GAME STORY: Rangers 5, Devils 3

NEWARK, N.J.- Just like in the previous three games, the Devils fell into a huge hole against the New York Rangers. This time they spotted the Blueshirts a 3-0 advantage. However, this time they were able to even the score at 3-3 in the third period.
But the Rangers would prevail, 5-3, as they had in the previous three meetings in the Hudson River Rivalry Week series and complete the sweep against the Devils at
Prudential Center
Sunday afternoon.

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WHAT'S NEXT
The Devils hit the road for a four-game road trip, starting with three straight in Pittsburgh. Game 1 is Tuesday night. You can watch on MSG+ 2 and listen on the Devils Hockey Network,
including right here at NewJerseyDevils.com.
Game time is 7:08 PM ET.
New York won the season finale against the two clubs and the season series, 6-2.
The Rangers staked out their 3-0 edge on goals from Chris Kreider, Vitali Kravtsov and Alex Lafreniere. But the Devils would not go quietly into that good night (or afternoon in this case).
The Devils rally started with a late second-period goal (65 seconds left in the period) from Mikhail Maltsev and carried over with two more scores in the third from Marián Studenič, his first-career NHL goal, and captain Nico Hischier, his first goal since Feb. 27.
But it was a power-play goal from Mika Zibanejad with three minutes remaining in regulation that would be the difference.
Here are some more observations from the game…
* Congratulations are certainly in order for the rookie Studenic. The 22-year-old forward flashed some fancy hands and speed to score his first-career NHL goal. He collected a loose puck inside the Rangers blue line and had a semi-break on goal. The Slovakia native reached the dot and snapped a shot over the blocker of Rangers goalie Alexander Georgiev.
"I was getting speed and moved to the middle of the ice," the Slovak rookie said. "I had speed and went to the net and just closed my eyes and it went into the net.
"I couldn't believe when I scored. I was so happy I could score that goal tonight."
Earlier in the game he had a similar display by carrying the puck end-to-end while shielding it from a defender. He got the puck all way to the low circles and got off a good shot.
* Rookie forward Nolan Foote made his NHL debut in the game, becoming the sixth Devils' player to appear in his first-career game in the League this season. He also picked up his first-career NHL point with an assist on Hischier's game-tying third-period goal.
"Overall, thought I played pretty well," Foote said. "First game, you've got to adapt to the speed and physicality. It was a big change. Overall, I thought I played pretty good."
* Hischier is not known for his pugilism. But that doesn't mean he won't mix it up if needed. That's exactly what he did five minutes into the game.
After New York defenseman Jacob Trouba leveled a hard check on Devils forward Andreas Johnsson at the blue line, Hischier immediately skated to Trouba and delivered a few cross-checks of his own. A full line brawl ensued and Hischier was assessed a roughing penalty. It was the only penalty given, and the Rangers scored on the following power play to take a 1-0 lead.
But Hischier did the right thing. He did what a captain and leader should do. He stood up for his teammate. And he showed his team that he'll have their back. Despite giving up the goal, the message was sent to his bench. With the bigger picture in mind, Hischier may have lost the battle (giving up the goal), but he won the war (long-term message).
* The Devils have preached getting to the net for second and third opportunities from rebounds. That stratagem worked for the club's first goal of the game late in the second period.
Yegor Sharangovich and Mikhail Maltsev both were at the crease when P.K. Subban put a shot on goal. Maltsev managed to find the rebound and dove to whack it into the net with 1:05 left in the period. Maltsev was given a shift with Sharangovich and Janne Kuokkanen because Jack Hughes was serving a misconduct penalty (more on that below), and he made the most of it.
* The frustration is starting to show from the Devils. They were livid about two penalty calls against them in the game, and with good reason.
The first was assessed against Studenic, who was skating with Ryan Lindgren for a puck in the corner. Lindgren lost an edge and fell into the boards. Studenic was given a cross checking penalty. Ruff went ballistic on the bench over the call.
The second was called on Hughes, who was called for tripping New York's Anthony Bitetto. Though Hughes' stick did touch Bitetto's skate, it didn't appear to be the reason for the Ranger falling to the ice. Upon the call, Hughes shot the puck around the boards and slammed his stick on the wall. The 19-year-old demonstratively expressed his opinion with the referee. He also slammed his stick at the penalty box door. But it was when he tossed his stick onto the ice while sitting in the box that he was given a 10-minute misconduct for his conduct.
It was a somewhat understandable reaction from Hughes. The guy has played out of his mind this season, but doesn't have the stats to show for it. He hasn't nearly been rewarded enough for his efforts. Frustration had to be boiling deep down. It took a highly questionable penalty call for him to explode. Now that it's out of his system, I expect him to get pull up his bootstraps and get back to work.
"He was just frustrated. Frustration and emotion is a good thing," Ruff said. "I want to see emotion. I want to see emotion put in the right place. I don't want a 10-minute misconduct on a regular basis, but that emotion will come out."
Hughes was the best player on the ice, hands down, in the first period. He was dancing with the puck in the offensive zone, dangling through defenders and cool under pressure. Hughes was able to find his teammates and single-handedly create several scoring chances. General manager Tom Fitzgerald called Hughes a "driver of offense." He definitely was in the driver's seat in that opening frame.
"I thought Jack's play has been fabulous," Ruff said. "The first period was an incredible period. It just shows you the potential for where he's gotten himself too. He had a lot of plays, had the puck a lot of the time. His compete has been high. His points could be doubled. His goals could be doubled with the number of opportunities. It was a good night for him."
* The Devils taketh and giveth. Thursday night Rangers rokie Vitali Kravtsov thought he scored his first-career NHL goal. However, the Devils successfully challenged that the play was offside. The goal was wiped out. Kravtsov would have to wait on that first goal, but he wouldn't wait long.
A miscommunication between defensemen Jonas Siegenthaler and Matt Tennyson led to a turnover at the point in the defensive zone. Brett Howden picked off Siegenthaler's errant pass attempt and found Kravtsov for the one-timer goal in the circle. He'll get that first-goal puck after all.