The New Jersey Devils have dominated their Hudson River rivals this year, and had another win to celebrate outside of their 5-0 victory over the New York Rangers.
More than five years ago, the Devils and Rangers, respectively, had the first and second overall picks in the NHL Draft, and the picks were simple.
It was long assumed that Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko would be the first and second picks that year, and that’s exactly what happened.
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New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) and New York Rangers right wing Kaapo Kakko (24) line up for a faceoff during a game between the New York Rangers and the New Jersey Devils on May 18 November 2023 at Prudential Center in Newark. , New Jersey.
However, that night, during a Rangers draft party at Madison Square Garden, Rangers fans applauded the Devils for selecting Hughes, either because they preferred Kakko or because they were torn between the two players and not They wanted to be divided between the two. for discussion.
Well, the two players have had very opposite tenures on their respective teams. Hughes has emerged as a Calder Trophy candidate, while Kakko not only failed to live up to expectations, but the Rangers also traded him earlier this month to the Seattle Kraken.
The two foes met in Newark on Monday, and it was the Rangers’ first game against New Jersey since they traded Kakko, and the Devils, and their fans, had a field day.
New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period of an NHL hockey game on Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, in Newark , New Jersey. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
At the scoreboard, the Devils played a video of one of the aforementioned Kakko celebrations by Rangers fans, and the camera immediately panned to Hughes, who couldn’t help but laugh.
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To add insult to injury, Hughes scored twice in the Devils’ 5-0 victory. After the win, the Devils posted a video of that same video, but photoshopped an “L” into the MSG scoreboard.
It’s been a disappointing season for the Rangers, who after being a Stanley Cup contender last year could miss the playoffs. Meanwhile, New Jersey can make a serious Cup run this year with Hughes at the helm.
New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) is congratulated by his teammates after scoring his second goal of the third period against the New York Rangers during an NHL hockey game on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils won 7-4. . (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
The Devils’ 49 points this season are tied for second-most in the league. The Devils also beat the Rangers in the 2023 Playoffs.
