Devils Shut Out Rangers in Rivalry Matchup, Highlighting New York’s Struggles
The New York Rangers were embarrassed by long-time rivals New Jersey Devils, who delivered a dominant 5-0 victory on Monday afternoon at Prudential Center. The Devils further solidified their position at the top of the Metropolitan Division, while the Rangers fell closer to the bottom. Jack Hughes led the Devils’ offense with two goals and an assist, while Jacob Markstrom earned his second shutout of the season. For the Rangers, the game marked yet another low point in a season full of challenges, as they’ve now lost 13 of their last 17 games.
The Devils, who had won four of their previous five games, controlled the pace from start to finish. Hughes set the tone early with a goal at 4:29 of the first period, as his shot deflected past Rangers goaltender Jonathan Quick. Hughes, who has been particularly impressive, extended his point streak against the Rangers to 11 games. New Jersey’s power play capitalized on two too-many-men penalties by the Rangers in the second period, further extending their lead. Contributions from Timo Meier, Stefan Noesen, and Dawson Mercer rounded out the Devils’ scoring.
Meanwhile, the Rangers’ struggles were evident across the board. Sloppy passing, poor defensive positioning, and a lack of offensive spark left them unable to match New Jersey’s game plan. They had a season-low 12 shots on goal, with their star forwards, including Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, and Vincent Trocheck, failing to generate meaningful scoring opportunities. Veteran forward Chris Kreider was a surprisingly healthy scratch, removing an offensive threat from the lineup. In the net, Jonathan Quick did his best to keep the game within reach, making 25 saves, but he was left with minimal help by an underperforming defense that has struggled throughout December.
Recent roster moves by General Manager Chris Drury, including trading captain Jacob Trouba to Anaheim and Kaapo Kakko to Seattle, have yet to show positive results. Although new acquisitions like Will Borgen are still adjusting, the team continues to struggle with a lack of chemistry, as shown by their 4-11-0 record over their last 15 games. This distressing record has left the Rangers sitting outside the playoff picture with a record of 16-17-1. However, the Devils showcased why they’ve been one of the league’s most consistent teams in recent weeks, limiting opponents to 20 shots or fewer in seven straight contests.
As the NHL enters its holiday break, the Rangers face an uphill battle to turn their season around. Their next game, a Saturday matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning, provides an opportunity to regroup. Meanwhile, the Devils will look to maintain their momentum when they host the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday night. The Rangers must focus on improving their overall performance and finding consistency to try and salvage their 2024-2025 season.
