Devils vs Rangers: A Final Chapter in the Hudson River Rivalry

The New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers are set to conclude their 2025-26 Hudson River Rivalry series with a highly anticipated battle at Madison Square Garden. This game promises excitement as both teams look to finish the season strong, despite differing playoff aspirations. Read on for a comprehensive game preview.

Mercer Sets New Devils Iron Man Record

Tonight marks a historic night for Devils forward Dawson Mercer, who will play in his 402nd consecutive game, surpassing Travis Zajac’s franchise record of 401. This incredible streak highlights Mercer’s dedication, durability, and consistent performance since the start of his rookie campaign in 2021-22.

“I feel like it just flies by. Five years goes by pretty quick since I first got here to Jersey in my first season,” Mercer said. “It’s been special being able to go out there every night, have fun and help my team win. It’s crazy how quick the years go and that I’m already at that milestone right now.”

Team Updates and Injury Report

The Devils held a morning skate at Prudential Center before heading to New York. All expected players participated, with a focus on the status of rookie winger Arseny Gritsyuk. Gritsyuk, who has missed the last three games with an undisclosed injury, was on the ice but didn’t participate in full drills.

Head coach Sheldon Keefe expressed optimism about Gritsyuk’s recovery: “He seems like he’s close. They’re pretty encouraged. He got out on the ice a few days ago and wasn’t expecting to do much but felt good. He came off the ice having done a lot more than they had planned on allowing him to do because of how he felt. That’s positive. He’s probably closer to a return than we thought earlier. We’ll take our time with it.”

Lineup Adjustments

The Devils are making some adjustments to their bottom six forwards. Nick Bjugstad will move up to the third line, shifting Dadonov to the fourth. This change is aimed at revitalizing a line that has struggled since Gritsyuk’s injury.

“Since Gritsyuk has gone down, we’ve had some tough nights from our bottom-6 quite honestly. We need to change that mix,” Keefe explained. “I don’t want to change the other two lines that have been rolling pretty good. Bjugstad has played a lot on the wing. He’s totally comfortable there. We’ll see what that can look like tonight.”

Pesce’s Recovery

Defenseman Brett Pesce (lower-body) is continuing his recovery and working towards a return before the end of the season. However, time is running short. Keefe noted the challenges Pesce faces, including a lingering finger issue from a previous surgery.

Devils on the Upswing

Despite their playoff hopes being dashed, the Devils have shown significant improvement, posting a 9-4-0 record in their last 13 games. This resurgence is largely attributed to an offensive surge, averaging 4.3 goals per game during that stretch. The return of Jack and Luke Hughes to full health has been a key factor in this offensive explosion.

Rangers in Retool Mode

The New York Rangers are currently undergoing a “retool” and find themselves in last place in the Eastern Conference. They hold the third-worst record in the NHL and are positioned to potentially select a top-3 pick in the upcoming NHL Draft. They are currently playing 11 of 13 games at home, but have a 2-3-1 record in the first six of that stretch.

Key Players to Watch

Devils: Jack Hughes has been exceptional since returning from the Winter Olympic Games, racking up 27 points (10 goals, 17 assists) in 16 games.

Rangers: Rookie Adam Sykora has made a strong first impression, scoring two goals in his first three NHL games.

Injury Report

• Devils: Gritsyuk (undisclosed), Pesce (lower-body), Noesen (knee), MacEwen (upper body)
• Rangers: Rempe (IR, thumb), Quick (undisclosed)

The Devils and Rangers will face off at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night. The Devils are looking for a series sweep after winning the previous two matchups 6-3.

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