New York Rangers, Henrik Lundqvist
Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

It looked like the New York Rangers were going to steal one from the New Jersey Devils, but the home team was able to keep the pressure up on Henrik Lundqvist and come out on top.

  • New York Rangers: 3 (19-12-4, 42 points)
  • New Jersey Devils: 4 (20-9-5, 45 points)
  • NYR Goals: Jimmy Vesey (7), Nick Holden (2), Kevin Hayes (9)
  • NJD Goals: John Moore (4), Blake Coleman (5), Brian Boyle (9)
  • NHL, Final, Shootout, Boxscore
  • Prudential Center, Newark, NJ

The New Jersey Devils did everything possible to come out on top in this one. They put a barrage of shots on Henrik Lundqvist who kept the rival New York Rangers in it. But the Devils refused to get discouraged by the hot Lundqvist and keep on firing shots his way, coming out with the victory.

For the second game in a row, the Rangers left Henrik Lundqvist vulnerable, getting outshot 9-2 in the first 10 minutes. This time, however, Lundqvist wasn’t able to bail them out as New Jersey’s aggressiveness was giving the Rangers fits.

Off a Rangers turnover, John Moore, who was skating in his 400th career game, would capitalize on a brilliant pass from Nico Hischier and give the Devils the early 1-0 lead.

In the Rangers’ previous game against the Anaheim Ducks, their fourth line played a major role in them coming out victorious and they were at again in this one. This time it was Jimmy Vesey tying the game 2:33 after the Devils took the lead.

The Vesey goal gave the Rangers some life after a tough first half of the period. That energy was evident the rest of the first and resulted in another goal from Nick Holden to give the Blueshirts a 2-1 lead after one.

The Devils continued to put on the pressure in the second period, outshooting the Rangers 23-8. They managed to put up 38 shots throughout the first 40 minutes and really put Lundqvist to the test.

Lundqvist could only do so much as the Rangers continued to allow the Devils quality scoring chances. This time, it was Kevin Shattenkirk who turned the puck over in the neutral zone while on the powerplay. Blake Coleman would take that turnover and beat Lundqvist short-handed to tie the game at two.

Even after the goal, the Devils continued to come at Lundqvist and Lundqvist continued to shut them down.

https://twitter.com/Hayes_Hair13/status/944020346755342336

But the Rangers didn’t come out in the third discouraged after allowing the tying goal. They came out the better team and that translated to a goal from Kevin Hayes to put them up 3-2.

However, Brian Boyle would answer 10:00 later on the powerplay to force this game to go to overtime.

This one would require a shootout. Both teams had opportunities to put it away in overtime but could not convert as both Lundqvist and Corey Schneider were sharp. In the shootout, Lundqvist and Schneider continued to play well, stopping two of the first three shooters they faced. But the former Ranger Boyle beat Lundqvist in the fourth round to give the Devils the 4-3 victory.

For the Devils, they will be in action Saturday night when the Chicago Blackhawks come to the Rock. The Rangers will go home and face the Toronto Maple Leafs Saturday in the final game before the Christmas break.

Dominick is a graduate of Canisius College. He has covered the Rangers for the last seven seasons and the Yankees for the last four.