New York Rangers (4-4-0) @ New Jersey Devils (4-1-3)

255 days ago Adam Henrique’s OT goal ended the Rangers long playoff run. Now this heated rivalry starts all over again in the Prudential Center. These teams don’t hesitate to hit hard or drop the gloves – they’re ready to the battle again! Years go by but some things never change. Martin Brodeur and Henrik Lundqvist will face each others again and usually we’ve seen legendary battles between those two. Tight your seat belts – Hudson River rivalry continues tonight!

NJD:

Zach Parise is gone and they had some trouble bringing Ilya Kovalchuk back from KHL. But all in all the Devils have had a satisfying start for the season.  With going 4-1-3 the Devils are currently at the 5th place in the Eastern and 2nd in the Atlantic Division. On Sunday night the Devils beat the Islanders 3-0. David Clarkson has five goals and four assists in eight games while Kovalchuk has two goals and three assists.

NYR:

The Rangers did get their first road win of the season in Tampa but they also changed their line-up after it. They send Mike Rupp to Minnesota for Darrel Powe and Nick Palmieri. Powe will join the Rangers while Palmieri will join the Connecticut Whale. Personally I wanna thank Mike Rupp for his time in the Rangers – never going to forget that “Jagr-salute” ! Powe had 91 blocked shots a year ago and he’s strong on the penalty kill. Palmieri is only 23 years old and he has 25 points in 87 NHL games. Powe is expected to be in the line-up against the Devils.

That wasn’t enough for the Rangers. They also called up JT Miller and Brandon Mashinter from the Connecticut Whale while Benn Ferriero was sent down. Mashinter has played 13 NHL games while Miller is expected to make his NHL debut against the Devils.

Carl Hagelin and Derek Stepan scored their first goals of the season in 3-2 victory over the Lightning. With Taylor Pyatt, that line really got their game together. They moved the puck well, battled hard in the corners and eventually they scored two goals. No words about Nash’s goal – absolute thing of beauty. Martin Biron had a solid game with 30 saves.

Key players and stats:

Kovalchuk vs. Nash, Lundqvist vs. Brodeur or Elias vs. Richards – you name it. This rivalry is all about great match-ups.  If history repeats itself, there will be more than one or two scrums. Darrol Powe, JT Miller and Brandon Mashinter will play their first games as a New York Rangers. This is the first of four meetings this season. Second meeting will be at the Prudential Center on Mar. 19. The Devils won’t be at the Garden until Apr. 21 and in the regular-season finale Apr. 27.

Let’s Go Rangers!

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