I got really cocky and picked up my laptop with 4 minutes left to start writing this anticipating an Igor shut out but as expected Jack Hughes got on the board with the penalty shot. Whatever, answered right back with an empty netter, they thought they had a chance, how cute.

What a game huh folks? That’s how you start a series, steal one on the road and get ahead in the series early. Welcome to the post season Jersey, like I said earlier today everything goes out the window and the past is the past this is a whole new game now.

Let’s start with the number one star shall we? KEEP SAYING HIS NAME YOU JERSEY TRASH BAGS IT ONLY MAKES HIM STRONGER. It’s a god damn shame that he let in that penalty shot but credit where credit is due, that was a snipe and a half. Hughes came down with a head full of steam and said he wasn’t gonna let his team get shut out. Understandable. Igor played out of his mind just as expected. The man knows when and how to do it coming up big when it mattered and making some really huge saves when the Rangers were playing rather flat footed. We need him to continue this momentum moving forward not only in this series but in the post season in general. I think we have more than enough time in between games for him to rest up and recover, especially given that travel here isn’t really a factor.

Next up, Big Daddy Vladdy. Getting on the board bright and early in the first setting the tone, this is why we brought him in. Like I said, he’s been here before and has gone the distance so he knows what he needs to do. I think he’s going to be a huge difference maker throughout the playoffs for us which hopefully leads to Jimmy Dolan throwing him some cash and keeping him around. My favorite part of his play tonight though, was the physicality. There was one play in particular during the second where he was coming down the ice full steam ahead and some punk in red tried to take him down. Nope, not on Vladdy T’s watch. Vlad through a nasty reverse check and took him down, and then proceeded to chase down puck laying yet another heavy hit against the boards. Last year we saw physicality here and there where needed but toughness wasn’t exactly the name of the game. This year, I think its a whole different song and dance and it’s only going to benefit us for the better.

We saw my captain, Chris Kreider net 2 tonight and the man is just getting started. He didn’t have the season he had last year being outshined by his hetero life mate Mika, but the skill is still there as he’s clearly determined to cement his already probable place in the rafters at MSG. Foxxy had 4 assists tonight which is unbelievable showing why he should be the front runner for his second Norris.

Special teams showed up in full effect tonight on both ends. 2 PP goals both by #20 with a lot of high-octane offense surrounding the chances. But they weren’t the shining stars of the night. No, the real MVP of the night was the PK. The refs were out to get us tonight not gonna lie, they were calling some soft plays all night which lead us to get into some penalty trouble. But fear not, our PK unit DID NOT ALLOW A SHOT UNTIL THE THIRD PERIOD. Remember when I said earlier today that my biggest concern going into this series was going to be our D? Not anymore (I’m lying I’m still a bit concerned but there’s no denying tonight’s performance was an absolute step in the right direction). Regardless of the ref’s choice of calls tonight, we do need to try to at least be more disciplined. We cannot give up that many power plays to a team with as dangerous of a unit as they are.

But yeah, the defense man. Lindgren had a beauty while also playing a hard physical game. We saw big Mikola getting a ton of ice time deservingly so and playing shutdown D. The boys really came out ready to play playoff hockey tonight and I couldn’t be happier. We didn’t see much of Patty Kane tonight minus his assist on the PP and that’s ok, plenty of hockey left to be played. Bread had a couple of assists and continues to be a pass-first type of player much to my dismay while possessing one of the deadliest shots in his arsenal. Mika was also notably quiet tonight, but again it’s fine when we have others picking up the slack so to speak. Fully confident that the ones that can will pick it up where it is needed going against my whole “need to keep your foot on the pedal from the jump” stance earlier today.

That’s one, 3 more to go. I’m not gonna hit you with a 15 more to go because we’re looking at this the right way one series at a time. There is a ton of hockey left to be played and as we saw with our sister team The Knickerbockers tonight, it’s unlikely the home team lets us come in and stomp them out 2 games in a row before taking things back to the mecca. I’m going to bed tonight happy for sure and will definitely be wearing my Rangers polo into the office tomorrow to celebrate. Especially since it was a stress-less win and we didn’t have to go through the agony of playoff OT. But there is no denying the fact that the Devils are a great club with a ton of talent more than capable of turning it around. It’s very important that both the fans and the team don’t get cocky here and we keep playing the same way we did tonight.

But hey, that’s a Thursday problem. Let’s enjoy the rest of the night and the day tomorrow knowing we’re up 1-0 in the series with a massive road win in our pocket. I’m gonna split and catch Night 2 of Phish’s 3 night Greek Theater run, but before I dive into the tasty jams to come, hit the music.