2023 Playoffs: First Round, Game #6: New Jersey Devils vs New York Rangers Open Thread
After three consecutive losses to watch a 2-0 series lead turn into a 3-2 deficit, tonight could be the final game of the 2022-23 campaign for the Blueshirts. Having dropped Games 3 and 4 at Madison Square Garden earlier in the series, the Rangers will need to defend home ice in order to extend their season to a potential Game 7 on Monday.
The Blueshirts' inability to generate offense over the last three games has been the storyline. Devils' goaltender Akira Schmid has been good when needed, but the defense in front of him as made life easy for the rookie goaltender. After scoring four goals in the first two games, New York's power play has conceded more short handed goals against (1) than they've scored with the man advantage (0) over the previous three contests. The team has been inept offensively both on the power play and at five on five, and their poor showings have prompted line changes up front for the Rangers.
New Jersey Devils Lines:
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 Serverson
Akira Schmid
New York Rangers Lines:
Chris Kreider - Mika Zibanejad - Vladimir Tarasenko
Alexis Lafreniere - Vincent Trocheck - Patrick Kane
Artemiy Panarin - Filip Chytil - Kaapo Kakko
Jimmy Vesey - Barclay Goodrow - Tyler Motte
Ryan Lindgren - Adam Fox
K'Andre Miller - Jacob Trouba
Niko Mikkola - Braden Schneider
Igor Shesterkin
Player to Watch: Vladimir Tarasenko
Gerard Gallant's line changes have resulted in Tarasenko ascending to the top line for tonight's contest. After scoring New York's first goal in both of the first two games of the series, Tarasenko (along with the majority of the team) has gone quiet since then. A loss tonight would likely be Tarasenko's final game as a Ranger, as salary cap considerations are all but assured to prevent Tarasenko from returning next season. Keep an eye on New York's new first line winger as the team looks to stave off elimination tonight.
Enjoy the game!
