For the first time in their series with the New York Rangers, the New Jersey Devils dominated a game from start to finish and snagged the first victory for a home team as the Devils won game five
4-0 for their third triumph in a row to take a three to two lead in the series.
New Jersey was paced by rookie net protector Akira Schmid, who tossed zeroes at the visitors with twenty-three saves.
The Devils received goals in every way possible to score from Ondrej Palat (even strength), Erik Haula (power play and empty net), and Dawson Mercer (shorthanded).
New Jersey could clinch the series with a win in game six Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.
Hell Raisers
1) Akira Schmid did shut the Rangers down but give plenty of credit to the defense in allowing only twenty-three shots.
Schmid handled everything well but the Rangers only occasionally were able to place him in a dire situation and that's due to a defense that was able to avoid mistakes and pushed a Rangers team around consistently.
2) The third Devils goal was the backbreaker for the visitors as the Devils were shorthanded and with a 2-0 lead, the Rangers were all out to get themselves back into the game.
Instead, it was Dawson Mercer, who took a pass from Erik Haula and fired a one-timer past Igor Shesterkin and you could see the Rangers sag after that goal as the realization that there would be no comeback on this night.
3) Quite a scoresheet standout for Erik Haula, who scored two goals and as noted, assisted on Dawson Mercer's shorthanded tally.
Haula is in the midst of a career season for the proverbial "Crafty Veteran" and sometimes at playoff time, there are veteran players that aren't known for their scoresheet production that suddenly pop up with surprising results.
4) Kevin Bahl was part of a nasty Devils defense and even dropped the gloves against Barclay Goodrow for a second-period rumble.
Bahl's physical play was part of the Devils slow breakdown of the Rangers, physically and mentally, which caused the Rangers to melt down a bit as the game progressed.
5) The above note showed itself in the third when Ryan Lindgren (who looks a lot like former pro wrestler Don Kernodle) cross-checked Jonas Siegenthaler and then in an attempt to entice Siegenthaler into doing something dumb, had his helmet popped off by the Devils blueliner.
Lindgrens succeeded in drawing a penalty for that move but the desperation in the flagging Rangers evening was very clear.
6) Now, back to MSG where the Devils have proven that they can win in the Rangers home and the home crowd will be prepared with their team's season at stake.
What will be fascinating to see is the crowd's reaction if the Devils can start strong.
Will the Rangers crowd turn on them with the possibility of losing a 2-0 series with three home losses or can they will the home team to a rally to keep their season alive?
A quick beginning to game six may be a huge piece of a potential win of both the game and the series.
Haula
