G65 New Jersey Devils vs. New York Rangers: A golden opportunity

The Devils draw the Rangers at a time where several key players are expected to be sidelined.

Follow along on Twitter @ToddCordell | @InfernalAccess

Be sure to join the Discord channel to talk hockey, and everything else, with our writers and subscribers.

---

A few notes to get you set for tonight’s rivalry game between the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers:

A golden opportunity

The Devils need every break they can get if they’re going to crawl back into the playoff race. It sure looks like they’ll be getting several against the Rangers.

Jacob Trouba is sidelined with an injury while Adam Fox is expected to miss this game due to illness. That takes away two members of the team’s top-4 defense, including a perennial Norris candidate – and Devils killer – in Fox.

The Rangers have been struggling defensively with everyone available. In fact, they sit 30th in xGA/60 and dead last in shot suppression over the last 10 games. Fox being taken out of the fray – or at least playing at well under 100% – is not going to help matters.

Neither is Igor Shesterkin getting the night off. The Rangers are opting to save Shesterkin for the Hurricanes – justifiably so – and that means the Devils will see Jonathan Quick.

Shesterkin was not at his best for the first chunk of the season while Quick was largely lights out. The roles have finally reversed, with Shesterkin now playing at an elite level and Quick coming back to earth.

In short, a Rangers team that has been bleeding shots and chances will likely be without its Norris winner, captain, and star netminder.

The stars are aligning for the Devils – who have posted very strong underlying metrics offensively – to really flex their muscles and get a result.

Found gold