Series highlights: Devils eliminate Rangers in seven games

So far in the 2023 series, there have been some surprises. First, the Leafs eliminated the Lightning, then the Bruins were defeated by the Panthers. The Avalanche also lost to the Kraken.

The Devils also had a chance to spring a surprise and eliminate the New York Rangers.

Although they had the ice advantage, they were the underdogs, given the Rangers’ experience.

In the end, New Jersey prevailed 4-0 in the final game.

They are the last team to qualify for the second round and will face the Carolina Hurricanes.

As for the game itself, the Devils took the lead in the second period thanks to a superb goal from Michael McLeod.

Ondrej Palat + Michael McLeod = one absolutely beautiful goal! 😍

McLeod’s first career #StanleyCup Playoffs goal breaks the ice in #Game7.#NHLStats: https://t.co/AO6KHpnk36

🇺🇸: @espn ➡️ https://t.co/RDHf3P1mpj
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet ➡️ https://t.co/g9x1gSVHQk pic.twitter.com/535TU5F4Ij

– NHL (@NHL) May 2, 2023

Afterwards, Tomas Tatar, who is not having a good series, scored a beautiful goal to give his team a two-goal lead. What a surge by John Marino on the sequence!

TOMAS TATARRRRRRRRR 🚨 pic.twitter.com/O6cciP2vTC

– TVA Sports (@TVASports) May 2, 2023

The celebration is just as spectacular.

Just before the halfway point of the third period, captain Jacob Trouba woke up his team. He hit Timo Meier solidly in the zone.

The Swiss, who has not collected a point in this series, was visibly shaken on the sequence. Fortunately, he returned to the team bench.

His team held on to win by shutout. Erik Haula and Jesper Bratt scored the insurance goals in the final minutes.

Devils goalkeeper Akira Schmid made 31 saves.

Alexis Lafrenière ended his playoff career with – get this – zero points.

The Rangers will therefore be drafted 24th unless Seattle and/or Florida advance to the second round. The team’s GM, Chris Drury, will have picked up Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane this year for seven more games in a season that ended in the worst possible way.

Extension

– A crazy sequence.

IGOR DOWN, NET EMPTY, NO GOAL 🤯

What a WILD sequence! pic.twitter.com/x8xbeNxBjI

– B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 2, 2023

– Jack Hughes drank a lot of alcohol before the game.

Jack Hughes is ELITE 🔥 pic.twitter.com/lEjzWYEGDz

– JAKEYBAYB (@Jakesnotfunny) May 2, 2023

– The Devils’ eight pointers.

– The second round begins tonight.

Panthers vs Maple Leafs 7pm

Kraken vs Stars 9:30pm