In Newark, the New York Rangers fell to the New Jersey Devils, 4-0, on Thursday night in Game 5.
To call this a collapse would be an understatement. The Rangers have disappeared in a series they had in their pockets.
“We just executed our game plan and played in our strength,” New Jersey captain Nico Hischier said. “That was a really good game from everyone.”
They have scored two goals in the last three games of the series, all losses to New Jersey.
Akira Schmid made 23 saves for the shutout.
“The boys have been playing phenomenal in front of me,” Schmid said. “Not a lot of work for me. I can’t give the boys enough credit. We just blocked a lot of shots (24), were in lanes and didn’t let the puck get through.”
The Rangers now trail in the series, 3-2, after leading 2-0.
Ondrej Palat scored all the offense New Jersey needed in the first period for a 1-0 lead.
The goal came 39 seconds into the game.
Erik Haula scored off the power play in the middle fame to push the lead to 2-0.
“We’ve got to go home and win one game,” Rangers forward Chris Kreider said. “… We’ve had a terrific fan base all year, but we let them down. We let ourselves down at home so it’s up to us to show up and play the way we want to play from puck drop. It’s time to play a full 60 (minutes) and win a hockey game.”
Lots of luck with that.
Dawson Mercer hit for a shorthanded goal at 13:52 for a 3-0lead headed to the third period.
“Jersey played one [heck] of a game; their best game of the series so far,” New York coach Gerard Gallant said. “We got some traffic, and I thought the goalie played really well for them. [Shesterkin] was excellent too, but I thought Schmid was really good.”
Haula hot for a double at 14:48 of the third for the 4-0 final.
Igor Shesterkin made 39 saves in another embarrassing loss this season, never mind the post season.
The Rangers have no life left in their sweaters. This season is over.
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