Newark. The New Jersey Devils continue to dominate the hockey scene in the New York area.
They won Tonight’s Loaded Derby against the New York Rangers at home at The Rock, thus dropping off the table – gaining the mental advantage of a potential playoff meeting in two weeks’ time.
– Yes, it might be important for us to have a little “mind games” and go into the playoffs with good self-confidence, says Jesper Bokqvist when we meet him after the 2-1 win.
It was no ordinary round of the “Battle of the Hudson” that was decided in downtown Newark overnight. After trailing their hotter rivals in the standings for most of the season, the Rangers have had a chance to catch up – and even challenge for home field advantage in a playoff series that could soon wait.
But nothing came of it. The Devils played their best game in several weeks, dominating the first half of the derby solidly and eventually winning 2-1 – numbers that would surely have been even greater had Igor Systyorkin not outclassed himself in the visitors’ area.
– The first period in particular was good on our part, we came out strong. In the third it was a matter of not letting anything go, and then it got more complicated, Jesper Boqvist says when he met the small blue-and-yellow pressing formation in the dressing room afterwards.
– It was an important match for both teams, and it’s really nice to win.
Yes, the victory means the Devils take control of second in the table and therefore a home advantage if those foes now face each other in the first round of the playoffs — and even an even bigger mental advantage, as it was the third victory out of a possible four against the Rangers this year.
– Mm, it could be important with a bit of “mind games” etc., Jesper continues.
– We feel that we have already started the playoffs, we are trying to play our best hockey and go into the playoffs with good confidence,
The 24-year-old didn’t count any points in the derby, but he was involved in several ‘gargles’, particularly in the second half.
– Yes, it was on me. Eric Hawla got into a fight, then you have to stand up, smiling.
– But you get into matches that way and it’s just fun, I was about to say.
Mika Zibanejad assisted Rangers’ consolation goal, which Chris Kreider scored on a power play midway through the period.
However, the big question is whether or not the sloppy Karolina Hurricane can trail behind at the top of the Metropolitan rankings.
Surprisingly, they also lost last night’s game away to Detroit, by a score of 3-2, leaving the Devils suddenly up by one point – albeit with one game to play.
If they pass, they must face one of the Wild Card teams instead, while the Canes and Rangers meet again.
– harsh. We played well enough to get the win, but gave up the two points in the end, said Carolina coach Rod Brind Amore.
For once, the hottest heat favorites in the Eastern dash did what they had to do during the night.
Pittsburgh beat Nashville 2-0, Florida came from 0-1 behind in Montreal to win 5-2 and Ottawa struggled to an overtime victory (5-4) over Philadelphia.
So this is the status quo in their quest.
However, the train may have gone to Washington in the end. They lost their away game against Tampa 5-1 and now have a full seven points on the goal line – with a game played more than Pittsburgh’s last wild card spot.
The Boston Bruins have a 67-point (!) lead over the Columbus Blue Jackets, so it didn’t quite make sense that the guests at TD Garden last night had a 1-0 lead after half of the game, but that can happen when motivation wears off. .
In the end, Tyler Bertuzzi managed to equalize and David Pasternak, played by Hambus Lindholm, decided in overtime.
Thus, the Bears secured a series victory and victory in the President’s Trophy.
– You are proud, of course, we worked hard for this. But even so… Captain Patrice Bergeron said…