The most anticipated rivalry in the National Hockey League (NHL) has returned: the Hudson River rivalry. The New York Rangers traveled across the river to the Rock to face the New Jersey Devils on October 15 at 7 p.m. This was the first of three games that will be played between the two rivals this season.
First Period: Beginning of the War
The start of this season’s Hudson River rivalry began with the opening puck drop. Both the Devils and the Rangers knew scoring the first goal would be crucial to build momentum. It was a lot of back-and-forth between the teams. With just 30 seconds remaining in the period, the first goal was scored, by New Jersey center Evan Rodrigues. The Devils took the lead at the end of the first period 1-0.
Second Period: Dominance Takes Over
The Rangers went into the second period trying to even the score or take the lead away from the Devils. That plan for the Rangers backfired. Just 18 seconds into the period, Timo Meier and Brett Pesce assisted Luke Hughes with scoring the second goal for the Devils. The Devils kept bringing the heat as Meier and Dawson Mercer set up Nico Hischier four minutes after Luke Hughes scored. Thirty seconds later another Devils goal was scored; this time it was Mercer and Jack Hughes setting up Arseny Gritsyuk.
The Rangers were trying to take the lead but it would not be enough. Twelve minutes later, Pesce and rookie Amadeus Lombardi assisted Luke Hughes. That would conclude the second period and the Devils led the Rangers 4-0.
Third Period: The Winner Takes All
This would be the last chance for the Rangers to make the game close. The first five minutes of the period looked like they were in the Rangers’ favor. The Devils did not like how that was going so they scored. It would be Rodrigues and Lombardi assisting Stefan Noesen. The Rangers had no choice but to try to score. That finally did happen after over an hour and a half into the game. Alexis Lafrenière and Adam Fox assisted Pavel Dorofeyev. That would be the only goal the Rangers would score at the Rock Thursday night. The Devils had enough in them to score the final goal of the game. Hamilton and Mercer assisted Cody Glass. The final score at the end of the game would be the Devils winning 7-1 over the Rangers.
Looking Ahead
After this win, the Devils have jumped to fourth in the Metropolitan Division. On Saturday October 17 at 1 p.m. the Devils will travel down to Washington D.C. to face the Capitals.
The Rangers’ position did not change after the Hudson River match. The Rangers are still second in the Metropolitan Division. The Rangers have a chance to bounce back on Saturday October 17 at 7 p.m. when they travel up to Columbus, Ohio, to face the Blue Jackets.
