Rangers and Devils win big in 2024 Stadium Series

New York Rangers winger Artemi Panrin sent thousands of Rangers fans into a frenzy after he capped the team’s unbelievable comeback with a goal just 10 seconds into overtime on Saturday, Feb. 17 (Photo Courtesy of Jason Szenes/Getty Images).

The 2024 NHL (National Hockey League) Stadium Series did not disappoint, providing NHL fans with two thrilling rivalry games played at the Metlife Stadium in New Jersey. In the opening game of the series, the New Jersey Devils defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 6-3 on Saturday, Feb. 17. The next day, the New York Rangers met the New York Islanders in another divisional matinee. The Rangers went on to defeat the Islanders in an electrifying 6-5 overtime matchup. This entry of the Stadium Series was a rousing success for the NHL, with a combined 150,000 fans packing the seats of an exuberant MetLife Stadium. 

The Devils didn’t waste any time in the opening matchup as center Nico Hirchier scored on a breakaway just 32 seconds into the game off an assist from winger Ondřej Palát. The goal was the fastest in Stadium Series history, and the second-fastest goal to start an NHL outdoor game in the league’s history. The Devils quickly took advantage of this early momentum as winger Tyler Toffoli blasted another shot past the Flyers goalie, Samuel Ersson. 

Philadelphia cut the deficit to one with winger Owen Tippett rifling the puck past Devils’ goalie Nico Daws at the 7:43 mark in the second period. Defenseman Brendan Smith restored New Jersey's two-goal lead after he capitalized on a rebound 16 minutes into the period. The Devils weren’t done, though, as winger Nathan Bastian sniped one past Errson’s glove later in the period. Tippet scored his second goal of the game on the powerplay to make it 4-2 in favor of the Devils at the end of the second. 

New Jersey captain Nico Hirschier opened up the third and final period with his second goal of the night. Winger Jesper Bratt and defenseman John Marino added the second assist on the Devils’ fifth goal of the night. Philadelphia answered with a goal from an unlikely source, as defenseman Nick Seeler ripped one past Nico Daws to lessen the team’s deficit to two goals. A late empty net goal from Batisian cemented New Jersey’s Stadium Series victory. 

Bastian and Hischier both chipped in two goals apiece and Daws made 45 of 48 saves for a .938 percentage to guide the Devils to their 28th win of the season. With the Devils’ victory, they now stand only two points out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Rangers and Islanders game started quickly, as defenseman Erik Gustafson scored one minute and 28 seconds into the game. The Islanders, however, answered in rapid succession with center Brock Nelson scoring from the slot. The Isles scored two more goals in just 16 seconds off the sticks of centers Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal. The score remained 3-1 with the Islanders on top after the first period. 

In the opening minutes of the second period, Islanders winger Anders Lee deflected a shot past Shesterkin to make it a 4-1 game. Despite being down three goals, the Rangers continued to fight with center Vincent Trocheck scoring two goals in the second frame to trim the Islanders' lead to 4-3. The first goal came on the powerplay as Trocheck deflected Rangers winger Artemi Panarin's wrist shot that got through goalie Ilya Sorokin. Trocheck’s second goal was all hard work and perseverance as he and Rangers’ winger Alexis Lafreniere battled for the puck in the front of the crease until Trocheck grabbed possession and slammed it into the back of the net.

It seemed like the Rangers' comeback was all for naught as Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov took advantage of a generous bounce to rip a shot past Shesterkin— extending the squad’s lead back to two goals. The Rangers harnessed their team’s mantra of “No Quit in New York,” after two power plays from winger Chris Kreider and center Mika Zibanejed tied the game at five goals apiece. The Rangers built off that momentum in overtime with Panarin ending the game with a trickling wrist shot that just passed the goal line before the net became dislodged. 

Trocheck and Panarin each had three-point games fueling the Rangers' unbelievable comeback. Igor Shestkin made 36 saves in the Rangers' 36th win of the season, which also happened to be their ninth third-period comeback of the season. 

With both games being high-energy and high-scoring, the NHL’s 2024 Stadium Series lived up to its high expectations all around. One can only hope future events do the same as the league continues to expand its fanbase through exciting initiatives such as the annual Stadium Series.