Who wins game five of the Devils/Rangers series?
Frank Seravalli was joined by Mike McKenna to discuss the New York Rangers’ series chances against the New Jersey Devils on the latest episode of Daily Faceoff Live.
Frank Seravalli: Let’s talk about the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers, the Hudson River rivalry. The Devils bounced back in a huge way, stealing both games at Madison Square Garden to draw even. Game five goes Thursday night in New Jersey, when you look at this series and really how the Rangers were put on blast by their head coach in Gerard Gallant. I saw what he said publicly and did not hold back. I can only imagine what he said privately.
Their best players clearly have not been good enough but I also think it’s more than that, a style and structure thing. We talked before the series with an open mic of the idea of these two teams playing a totally different styles of hockey. You saw in the first couple of games how the Rangers had their way, then the Devils certainly put their stamp on it as well. Who do you expect to emerge now in game five as being able to dictate that style and pace of play.
Mike McKenna: Well, for me especially with the 5-on-5 the Devils have just kicked the Rangers head in the last couple games. They possess, they’ve done everything with the puck they want to. And the Rangers can’t just rely on their power play, because you saw that the Devils were able to shut it down the past two games. No matter the fact that the Rangers had opportunities. And I think the Schmid factor is real for the Devils. I think the Rangers look at this big 6’5 goalie now and they go oh jeez.
They can’t just pump pucks into his feet, they’re missing their high shots they’re trying too hard. But they’re not getting out of their zone either, the Rangers aren’t Frank. So that’s not just on the Rangers forwards who aren’t producing, like Zibanejad, Panarin, who have zero goals, Lafreniere has zero points across the board. Adam Fox is the only guy that is moving this team out of their zone and honestly Gallant’s system is kind of loose in that way.
I do think the Devils have more structure with Schmid in goal that makes him dangerous. But guess what? The Rangers also have a goalie who hasn’t allowed more than two goals in a game yet this series Frank. This is a dogfight that’s bound to go seven if you ask me and I still think the Rangers get past them, I’ll put it that way. I think their power play wakes up but the Devils aren’t going away.
Frank Seravalli: I agree and I’m glad you brought up the point about Shesterkin because as well as the Devils have done drawing even, they still haven’t really scored enough, how do they get more past Shesterkin?
Mike McKenna: He’s like any goalie that you can’t let him see the puck clean. I know that you have to get into his eyes but no the key is getting lateral movement of the puck and the Devils have always been pretty good at that. If they get their rush game going it’s one thing but in-zone it’s gotta go across the middle of the ice so Shesterkin can’t get his feet set.
You can watch the rest of the episode here…