New York Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils open thread

It’s a rare Monday matinee for the Rangers as Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider and the gang head to the Madison Square Garden satellite site in downtown Newark for the final game before the Christmas break. The second of four parts of the 2024-25 edition of the Hudson River Rivalry takes place today when the Rangers and Devils meet at the Prudential Center.

Peter Laviolette’s team followed up their 3-1 away win in Dallas on Friday with a 3-1 home loss to Carolina on Sunday, so today is an opportunity to get back on the winning list and start the holidays on a high note. A loss would drop the Blueshirts below .500 for the first time this season and drop them further back in the Metropolitan Division standings. The stakes can only be so high in a game in December, but this game is as essential as it gets under the circumstances.

Player to Watch: Jimmy Vesey

Vesey scored New York’s only goal on Sunday when he found the net 17 seconds into the game. The former Harvard star has emerged as one of the Blueshirts’ most reliable two-way forwards in his second stint on Broadway and could emerge as a potential addition to another team if things continue to look up for the Rangers. It’s also a vendetta for Vesey, the only former Devil on the current roster. Keep an eye on Vesey today as the Rangers look to start the Christmas break with something to be happy about.

Have fun with the game!