Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!
I said it was a must win, and the Devils got the job done, snapping their 3 game losing streak and getting right back in the playoff race. Great hockey game too. A lot of end to end action, which would typically favor the Rangers. It actually sucks that it's the last game these two teams will play against one another because it really felt like a playoff atmosphere. After getting swept by the Rags last year, the Devils were able to win 3 out of 4 in the series this year.
The Rangers came out flying and rang one off the post in the first 5 minutes. The Devils got on the board with a sneaky deflection by Kennedy. I've hated on the guy all year, but if he keeps contributing like that, I have no complaints. After his goal, the game really opened up. After a Palmieri breakaway and save by Lundqvist, the Rangers got two quick one's back within 30 seconds. Neither were Schneider's fault in my opinion.
I don't know what John Hynes said to the team after the 1st period, but they came out in the 2nd period with a fire lit under their asses. They controlled the game from there, out shooting the Rangers 17-5 in the period. It was nice to see them putting some passes tape to tape and controlling possession of the puck. The powerplay got back on track with a nice goal from Palmieri.
Then Cory Schneider made the save of the night. This was Marty Brodeur-esque:
A lot happened in the second period. But first, let's flash back to one week ago against the Flyers when Joe Blandisi took a bad dive:
Flash forward to last night:
ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME BRO? Lesson learned? That's two dives and two embellishment penalties in one week. Stop flopping and bringing attention to the Devils for the wrong reasons. The only reason he is going to stay in the lineup is because he is producing. He had the two primary assists, both beautiful passes, on the Palmieri and Stempniak goals. But, he did show his youth again when he got caught out of position on the Kevin Hayes goal. Just stop diving dude. Expect every team to chirp him about it going forward too. He's dangerous offensively, but not exactly building the best reputation around the league.
Anyways, Sergey Kalinin and JT Miller dropped the gloves at the end of the second period after the Devils went up 3-2 on the Stempniak goal. I was surprised because you don't typically see Russian guys drop the gloves. It's not how the international game is played. But, I was more surprised when Miller got tossed from the game for the tape on his hand, which apparently is an "intent to injure" penalty and automatic ejection. It was bizarre to me because I never even knew that was a rule. Whatever, if their hottest scorer wants to drop the gloves and get thrown out, I'm all for it.
After not scoring on 7 minutes of powerplay time to start off the 3rd period, someone on the Devils FINALLY scored on a breakaway. That's a Gordie Howe hat trick for Kalinin! For the non-hockey fans, that's a goal, an assist, and a fight. And he exploded for the goal:
This makes a Gordie Howe Hat Trick for Sergey Kalinin. #NYRvsNJD pic.twitter.com/RoiOUOFIfW— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) February 24, 2016
Isn't it great when we beat the Rangers? So great that I'll throw in another Will Ferrell Wedding Crashers gif...
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