NEW YORK, N.Y. — The New York Rangers defeated the New Jersey Devils 4-3 in a shootout on Thursday night in what was the final home preseason game of the season for the Rangers.
Neither team started many of its regulars in this one, as the two main storylines entering the game were how Alberts Smits would look on the blue line and how Joonas Korpisalo would play in net. A bad performance by Korpisalo could pave the way for young goaltender Dylan Garand to become Igor Shesterkin’s backup to start the season.
There wasn’t much action through the first 10 minutes until Rangers prospect Nathan Aspinall was sent to the box for holding, giving the Devils their first man advantage of the game.
New Jersey would take advantage of the power play quickly, as Stefan Noesen deflected a shot in front that went over the head of Joonas Korpisalo to give the Devils a 1-0 lead.
New York’s best chance of the period came with 4:34 remaining, as Joe Veleno was left all alone in front but couldn’t beat Devils goaltender Nico Daws. The period would end with New Jersey leading 1-0.
Four minutes into the second period, New Jersey native Michael Del Gaizo laid a big hit on Devils forward Amadeus Lombardi, leading to a short tussle between Del Gaizo and Marc McLaughlin that ended with both players on the ground. Both received penalties for roughing, with McLaughlin being handed an extra two minutes, giving the Rangers their first chance on the power play.
The Blueshirts would not convert and shortly after would take a penalty of their own, as Cole Beaudoin entered the sin bin for tripping. New York killed off the penalty, and the game remained 1-0. With 7:51 remaining in the period, New Jersey increased its lead as Ethan Edwards sniped a one-timer over the shoulder of Korpisalo to make it 2-0.
The period would end with the Devils in front by two.
New York would get on the board early in the third after Will Cuylle was credited with a goal following an attempted pass from Gabe Perreault that deflected off the skate of Matthew Robertson. Cuylle was able to put the puck home to cut the Devils’ lead to 2-1.
The Blueshirts quickly tied the game as Anton Blidh found the loose puck in the crease and buried it to make it 2-2.
The third period was all Rangers as Scott Morrow gave the Blueshirts the lead, banking the puck off Devils defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok’s stick and into the net with under 10 minutes remaining.
Though this was a preseason game, it marked Scott Morrow’s first goal as a Ranger since being traded to the team last summer in the deal that sent K’Andre Miller to Carolina. Amadeus Lombardi tied the game late in the third period at 3-3.
Eventually, the game went to overtime and then a shootout, where Will Cuylle scored the winning goal for the Rangers, giving New York a 4-3 victory.
New York will play one final preseason game on the road against the Islanders before the season opener in Boston on Tuesday.
