The New Jersey Devils continued their dominance over the New York Rangers this season, securing a resounding 5-0 victory and rubbing salt in the wound with a playful jab at their rivals. The Devils' recent win served as a backdrop for a lighthearted troll, highlighting the contrasting paths of two former top draft picks.
Five years ago, the Devils and Rangers held the first and second overall picks in the NHL draft, respectively. The choices were clear: Jack Hughes for New Jersey and Kaapo Kakko for New York. Interestingly, during the Rangers' draft party at Madison Square Garden, fans applauded the Devils' selection of Hughes. Whether this was due to a preference for Kakko or simply not wanting to be torn between the two remains a topic of debate.
Since then, their trajectories have diverged significantly. Hughes has blossomed into a star player, while Kakko's time with the Rangers didn't meet expectations, culminating in his trade to the Seattle Kraken earlier this month. Monday's game marked the Rangers' first encounter with New Jersey since the trade, and the Devils, along with their fans, seized the opportunity to poke fun at their rivals.
During the game, the Devils displayed a video on the scoreboard of Rangers fans applauding the Hughes pick. The camera then focused on Hughes, who was seen enjoying the moment. Hughes went on to score two goals in the Devils' decisive victory. Following the game, the Devils shared the same video on social media, but this time with a photoshopped "L" added to the MSG scoreboard, further emphasizing the Rangers' loss.
This season has been a disappointment for the Rangers, who are in danger of missing the playoffs after being Stanley Cup contenders last year. In contrast, the Devils, led by Hughes, are positioned for a strong playoff run, currently tied for second-most points in the league.
