PHR Playoff Primer: New Jersey Devils vs. New York Rangers
With the start of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs just a few days away, PHR makes its first foray into playoff series analysis with our 2023 Playoff Primers. Where does each team stand in their series, and what storylines could dominate on and off the ice? We begin our look with the Metropolitan Division matchup between the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers.
There was a time in the 1990’s where it seemed like the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils would meet in the playoffs every spring. Now in 2023, they meet in the playoffs for the first time in 11 years. The last time the two teams met it was a dramatic back and forth six game Eastern Conference Finals series that ended with an Adam Henrique overtime goal to catapult the Devils into the Stanley Cup Finals.
What a difference a decade plus makes. The Devils haven’t won a series since that dramatic overtime victory, while the Rangers have won a lot of playoff hockey but haven’t been able to capture hockey’s ultimate prize. The battle of the Hudson River has always been a bitter rivalry, but it’s been a while since so much has been on the line for both teams.
The Devils and Rangers enter the playoffs poised to make a deep run, but only one will be able to escape the first round. This matchup may not be the most anticipated series in the first round, but it does seem like the series most likely to produce fireworks. The Devils believe they are destined for greatness, and they probably are, but will that happen this year, or will the Rangers make another deep playoff run?
Regular Season Performance
New Jersey Devils: 52-22-8, 112 points, +65 goal differential
New York Rangers: 47-22-13, 107 points, +58 goal differential.
Head-To-Head
November 28, 2022: New York 3, New Jersey 5
December 12, 2022: New York 4, New Jersey 3 (OT)
January 7, 2023: New Jersey 4, New York 3 (OT)
March 30, 2023: New Jersey 2, New York 1
New Jersey takes the season series 3-0-1
Team Storylines
The Devils and Rangers franchises have had so much in common over the years, and even still do to some degree. Both franchises loaded up for these playoffs, can score in bunches and expect to go deep in the playoffs. But that is where the similarities end. They are built differently, have different experience, and have different strengths and weaknesses.
New Jersey plays with a ton of speed and skill, they push the pace and come at you in waves. But they are small. New York on the other hand plays big, they come at you with force and can crash over top of you. But they play slow in comparison. In a seven-game series it’s hard to predict who will bend first, will New York wear New Jersey down with their physicality? Or will the Devils tire out the Rangers with their pace? Advantage New Jersey.
On the backend, both teams boast strong blue lines. They both have shutdown defenseman, puck movers, point producers, speed, skill, and grit. The Rangers defense can do it all, they are one of the most elite units in the league, if not the most elite. They can’t move the puck quite as good as the Devils unit can, but they are much more physical. And in the playoff’s physicality can sometimes mean getting that extra inch of space to make a play, or providing that big hit that completely changes a series, just ask Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Advantage New York.
In goal, the comparisons dry up. New York boasts arguably the best goaltender in the world in Igor Shesterkin. But, after having a historic season last year, Shesterkin has looked human for much of this year. He has been up and down, evidenced by his drop in save percentage from .935 last year to .916 this season. For the Rangers to beat the Devils in a seven-game series, Shesterkin will need to play at a Vezina award winning level. Over in the Devils net Vitek Vanecek has given the Devils something they were desperately looking for, league average goaltending. Vanecek’s save percentage this year was .911 which was just a tick above his career average coming into this season. While Vanecek has never had an experience like this before and will have to deal with nerves, Shesterkin looked very human in last year’s playoffs and for long stretches of this past regular season. Despite his up and down play this year, one would have to believe that the goaltending advantage belongs to New York.
I mentioned star power earlier and both teams boast a ton of it up front and on the back end. The stars aren’t all home grown either, both teams have made significant trades over the last 12 months to bring in major pieces that they hope can give them that final push. The Rangers brought in Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko at the trade deadline, and while neither player his lit up the scoresheet, they have both provided secondary scoring. Kane has produced 12 points in 19 games since joining the Rangers, while Tarasenko has 21 points in 31 games. On the Devils side, they acquired arguably the biggest piece at the deadline in Timo Meier. Meier has also struggled to fit in but seems to be finally finding his footing. The former San Jose Shark has 14 points in 21 games since joining the Devils.
Ironically, the line that could set these teams apart might be a group of homegrown talent for the New York Rangers. Alexis Lafrenière, Filip Chytil, and Kaapo Kakko were dynamite together in the playoffs last season, particularly in the first round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins. They were a difference maker on a nightly basis. This season all three players have hovered around the 40-point mark during the regular season. If the trio can dial it back to 2022 and produce anything close to last year’s playoff magic it could be the difference between a Rangers series win, or a Devils series win.
Prediction
It’s hard to predict who will win a series when the teams are this evenly matched. When a matchup like this does occur, you must imagine that it will come down to whichever team can get their goaltender on a heater. Last year the Rangers outlasted Pittsburgh because the Penguins had to rely on their third string goaltender. This year they’ll have to hope that Shesterkin can return to his Vezina winning form to get past the Devils.
The other element that comes into play is experience. New York has a ton of experienced playoff performers, and the Devils are green. In a toss-up, this could be the piece that pushes one team past the other.
The prediction: Rangers win in seven games.
Devils Recall Akira Schmid
Tom Gulitti, a reporter for the NHL, announces that the New Jersey Devils have recalled goaltender Akira Schmid from their AHL affiliate Utica Comets. In preparation for tonight’s game, Amanda Stein, the lead reporter for the Devils, announces that Schmid will backup for Mackenzie Blackwood.
In order to give regular starting netminder, Vitek Vanecek, some rest before the Devils begin their playoff run, the choice was made to recall Schmid for the final game of the regular season. It was the best possible situation for the Devils organization, as the Comets will look to keep their season alive tomorrow night against the Cleveland Monsters, a game they should be able to have Schmid in the net for.
Last season, Schmid had an underwhelming season in the NHL, playing six games, the young goaltender posted a record of 0-4-0, holding a SV% of .833 and a GAA of 4.83. Understandably, it should be remembered that Schmid was not operating with this year’s much-improved Devils’ lineup. Although playing much better for New Jersey this season, Schmid has played a majority of this year in Utica once again.
Drafted 136th overall in the 2018 NHL Draft by New Jersey, Schmid has become a prime candidate to become the new full-time backup for the Devils next year. Vanecek is signed beyond next season, and although Blackwood is only a restricted free agent at the conclusion of this year, his injury history in the last several seasons may give the Devils a reason to go another direction between the pipes.
Two Players Return For The Devils
Erik Haula and Curtis Lazar will both be available for tomorrow’s game for the New Jersey Devils according to Amanda Stein, the team’s lead reporter. Furthermore, she adds that forward Michael McLeod will not be available yet, but head coach Lindy Ruff is hoping he will practice with the team soon.
Haula has not played for the Devils since their April 6th win against the Columbus Blue Jackets, but will now be available for New Jersey come playoff time. Since being acquired from the Boston Bruins this past offseason, Haula has chipped in nicely for the Devils, scoring 12 goals and 27 assists so far this year. That is a pretty typical year for Haula, as he has become one of the most dependable players in the NHL over the course of his decade-long career.
Lazar, who was acquired from the Vancouver Canucks at the trade deadline, has only managed three games in New Jersey, getting injured on their March 18th game against the Florida Panthers. Being out for almost a month, it is unclear whether or not Lazar will be a part of the Devils’ regular playoff lineup. In 48 games so far this year, a majority of which in Vancouver, Lazar has three goals and two assists.
Similar to Haula, McLeod has been out of the Devils’ lineup for a little under a week. The young forward is continuing to progress throughout his short career, setting a new career-high in points this year with 26. Originally drafted 12th overall by New Jersey in the 2016 NHL Draft, McLeod has yet to break out into the league in accordance with his draft selection. Although he is not a world-breaker when it comes to scoring, he has become one of the Devils’ most physical forwards, throwing over 120 hits the last two seasons.
Erik Haula Misses First Game Of Season
- Erik Haula is not in the New Jersey Devils lineup tonight according to Amanda Stein, the lead reporter for the team. Haula has played all 79 games for the Devils before tonight’s contest, but has taken consecutive maintenance days at practice leading up to today. With the playoffs just around the corner, it will be worth keeping an eye on Haula’s status in the coming days to see if he can get back in the lineup before the postseason.
Luke Hughes To Make NHL Debut This Week
- Luke Hughes, recently signed to an entry-level contract by the New Jersey Devils, will get some game action soon according to General Manager Tom Fitzgerald (twitter link). Hughes was drafted by the Devils fourth overall in the 2021 NHL Draft and just finished his second college season. The 19-year-old defenseman scored ten goals and 48 points in 39 games this season and will likely make his NHL debut in the coming days.
Luke Hughes Signs With New Jersey Devils
Saturday: As expected, the contract is now official with the Devils announcing that Hughes has signed his entry-level deal. The contract will begin this season. CapFriendly reports the deal will carry an AAV of $1.85MM with bonuses and breaks down as follows:
2022-23: $925K base salary (including signing bonus)
2023-24: $925K base salary (including signing bonus), $925K Class ‘A’ bonuses
2024-25: $925K base salary (including signing bonus), $1MM Class ‘A’ bonuses, $850K Class ‘B’ bonuses
PuckPedia clarifies that since Hughes didn’t sign until after the 2022 draft, he’s eligible for the elevated ‘A’ bonuses in the final year instead of being capped at $925K throughout.
Friday: New Jersey Devils fans have been eagerly waiting for top defense prospect Luke Hughes to make his NHL debut. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the wait could soon be over, as the 19-year-old defenseman is set to join the team this weekend in Boston. While it’s unclear when exactly he’ll sign his entry-level contract and play for the team, Friedman notes he’ll be given time to acclimate to the NHL environment.
Hughes was the fourth overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and is considered one of the top prospects in the league. He’s spent the last two seasons with the University of Michigan, where he’s broken college scoring records and demonstrated excellent skating ability and offensive IQ. With Michigan’s season coming to a close in the semifinals of the NCAA Men’s Hockey Tournament last night at the hands of the Quinnipiac Bobcats, though, Hughes will turn pro in the coming days. At 6-foot-2 and 183 pounds, Hughes has the size to compete at the NHL level, even before his 20th birthday.
The Devils have finally broken out this season, sitting at the top of the Eastern Conference and headed straight for a first-round matchup against the New York Rangers. Part of that, however, is due to an already solid group of defensemen, including Dougie Hamilton, Damon Severson, and Ryan Graves. While it doesn’t seem like there may be a massive opportunity for Hughes to step into the lineup right away, the team’s weak link may be on their third defense pairing, with either Brendan Smith or Kevin Bahl typically occupying a spot alongside Severson. When Hughes eventually makes his Devils debut, that’s likely where the left-shot defender will slot in.
It’s important to temper expectations, however. Hughes has yet to get a taste of professional hockey and will be thrown straight into the competitive environment of a top NHL team pushing to make a deep playoff run. The Devils won’t throw a potential franchise cornerstone into the fire before he’s ready. Still, even with limited minutes, this time could benefit Hughes’ development and improve his chances of playing a more impactful full-time role in 2023-24.
The Devils have a solid recent history of helping young talent hit their potential, with four main scoring threats (Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, and Dawson Mercer) being drafted and developed talents under the age of 25. If the same can be achieved with Hughes, who registered 10 goals and 48 points in 39 games during his sophomore campaign at Michigan, the team is bound to have one of the most well-constructed rosters in the league for years to come.
Latest On Jonas Siegenthaler
- Jonas Siegenthaler will not play in tonight’s New Jersey Devils game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, according to team reporter Amanda Stein. In his place, veteran defenseman Brendan Smith will draw into the lineup. It’s unknown whether this absence is injury related, as Siegenthaler played in the Devils’ last game on Tuesday, but it’s worth noting that Siegenthaler’s play has dipped a bit from the stellar form he displayed earlier in the season, so perhaps this is head coach Lindy Ruff’s way of giving his talented defenseman a means of achieving a “reset” before the playoffs.
New Jersey Devils Reassign Nolan Foote
Nolan Foote‘s most recent NHL run with the New Jersey Devils will end at three games, as the team has reassigned him to their AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets. Foote registered one goal in that three-game stretch, playing under 10 minutes in each contest.
Foote, 22, is a 2019 first-round pick who was acquired by the Devils in the 2020 trade of Blake Coleman to the Tampa Bay Lightning. At that point, Foote was serving as captain of the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets, and he would make his professional debut the next season with the then-Binghamton Devils. Foote has always been a difference-maker at the AHL level, and this season is no different as he has posted 18 goals and 30 points in 48 games.
His career total is a healthy 79 points in 128 career AHL games, but despite that AHL production NHL success has eluded Foote.
He has just 19 NHL games on his resume, and has scored seven points. A lack of foot speed has hurt Foote’s ability to separate himself in an NHL that is getting quicker and quicker.
Foote’s return to the AHL will certainly help the Comets, who are currently second in the AHL’s North Division and looking to lock up their spot in the Calder Cup playoffs.
But heading back to the AHL after again failing to latch on in the NHL for an extended period has to come as a disappointment for Foote.
As numerous other 2019 draft picks are breaking out and establishing themselves as NHL options, Foote is getting closer to a crucial point in his development. He’ll be waivers-eligible next season, so the Devils will have to make the choice next fall whether to finally include Foote in their NHL plans or risk losing him to another NHL team.
Foote could see the possibility of being exposed to and potentially claimed off of waivers next fall as an opportunity rather than a risk, though, as he could be in line to receive more NHL opportunities in an organization without the type of embarrassment of riches along the wings that the Devils can boast.
Regardless, with this reassignment Foote can’t focus on the possibility of waivers next fall. The priority has to be putting together a strong finish to his regular season and helping Utica go on a long Calder Cup playoff run. Doing those two things would likely improve Foote’s standing within the Devils organizational plans, and perhaps inspire more confidence in the team that he’ll be ready to earn a spot on the 23-man roster next season.
Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
New Jersey Devils Sign Josh Filmon To Entry-Level Contract
2022 NHL Draft pick Josh Filmon has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the New Jersey Devils, the team announced early Friday morning. The contract begins in 2023-24, and he will report to the AHL’s Utica Comets on an amateur tryout for the remainder of 2022-23.
The Devils selected Filmon, now 19 years old, with the 166th overall pick in 2022. The left winger’s most appealing aspect is his shot, as evidenced by his team-leading 47 goals in 64 games with the WHL’s Swift Current Broncos this season.
While he’ll report to Utica for the end of the season, he won’t stay there through next year. He’s still ineligible for assignment to the AHL, given his age, and would need to be returned to Swift Current next season if he doesn’t make the Devils out of camp — an overwhelmingly likely scenario. This would slide the beginning of his entry-level contract to 2024-25.
Filmon’s potential grew far past that of a sixth-round pick this season, demonstrated by his season goal-scoring breakout only one season after being drafted. While it will be a few years before Filmon is looking at consistent NHL ice time, he projects as a legitimate middle-six scoring winger if he can hit his NHL ceiling.
Nathan Bastian Has Same Shoulder Injury, Played Hurt This Season
Lindgren has been sidelined with an upper-body injury for the most part since February 26, playing in one game on March 21 before exiting the lineup again. He’s missed 14 of the team’s past 15 games as a result. He’s been an important player again for the Rangers this season, recording 18 points in 58 games played, along with a +28 rating in a top-pairing role. Having already clinched a playoff spot and practically locked into a divisional playoff matchup with the New Jersey Devils, the team won’t rush his return back to the lineup.
- New Jersey Devils forward Nathan Bastian is again on the shelf, and NJ.com’s Ryan Novozinsky reports it’s the same upper-body injury that kept Bastian out for nearly two months earlier this season. Despite the setback, Bastian stated that he’s feeling better and hoping to return to the ice before the end of the season. It’s noted that Bastian wasn’t completely healthy when originally returning from the injury, explaining what some viewed as a dip in his play.