The New Jersey Devils have owned their Hudson River rivals this 12 months, they usually had one other W to rejoice exterior of their 5-0 win over the New York Rangers.
Over 5 years in the past, the Devils and Rangers, respectively, had the primary and second general picks of the NHL Draft, and the alternatives had been easy.
Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko had been lengthy assumed to be the primary and second picks that 12 months, and that is precisely what occurred.
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New Jersey Devils middle Jack Hughes (86) and New York Rangers proper wing Kaapo Kakko (24) line up for a face-off throughout a recreation between the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils on November 18, 2023 at Prudential Middle within the Newark, New Jersey.
Nonetheless, that night time throughout a Rangers draft social gathering at Madison Sq. Backyard, Ranger followers applauded the Devils choosing Hughes — whether or not it was as a result of they most popular Kakko, or they had been torn between the 2 gamers and did not wish to be torn between the 2 is up for dialogue.
Nicely, the 2 gamers have had very reverse tenures with their respective groups. Hughes has turn into a Calder Trophy candidate, whereas Kakko not solely did not dwell as much as the hype, however the Rangers additionally traded him earlier this month to the Seattle Kraken.
The 2 foes met in Newark on Monday, and it was the Rangers’ first recreation in opposition to New Jersey since buying and selling Kakko, and the Devils, and their followers had a area day.
New Jersey Devils middle Jack Hughes (86) celebrates with teammates after scoring a aim in opposition to the Chicago Blackhawks throughout the second interval of an NHL hockey recreation Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, in Newark, N.J. (AP Picture/Adam Starvation)
On the scoreboard, the Devils performed a video of one of many aforementioned Kakko celebrations by Rangers followers, and the digital camera instantly panned to Hughes, who could not assist however snicker.
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So as to add insult to harm, Hughes scored twice within the Devils’ 5-0 victory. After the win, the Devils posted a video of that very same video however photoshopped an “L’ on MSG’s scoreboard.
It has been a disappointing season for the Rangers, who after being Stanley Cup contenders final 12 months may miss out on the playoffs. In the meantime, New Jersey could make a critical run for the Cup this 12 months with Hughes main the cost.
New Jersey Devils middle Jack Hughes (86) is congratulated by teammates after scoring his second aim of the third interval in opposition to the New York Rangers throughout an NHL hockey recreation on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, in Newark, N.J. The Devils received 7-4. (AP Picture/Adam Starvation)
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The Devils’ 49 factors this season are tied for the second-most within the league. The Devils beat the Rangers within the 2023 Playoffs, as nicely.
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