Peter Laviolette wasn't happy with either outcome of last month's Rangers-Devils game.
He said there were some positives from the first game, a 5-1 blowout on Dec. 2. But three weeks later, another lethargic loss quickly spiraled into embarrassment.
The afternoon started with the Blueshirts making their longest-tenured player, Chris Kreider, a healthy scratch.
The Devils then made a deal with Rangers fans in 2019 when they allowed New Jersey to select Jack Hughes with the No. 1 overall pick in 2019 and give the next pick to Kaapo Kakko, who had recently been dumped by the Kraken. Clips of people cheering were trolled on the Jumbotron.
And after losing 5-0, Rangers were the subject of jabs on social media. The Devils' team account posted a clip to X depicting a blue garbage can with the Rangers logo plastered on it floating on the surface of water. burning.
At that point, their season was spiraling out of control. A dumpster fire wasn't a far-fetched explanation. Not much has changed since then, with the Blueshirts losing a 5-4 overtime loss on Tuesday after blowing a 3-0 lead, offsetting their two-game winning streak in three games.
But considering how the last game against the Devils went, the Rangers' latest matchup with their Metropolitan Division rival Thursday at the Garden will be a chance to respond and make a statement.
“I didn't like the way we played last time,” defenseman Ryan Lindgren said.
Regardless of the Rangers' current situation, the showdown will be a measuring stick.
The Devils hold second place in the metro, three points behind the division-leading Capitals entering Wednesday night's game, and have the second-best power play in the league.
Hughes and Jesper Blatt are tied for 11th in the NHL with 48 points as of Wednesday night.
Goaltender Jacob Markstrom is averaging the third-lowest points in the league through the first 30 games this year.
In the 2022-23 season, the rivalry between the two teams spilled over into the postseason, with the Devils defeating the Rangers in the first round.
Last year, the Blueshirts swept all four tournaments as New Jersey fell far short of their lofty expectations and missed the playoffs.
The teams are scheduled to meet again in April, with the Rangers needing to win one of their remaining two games to avoid being swept in the season series.
But Thursday's win at the Garden will help the Rangers overcome the pre-holiday debacle and the accompanying disaster of jumbotron blares and social media trolls.
“It's definitely a chance to right some wrongs,” Peter Laviolette said, referring to last month's two losses.
Laviolette said center Filip Sitil, who was sidelined with an upper-body injury in Tuesday's loss, has not practiced and is still being evaluated.
Chris Kreider, who was on injured reserve until Sunday with an upper-body injury, skated alone.
and star goalie Igor Shesterkin. — who is also on IR but eligible to play Thursday — participated fully in practice.
“Every time I see a player participate in practice, every time someone skates on their own or wears a different color jersey or doesn't get the reps they need, I know they're one step closer. I think so,” Laviolette said. I asked if Shesterkin was close to returning.
Artur Kaliyev claimed waivers on Monday and skated on the Rangers' third line alongside Johnny Brodzinski. and Brett Berard, while also earning time on the second power play unit.
