Devils Postgame

Devils Takeaways: Shesterkin Soft, Markstrom Hot, New Guy Impresses in Win over NYR

Jacob Markstrom dazzles, Nathan Legare’s NHL Debut, Devils stars propel victory over Rangers in first meeting of Hudson River Rivalry in 2024-25.

Published

2 months ago

December 2, 2024

James Nichols

New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom guards the goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Rangers, Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

The New Jersey Devils ran the New York Rangers out of Madison Square Garden in the first meeting of the Hudson River Rivalry.

On the back of Jacob Markstrom who certainly silenced his critics, the veteran goaltender turned in his best performance of the season in a crucial moment.

Let’s get to how it happened.

Devils Recap

It only took a minute and a half for the Devils to open the scoring. Ondrej Palat hit Jesper Bratt with a pass from the defensive end to the neutral zone. Bratt receiving a pass led a 2-on-1, opted to shoot, and beat Igor Shesterkin five-hole for the 1-0 lead. The Devils then doubled their lead after Luke Hughes intercepted a puck in the neutral zone and transitioned the puck to the Rangers’ zone. Dawson Mercer collected a loose puck after Hughes’ shot from the point was stopped halfway to the net and snapped the puck past Shesterkin to bring the game to 2-0.

The Devils picked up right where they left off in the second period. After receiving a 5-on-3 power play, Dougie Hamilton extended the Devils’ lead to 3-0. Jack Hughes later scored the Devils’ fourth goal after he collected a rebound created by his brother, Luke. Chris Kreider converted on a Rangers power play to get on the board, but Jack responded with a power play goal of his own—his second of the night—to make it a 5-1 game heading into the second intermission.

Markstrom and the Devils locked the game down in the third and held on to win the first game of the Hudson River Rivalry in 2024-25. The Devils’ netminder made 39 saves on 40 shots, and turned aside 8/9 shots on the penalty kill.

Takeaways

Devils Ate Shots

The most impressive thing about the Devils’ first period wasn’t the fact that they broke the seven-game streak of forking over first period leads.

It also wasn’t even the commanding 2-0 lead they took thanks to Bratt and Mercer. Instead, it was their penalty kill (PK) that was so impressive, which maintained the Devils’ lead.

Dougie Hamilton sat for two minutes for interference at the 9:16 mark of the first period, and out came the PK unit. Sheldon Keefe deployed Bratt with Erik Haula, Brett Pesce, and Jonas Siegenthaler.

As the Rangers piled up shot attempts, Pesce and Haula put on a shot blocking clinic, helping keep the puck away from the Devils’ net down a man.

Toward the very end of the PK, the Rangers got their one and only shot on goal in a high-danger spot, and Markstrom was there to make the save.

Incredible sequence just now from the #NJDevils on their penalty kill. Wow! pic.twitter.com/vTGHHKC4xz

— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) December 3, 2024

It was an incredibly strong all-around PK in the opening frame which ultimately helped send the Devils into the first intermission holding a 2-0 lead.

Won Their Puck Battles

The Devils would not be denied on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. At every turn, they won their puck battles whether it be in the offensive or defensive end, and in the neutral zone.

In fact, their ability to earn pucks back contributed to a handful of their goals, such as Mercer, who collected a rebound created by Luke Hughes and found the back of the net. Jack Hughes did the same on another Luke Hughes rebound opportunity.

Along the boards or in the slot, the Devils were physically engaged in battles all night and came out winners on most, which ultimately contributed to the Rangers downfall Monday night.

Silenced the Critic

Credit where it’s due.

Jacob Markstrom raised his game to another level in the first of four Hudson River Rivalry matchups this season.

The Swedish netminder weathered the storm in the first period. Despite the Devils holding a 2-0 lead, the Rangers held a 12-7 shot advantage, 11 of which were significant scoring chances, and turned them all aside.

The Rangers kept on the gas in the middle frame, matching the Devils’ 18 shots, and still stood strong, allowing just one goal on a Rangers power play.

By the end of regulation, the 34-year-old netminder stopped 39 of 40 shots, making 3.4 saves above expected. He certainly turned in his best performance of the 2024-25 season thus far.

“I thought [Markstrom] was great throughout [tonight]. It was very clear early on in the game that he was seeing [the puck] really well. The guys did defend hard in front of him,” Keefe explained.

New Guys Impress

How about that NHL debut for Nathan Légaré?

The 23-year-old forward played in his first career NHL game Monday night in the Hudson River Rivalry.

Typically, Keefe has skated his fourth line for sub 10 minutes a night. However, with Légaré in the lineup, the fourth line got a little more pull. In fact, Légaré skated in 11:42 of ice time himself, and earned every second of it with about 10 of his family/friends in attendance.

Légaré accrued two shots and six hits through three periods and was reliable in all three zones. He was heavy on the forecheck and won his individual puck battles, which even led to a scoring chance where he nearly scored his first career NHL goal.

Hardman also had a strong showing in 08:24 of ice time, winning battles in the defensive end of the ice and clearing the puck from danger.

The Devils could use a lot more of that from their depth moving forward.

“I was really impressed with them. Légaré, for me in particular, played extremely hard, physical, hard on the puck, and advanced the puck,” Keefe explained elated. “He played like a guy that wants to be in the NHL and knows who he is. And I thought he was really good for us. I thought the line was good. Hartman gave us some good shifts. So that was nice to see. It’s important.”