The Devils got out to an early lead over the most pathetic franchise from the original six and never looked back.
The Devils went to the inferior side of the Hudson River on Monday night and beat down the 2024 regular season champions. The Devils jumped out to an early lead, Jacob Markstrom was awesome, and the Devils cruised to a convincing victory over the floundering Rangers. The Devils have won seven of their last ten games and are on pace for 108 points. All is well on the better side of the Hudson. The opposite of how things are going in Manhattan. One since 40.
Dawson Mercer is laughing at everyone saying he should be healthy scratched. #NJDevils up 2-0
— Vinnie Parise (@VinnieParise) December 3, 2024
Dawson Mercer has been off to a slow start and receiving some criticism from fans. Mercer threw a puck on net, surprised Shesterkin, and gave the Devils a two goal lead. Mercer has been underwhelming since the end of the 2023 season. Evening saying that, he’s still been a good player. Mercer is a solid defensive forward that can play the wing or center well, and can still score 20 goals. Mercer scored 20 last year and with six goals now could very well get to 20 again this year. Mercer probably won’t be the top six forward he was in 2023 again. However, he is still a very serviceable third line player on a reasonable contract. I think we need to cool it with the Dawson Mercer hate.
What a goal by Jack Hughes 🚨 pic.twitter.com/m7dMZo2i6y
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 3, 2024
Jack Hughes absolutely owns the Rangers. The entire franchise, the arena, the TV network, the concession stands, it all belongs to Jack Hughes. He owns them. He now has 28 points in 28 career games against them including playoffs. When Jack steps on the ice against the most boring, the least imaginative jersey in the history of sports, he is unstoppable. Three points tonight, narrowly missed a hat trick, and was making it look easy all night. Jack might hate the Rangers even more than he hates doing media interviews, if it’s even possible for him to hate something more than talking to the media.
Markstrom Save Of The Game #NJDevils #NHL pic.twitter.com/kdncXWLPMV
— Devils Joint (@DevilsJointX) December 3, 2024
39 save night for Markstrom. He was incredible tonight, even when the Rangers pressed at times. This is the goalie we will need down the stretch and in the playoffs. Performances like this are going to be able to carry the Devils in high stakes games. The Devils have one of the best offenses in the NHL but they wont be able to score 5 goals regularly in big games. They will need the goalie to step up in tight games and Markstrom is showing he can do that. We have been clamoring for this type of goaltending for years and now are enjoying the benefits of reliably solid goaltending.
Beating the Rangers and contributing to their downfall is incredible. The ideal situation honestly. The Devils are doing a great job bouncing back from losses and not letting losing streaks start. All things look great in NJ and the Rangers seem to be sinking like a stone. One since 40.
The Morning Skate 