The New Jersey Devils are heading to Madison Square Garden for a showdown with the New York Rangers, and fans are buzzing with anticipation. This historic rivalry has been a staple of the NHL calendar, and after their first clash this season, the stakes are high.
In their previous meeting on March 7, the Devils secured a commanding 6-3 victory, thanks in large part to Jack Hughes' stellar performance. Hughes notched his fourth career hat trick and racked up four points, marking the Devils' first regular-season hat trick against the Rangers since Scott Gomez achieved the feat back in 1999.
Reflecting on the rivalry, Hughes shared his excitement: "When you're looking at the schedule, you're looking for Devils-Rangers," he said. "Great rivalry, great fanbases, fun to go in the Garden, fun here with a lot of Rangers and a lot of red, too, Devils fans, I enjoy playing in these games. It's a game you circle on the calendar and want to be a part of."
Since his return from the 2026 Winter Olympics, Hughes has been on fire. He recently became the fastest player in Devils history to reach 400 points, achieving this milestone with three assists in a 4-3 victory over the Boston Bruins.
Hughes aims to continue his impressive run against the Rangers, against whom he has tallied 32 points in just 24 games. The Devils have been in strong form, finishing a seven-game homestand with a 5-2-0 record and winning six of their last eight.
On the flip side, the Rangers are also in good shape, having won five of their last seven games. With 11 of their next 13 games at home, including a seven-game homestand, they're poised to make a strong push.
As the Devils and Rangers prepare to face off again, fans can expect an electrifying game. The Devils will be looking to extend their winning streak, while the Rangers aim to even the season series. It's classic NHL action at its best, and you won't want to miss it.