When the New York Rangers jumped to a 2-0 series lead, it looked like yet another upset was brewing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Fast forward five games, and the Rangers' season has crumbled to an end after losing 4-0 in Game 7 to the New Jersey Devils.
The Devils completed the incredible series comeback with a gritty performance on their home ice at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Goals from Michael McLeod, Tomas Tatar, Erik Haula and Jesper Bratt were enough to get the home team over the line and into the second round of the postseason.
But the true story of the game was New York's offense—or lack thereof.
After scoring a combined 15 goals in their three wins in the series, the Rangers were completely shut out, failing to take advantage of their four power-play opportunities.
Also key was the incredible performance by goalie Akira Schmid, who came up huge in big-time moments with 31 saves.
New York goalie Igor Shesterkin had an impressive performance of his own with 20 saves, but he wasn't given enough goal support.
Rangers fans and hockey Twitter were going off about New York's lack of offense in the biggest game of their season.
Boomer Esiason @7BOOMERESIASONCan't keep wasting PP chances. Win a dam face off….<a href="">#NYR</a>
Forever Blueshirts @4EverBlueshirts<a href="">#NYR</a> have been overmatched and overwhelmed from about the 1 minute mark in. It's looking really bleak.
Murls @mattmurley19<a href="">#NYR</a> are back to playing with zero jam and <a href="">#NJDevils</a> are moving on. Two goals scored from the mixer, weird.
Jonny Lazarus @JLazzy23The <a href="">#NYR</a> scored PP goals in 3 games this series, they won all 3. <br><br>They failed to convert in the other 3 games on the PP, they lost all 3. <br><br>Tonight, they have yet to score a PP goal. <br><br>Feels like an NBA team living and dying by the 3-Pointer.
Boomer Esiason @7BOOMERESIASONHorrific effort by the <a href="">#NYR</a> started by casual Fox on the PP that ended up as a shorty for the Devils. Devils wanted it way more then the high priced <a href="">#NYR</a>. <a href="">#obvious</a>
Greg Kaplan @BlueshirtsBreakIt would be a shame, a real shame, if the Rangers started helping Igor by playing some offense.
Kyle Hall @KHallNYThe Devils have dominated this game since the opening draw. They just wanted it more tonight. Igor is the only player that showed up tonight <a href="">#NYR</a>
Boomer Esiason @7BOOMERESIASONShutout by a rookie? <a href="">#NYR</a>
Steve Gelbs @SteveGelbsThe Rangers didn't deserve to win this series. Not even close. The Devils were (and are) the better team. A lot of soul searching to come this off-season.
Frankie Borrelli @FrankieBorrelliFor the 82nd time in 83 years, the New York Rangers have been eliminated 🤣 no matter how bad the Isles have been in my life, the Rangers have failed just as much. So much failing. Just can't get that leg up. For a fanbase that talks the most shit ever, that's tough. Real tough
After reaching the Eastern Conference Finals last year, the Rangers will have plenty of questions to think about this offseason, as they didn't come near the same point in 2023.
And that's despite making win-now moves like trading for stars Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko.
Meanwhile, the Devils advanced out of the first round for the first time since 2012 when they lost in the Stanley Cup Final. They'll play the top-seed remaining in the Eastern Conference in the Carolina Hurricanes.
