The Rangers’ power play played a major role in their ability to win the first two games of their first-round playoff series over the Devils, but it went cold in Game 3 on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.
That was partly due to the Devils’ adjustments in defending the Rangers’ two loaded man-advantage units.
It also had something to do with the Rangers opting occasionally for one too many passes throughout the night, as well as being limited to fewer shots on net with the man-advantage.
“They did a [good] job adjusting to our power play tonight,” Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant said after the 2-1 overtime loss. “I thought the first one was real good. We had some real good looks. After that we had a couple one and out, one and out. It wasn’t as clean. Our execution wasn’t good tonight in the game as it was the other two nights. That was the biggest difference.”
The Rangers whiffed on five power-play opportunities, including one late in the third period when Patrick Kane drew a high-sticking call on Ryan Graves at the 14-minute mark.
Mika Zibanejad, getting into an altercation with Timo Meier, said the Rangers’ power play was too “slow” during their 2-1 overtime loss to the Devils in Game 3. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConDespite generating six shots on goal during stretches with the man-advantage, the Rangers didn’t have the same flow to their power play that they had in Games 1 and 2.
It was choppy and wasn’t able to hold the offensive zone nearly as effectively.
“I think we came a little bit too slow,” Mika Zibanejad said. “I think the big thing for us in the first two games, we were moving the puck. We were getting pucks to the net. I think we just got to look at the game and come back and be better.”
Follow The Post’s coverage of the Rangers vs. Devils NHL playoff series
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Adam Fox had six assists through the first two games, which was tied with John Carlson (Washington, 2018) and Gary Suter (Calgary, 1988) for the most through the first two postseason games by a defenseman in NHL history.
Fox had none in Game 3
Ben Harpur, Jonny Brodzinski, Louis Domingue, Libor Hajek and Jake Leschyshyn were all scratched for the third straight game.
Adam Fox checks Jack Hughes during the Rangers’ Game 3 loss. Paul J. BereswillThe Rangers will take Sunday off before they play Game 4 on Monday night at the Garden.
Power Plays
Three stars
At 11:36 into overtime, Hamilton cut to the right faceoff circle and swept the puck past Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin to secure the Devils’ 2-1 win in Game 3.
Making his playoff debut Saturday night at the Garden, with his team trailing 2-0 in the first round, the rookie was steady.
He finished with 35 saves, including eight stops in overtime.
3. Chris Kreider
Extending his scoring streak to three straight games, Kreider got the Rangers on the board early in the second period with a goal off a two-on-one rush with Mika Zibanejad.
He became the first Ranger to score five or more goals through three games of a single postseason.
Key moment
The Rangers earned their fifth power play of the night late in the third period and failed to convert, which allowed the Devils to push the game to overtime and ignite a track meet that played in their favor.
Quote of the Day:
“I thought it was an excellent hockey game. We weren’t as smooth, as crisp. I thought we passed up some scoring chances — especially the first half of the game.” — Rangers coach Gerard Gallant
