Devils return to Newark for pivotal Game 5 (updated)

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Updated at 8:24 a.m. April 28, 2023: The New Jersey Devils dominated the April 27 matchup with the New York Rangers, 4-0.

Read our pregame story below, originally published at 2:52 p.m. April 27, 2023.

The Devils/Rangers First Round NHL Stanley Cup Playoff matchup returns to the Prudential Center in Newark April 27 in a much different place than it left last week, after the New Jersey Devils won both games at Madison Square Garden in New York to even their best-of-seven series at two.

Following a resurgent regular season and a return to the playoffs for the Devils – their first appearance since 2018 – the New York Rangers quickly rained on the parade, deflating raucous fans who rocked the Prudential Center as the opposing team took Games One and Two, each by a score of 5-1.

But the young and exciting Devils rebounded on the road, led by superstar Jack Hughes and newly inserted rookie goalie Akira Schmid, to take Games Three (2-1 on Saturday) and Four (3-1 on Monday) at a hostile MSG.

That sets the stage for a critical Game Five Thursday, back in Newark, that makes for a best-of-three series to advance to the next round of the playoffs.

“They took two in our building, so we wanted to come in here and even the series up,” said Hughes after the Game Four win. “We’ve been a really good road team all year. We’re going to bring that same effort and come back and have a really good Game Five at home.”

“We’ve been good at home all year. We’ve got great fans here,” said Erik Haula on Thursday before Game Five. “We didn’t play our best last time. So, we’re excited to put on our best game tonight and really get the fan base behind us.”

This week, Devils Head Coach Lindy Ruff said that the team is exactly where they want to be.

“We got a game at home, and we’re excited about being back in our own building again,” he said.

Lucky charm?

As NJBIZ has reported, Eric LeGrand’s LeGrand Coffee House is a partner of the Devils, after the Rutgers legend’s business was selected for the Devils Buy Black Partnership, sponsored by Prudential Financial. As part of that affiliation, the Devils have donned the LeGrand Coffee House logo on their helmets for road games this year—including for their two playoff road wins at MSG.

LeGrand posted his support for the team on social media throughout Games Three and Four, pointing out that the team is undefeated in the playoffs while rocking the LCH logo on their helmets.

“Did you know that in the 40-year history of the @NJDevils, they have never lost a playoff game when the LeGrand Coffee House logo is on their helmets,” LCH tweeted.

“It was really awesome to see the Devils bounce back with two road wins, especially with the LCH logo on their helmets,” LeGrand told NJBIZ ahead of Game Five on Thursday. “I am really looking forward to the game tonight and the fans packing out The Rock. This season has been so special, and I cannot wait to see more magic tonight.”

LeGrand has also previously nodded to the symmetry between the number of Devils wins this year and the famous figure he donned at Rutgers University: 52.

“Fresh off a franchise record 52 wins, the puck drops tomorrow for the 2023 @NJDevils playoff run,” LeGrand tweeted before Game One. “To celebrate history being made in our first season as partners with the Devils, we are pleased to introduce the Devil 52. Come by and try our Cherry Mocha today at @LeGrandCoffee.”

Beginning at 4 p.m. April 27, a Fan Fest is being held at the Championship Plaza in Newark for pre-game festivities to get fans even more charged up for Game Five. The Devils say every fan will get a Rally Towel and ask spectators to be in their seats at 7:15 p.m.

With a sea of waving towels and screaming fans set to rock The Rock, the puck drops at 7:30 p.m.