The New York Rangers went as all-in as any team in the NHL at the trade deadline this year. They brought in both Vlad Tarasenko and Patrick Kane and lots of people thought they were the team to beat. And, when they took a 2-0 lead in their first-round series against the Devils, it felt like a second round appearance was a foregone conclusion. Well… yeah. About that… the Devils changed goalies, took the momentum and never gave it back. They skated laps around the Rangers last night and sent them to the golf courses in a stunning 4-0 win.
The second round begins tonight! Why wait when we’re having so much fun, right? Here’s the schedule for Tuesday night’s action:
The Devils’ social team won the day. This is brilliant and I’m absolutely here for it.
I am really not a huge fan of hits like this one that (to the surprise of nobody) Jacob Trouba put on Timo Meier last night in the third period. The rulebook will say it’s allowed; no penalty was called on the play. But his intent here is pretty clear: he wanted to change the momentum of the game by removing Meier from the New Jersey lineup. It’s dangerous and I’d prefer we don’t see really good players laying on the ice like this as frequently as we have this year.
With the Rangers getting shutout in Game 7 last night, the Blackhawks now know when their six (6) picks will fall in the first two rounds of the 2023 NHL Draft. Chicago owns Tampa’s picks in each of the first two rounds, Ottawa’s second and the Rangers’ second as well.
Yesterday, the IceHogs announced a couple players have been released from their PTOs. Forward Paul Ludwinski was released from his PTO. He figures to go back to junior next season. Goaltender Drew Commesso, who signed his entry-level contract earlier this month, is leaving Rockford to play for the US at the 2023 IIHF World Championship later this month.
The biggest NHL news on Monday might have had nothing to do with a Game 7. Snoot Dogg confirmed he has joined Neko Sparks’ group that is going to put in a serious bid to buy the Ottawa Senators. So we’ve got Snoop in one group and Ryan Reynolds in another. Either way is a win for hockey in my opinion, and I love that some big name entertainers are interested in not only buying the team, but growing the game.
The NHL announced the league will release the three finalists for each of the individual awards beginning Tuesday. The only award I can imagine a Blackhawk being a finalist for would be Alex Stalock for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.
Finally, late last night word broke that the Cubs were bringing Miguel Amaya to DC to join the team with the catching depth on the big club having some question marks physically.
NEWSLETTER
