Rangers came out of the gate firing against the Hurricanes. Not only did they score 17 seconds into the first period, but they kept that momentum going with chance after chance and speed on the rush. As MSG analyst Steve Valiquette said during the intermission report, “This is New York Rangers hockey.”
Then that spark seemed to go away. Whether it was the penalties that turned momentum in favor of the Hurricanes or just a better response from the visitors, the Rangers were not able to capitalize on a great first 10 minutes. They need to play a full 60 minutes if they want any chance of beating New Jersey on Monday.
New York Rangers projected lineup
Panarin – Trocheck – Lafreniere
Kreider – Chytil – Cuylle
Berard – Zibanejad – Smith
Edstrom – Carrick – Vesey
Lindgren – Fox
Schneider – Borgen
Vaakanainen – Ruhwedel
Quick
Shesterkin
Rangers vs Devils: When, where, what time, how to watch
Who: New York Rangers vs New Jersey Devils
When: Monday, Dec. 23 at 1:00 p.m. ET
Where: Prudential Center
How to watch: MSG, MSGSN
Click here for New York Rangers complete 2024-25 schedule and game results
More About:New York Rangers News
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