Game #76: New Jersey Devils vs New York Rangers Open Thread

The final installment of the the 2023-24 edition of the Hudson River Rivalry has arrived. The Blueshirts are set to host the New Jersey Devils as the hated rivals clash for the fourth and final time this season. Peter Laviolette’s squad will be looking for a season sweep of the Devils having already won the first three meetings. New Jersey’s already faint playoff hopes were dealt a critical blow last night as it fell to Pittsburgh by a 6-3 margin at home, so the Rangers will have an opportunity to hit their rivals with a knock out punch with a victory tonight.

Igor Shesterkin will get the start in goal, and a pair of lineup changes appear to be on the horizon. Erik Gustafsson shed his non-contact jersey for regular jersey at Tuesday’s practice, and he appears primed to draw back into the lineup while Zac Jones returns to the press box after an impressive run of play since stepping into the lineup. Will Cuylle was also out of the regular line rushes at practice, meaning he’ll likely sit as a healthy scratch.

Player to Watch: Matt Rempe

The big man is back in the lineup. Rempe will skate in Will Cuylle’s pace on the fourth line alongside Barclay Goodrow and Jimmy Vesey, and if Rempe’s two previous appearances against the Devils are a sign of things to come, there could be fireworks on the ice tonight. Rempe has been ejected from each of the last two meetings against the Devils, the latter of which resulted in a four game suspension for elbowing New Jersey’s Jonas Siegenthaler. Keep en eye on Rempe tonight to see if he’ll complete the ejection hat trick or if he’ll skate a full game against the Devils for the first time.

Enjoy the game!