2023 Playoffs: First Round, Game #1: New York Rangers vs New Jersey Devils Open Thread
The regular season is in the rear view mirror. Only 16 teams are still alive in the chase for the greatest trophy in sports, and the Rangers are one of them. Having survived the 82 game marathon that is the regular season, the Blueshirts are set to begin the spring time sprint to a Stanley Cup, and that sprint will begin at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
The Rangers have drawn the New Jersey Devils as their opening round playoff opponent. New Jersey got the better of their Hudson River rivals during the season series, defeating New York three of the four meeting. Although the Blueshirts struggled with the speed and skill the Devils brought to the table throughout the season, Gerard Gallant's squad is hoping the change of scenery to the tighter checking environment of the playoffs will bring a change of fortune for them.
New York Rangers Lines:
Chris Kreider - Mika Zibanejad - Patrick Kane
Artemiy Panarin - Vincent Trocheck - Vladimir Tarasenko
Alexis Lafreniere - 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
New Jersey Devils Lines:
Tomas Tatar - Nico Hischier - Dawson Mercer
Ondrej Palat - Jack Hughes - Jesper Bratt
Timo Meier - Erik Haula - Yegor Sharangovich
Miles Wood - Michael McLeod - Nathan Bastian
Jonas Siegenthaler - Dougie Hamilton
Ryan Graves - John Marino
Kevin Bahl - Damon Serverson
Vitek Vanecek
Player to Watch: Patrick Kane
A three time Stanley Cup champion during his time with Chicago, Kane was brought in at the trade deadline to give the Blueshirts another layer of offensive firepower, specifically on the power play. Kane had a respectable showing after arriving from the Blackhawks, posting a 5-7-12 stat line in 19 games as a Ranger, with half of his points coming with the man advantage. Keep an eye on Kane as the Blueshirts look to steal home ice advantage with a road victory tonight.
Enjoy the game!
