The New York Rangers have struggled mightily at home and were hoping some time away from Madison Square Garden might help. That didn’t prove the trick as they lost to the Calgary Flames 5-1 on Sunday. It was Calgary’s first win in regulation all season.
The Rangers saw goals scored by some familiar foes as Calgary features quite a number of former New Jersey Devils players, just like last season’s cup winning Florida Panthers squad. Yegor Sharangovich and Kevin Bahl each scored their first goals of the season. Sharangovich was acquired in the offseason after the 2023-24 season in exchange for Tyler Toffoli. Meanwhile, Bahl came over last offseason as part of the package that included a first round pick for goaltender Jakob Markstrom.
Former Devil Blake Coleman would score twice against the Rangers with seven shots on net. His first goal was a shorthanded goal -- the first such goal New York has given up all season. He would add an even strength goal later in the period. Michael Backlund earned assists on both.
Coleman was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning to strengthen their bottom six during the 2019-2020 season en route to two consecutive cups. He signed as a free agent in Calgary to a six year deal before the 2021-2022 season. The Texas native was drafted in the third round and spent the first three and a half years of his career in New Jersey, most notably as a part of the 2017-2018 playoff team that featured Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall. Speaking of Hall, Bahl was originally acquired by the Devils as a part of the trade that same season that sent to Taylor Hall to the then Arizona Coyotes.
In his three seasons in New Jersey, Sharangovich scored six goals and five assists against the Rangers. Surprisingly Blake Coleman, who was a bright spot on those post 2018 playoff teams until his trade, didn’t have similar success. He only scored four goals and one assist against the Rangers during his time in a Devils jersey.
Next up the Rangers visit the Vancouver Canucks. The Canucks don’t have any former New Jersey Devils foes like Calgary. If Devils fans get their wish, it’s only a matter of days before Quinn Hughes joins his brothers in the red and black.
After that they play the Edmonton Oilers. Curtis Lazar takes a back seat to Adam Henrique, who has his own special place in the history of the Hudson River Rivalry, in the billing of former Devils playing alongside Connor McDavid and company. Henrique scored the overtime goal against the Rangers in the Eastern Conference final that sent New Jersey to the 2012 Stanley Cup final, a fact Devils loves love to remind their blue shirt frenemies about. The Rangers have lost three straight games. Meanwhile across the river the Devils have won eight straight.