New York Rangers right wing Vladimir Tarasenko Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive explosion leads Rangers over Devils, forcing Game 7

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 4/30/23

The New York Rangers staved off elimination on Saturday, defeating the New Jersey Devils to force a deciding Game 7.

After allowing the Devils to take a 1-0 lead midway through the first period, the Rangers' offense exploded, tallying five-straight goals to cruise to a 5-2 victory.

Tied 1-1 after one period, the Rangers jumped ahead thanks to goals from Mika Zibanejad and Vladimir Tarasenko, giving New York its first lead heading into the third period since Game 2.

MIKA.
ZIBANEJAD. pic.twitter.com/L0c6ZM7uCg
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) April 30, 2023

In the third, the Rangers pulled away for good, posting two more goals from Barclay Goodrow and Braden Schneider.

HIMMY AND GOODY AND SCORE, OH MY pic.twitter.com/yjXhlw7JTA
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) April 30, 2023

Despite being outshot by the Devils 36-29, the Rangers skated away with a three-goal victory. Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin was spectacular in net, turning away 34 of 36 New Jersey attempts on goal in Game 6.

Saturday's massive win helped keep the Rangers' season alive, but they know the job is far from finished. Defenseman Jacob Trouba told reporters that Game 6 is meaningless if they lose on Monday.

We knew this was a two-game deal with where we were sitting," Trouba said via SNY. "This was the first one, but this one won't mean much if you can't win the last one. Been in this spot before, played Game 7's on the road, played big games on the road before, so we got to bring that same game."

On Monday, the Rangers will travel to Newark to face the Devils on the road for Game 7. The winner will play the Carolina Hurricanes, who've been waiting for their second-round opponent since eliminating the New York Islanders in six games on Friday.

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