Game summary
Whenever the Rangers need a big performance in an elimination game, Big Game Chris Kreider answers the call. With the Rangers down 1–0, Kreider scored the biggest goal of the series to date, redirecting Mika Zibanejad’s shot past Akira Schmid just before half time. This goal set the tone for the game, as Rangers have not looked back. Kreider added two more assists on the next two goals to send the series back to the Jerseys in Game 7.
Zibanejad was the recipient of one of Kreider’s passes, finally cutting through for a massive second goal to give the Rangers the lead. Vladimir Tarasenko gave the Rangers two goals and Barclay Godrow scored the third. It took a long time, but Rangers finally got through to Schmid, visibly shaken after Zibanejad’s goal.
Schmid was eventually pulled out, and now the story is how he’ll respond. It was the story in Game 3, and it was clearly an important factor in Games 4 and 5. High event hockey favored the Rangers, especially with the way Igor Shesterkin plays.
Devils 1, Rangers 0
Curtis Lazar ran up the inside of Barclay Goudreau and had a clear pass for the rebound. A fourth line had to score, and it was the Devils who got the decisive first goal from their own depth of the third.
Rangers 1, Devils 1
Captain Clutch Chris Crider. Sometimes you just need to get to the front of the net, something we’ve been begging this team to do for the last three games. Mika Zibanejad’s shot was wide, but the Rangers made their luck by being in front of the net, and the ball went off Kreider’s skate.
Rangers 2, Devils 1
Finally Mika Zibanejad got one. He’s clearly jumped in his stride, and after mailing in an air volley, the Devils forgot to cover him in the hatch. He finds the soft spot between Three Devils, and Cryder’s fodder roof.
Rangers 3, Devils 1
The Rangers needed someone to step up, and Chris Crider answered the call. His forward check created mayhem along the boards, and eventually he came out with the puck and found Vladimir Tarasenko in the high hole with room to spare. Tarasenko’s catch and release was ridiculous.
Rangers 4, Devils 1
Barclay Goudreau forced the spin, hitting a 2-on-1 with Jimmy Vesey. Goudreau drove into the net, stopping Visey’s rebound from the air and past Schmid.
Rangers 5, Devils 1
The Devils appeared to be walking after Goudreau’s goal, and had some false coverage in the defensive zone. The Rangers finally got to cycling, and Braden Schneider blasted a single away from Schmid that probably should have stopped him. The child panicked.
Rangers 5, Devils 2
The Devils avoided another score by going 5-1 with a late goal on a bad angle shot/rebound by Dawson Mercer.
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