G1 New Jersey Devils vs New York Rangers: Let the fun begin

On the importance of clean zone exits, Jack Hughes, and more to get you set for the series opener.

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A few notes to get you set for Game 1 between New Jersey and New York:

Clean exits are key

In football they say the best way to beat an elite pass rush is by getting the ball out quickly. If you move the ball quickly and accurately, the opposing defense doesn’t have time to get home and disrupt.

I think the Devils’ defense needs to play with that approach. It is no secret the Rangers are going to forecheck like crazy. They’re going to want to play a ‘heavy’ game to try and drag this inexperienced Devils team into the mud and take their insane speed away.

That’s why I think outlets are going to be extremely important in this game (and series). If the Devils move the puck quickly, and get out of their zone with possession, their speedy forwards can attack New York and exploit their iffy rush defense. But the Devils don’t just have to be fast; they have to be smart.

If they start firing pucks away, or make risky plays over the middle, they’re going to make it easy for New York’s high-end finishers to get pucks in good spots and strike fast. That’s what they want.

It really is this simple. If the Rangers forecheck wins out, they’re going to spend extended periods in the offensive zone and neutralize the Devils’ team speed and rush offense.

New Jersey isn’t just a rush team – they can generate offense in the cycle game – but they can’t get to the offensive zone if they don’t break out cleanly.

It’s Hughes’ time to shine

Jack Hughes is developing into a Rangers killer. He absolutely feasted on them in the regular season, generating six points, 27 chances, and 12 high-danger opportunities over just four games.

He has a great opportunity to pick up where he left off – and hit the ground running – tonight on home ice.

Lindy Ruff controls the matchups, which means it’ll be much easier for him to get Hughes away from the Ryan Lindgren - Adam Fox pairing than it will be in New York. That matters.

During the regular season, the Lindgren - Fox pairing only allowed 10.88 high-danger chances – and 1.88 goals – per 60 minutes of 5v5 play.

The 2nd pairing of K’Andre Miller and Jacob Trouba lagged well behind. That duo conceded nearly 13 high-danger chances – and 3.01 goals – per 60 minutes of 5v5 play.

Assuming Ruff makes the most of home ice, he should be able to get Hughes out more against the latter than the former.

I think it’s important 86 makes the most of those minutes; not just for the team’s sake, but for his.

Hughes wants to be the guy. If, for whatever reason, he struggles and can’t produce when playing more advantageous minutes at home, it could get into his head and have him really pressing – and frustrated – for when gets a steady dose of Adam Fox in Games 3 and 4. That would not be good, of course, so it is key Hughes gets off to a good start in this series.

Control your emotions

Many Devils players haven’t tasted postseason hockey in years. Some never have; at least at the NHL level.

The juices will no doubt be in overdrive tonight; especially on home ice against the biggest rival the Devils have.

That’s all well and good; but it’s imperative the team controls that energy. Refs like to set the tone early in series and sort of fade into the background as it progresses. We’re likely to see many more penalties called in Games 1 and 2 than 5 and 6, for example.

It is crucial the Devils make mental note of that and ensure they don’t get carried away. Refs will be looking for something or someone to make an example out of; don’t give them that.

Sometimes it’s hard to win a game early; it feels much easier to lose one. Parading to the box – be it by getting overzealous in scrums, overly aggressive with the stick, etc – is a good way to go about doing so against this Rangers team.

They are firing on all cylinders on the power play and have one of the league’s best goaltenders between the pipes.

If the Devils take a couple bad penalties early, and feed the Rangers a decent lead, it’s going to be extremely difficult to come back from.

Quick hits

• Erik Haula strikes me as somebody who is going to be very important during this playoff run. His forechecking and play off puck is terrific and he does such a good job of generating chances in the dirty areas of the ice. A lot of the time that's where you need to go to score in the playoffs - particularly against such a strong goaltender.

• As much of a buzz kill, if you will, as it is seeing Timo Meier penciled in on a 3rd line, I think it can be justified. That line has some real pop with Meier playing there and he should see a lot of the Schneider-Mikkola pairing, which allowed 3+ xGA and 14+ high-danger chances against per 60 during the regular season. He can exploit them.

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numbers via NaturalStatTrick.com