It was an absolute shock to Jonas Siegenthaler that he was a healthy scratch for Game 2 against the New York Rangers. As a matter of fact, it took him by surprise.
“It was shocking, to be honest,” Siegenthaler said after Game 2.
However, Siegenthaler redeemed himself after being reinserted into the lineup for Game 3 as he played the role of hero in Game 4 as the Devils evened their series with the New York Rangers.
After Vincent Trocheck tied the game at 1-1, the Devils responded with a great response as they have always done this year. At the 11:40 mark of the third period, the Devils retook a lead they would never squander. It was started by a great play by Siegenthaler in his own end.
The Devils transition game had been great in Game 4. Jonas Siegenthaler led the rush up the ice getting the puck over to Dougie Hamilton who sent Nico Hischier up the ice into the attacking zone. Hischier entered the zone and sent a pass to Siegenthaler entering the zone late. From there Siegenthaler skated into the circle and ripped a shot past Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin.
“I knew as a D-man you have to move up and join the rush,” Siegenthaler said post-game. “I saw a hole and just tried to jump in there. Nico made an incredible play to me. I wasn’t alone in front of the net, but almost. So, I just tried to shoot it low glove. And it went in.”
It was not the first time in the game Siegenthaler led the rush up the ice.
On the opening goal scored by Jack Hughes, it was Siegenthaler who sent Hughes up the ice on a breakaway to give the Devils an early 1-0 lead. The Devils were pinned into their own zone as Akira Schmid was under pressure. Schmid first a shot from Kaapo Kakko and then Alexis Lafreniere. But with Siegenthaler in the right position, he beat two other Rangers to the puck and lifted out to the neutral zone to send Hughes on his way.
Siegenthaler was more trying to get the puck out of the zone rather than create an offensive play.
“I just tried to get it out to be honest,” Siegenthaler said. “I tried to flip it over the Rangers player and luckily (Hughes) was there.”
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As he has been all season for the Devils, Jonas Siegenthaler was being defensively responsible in his own zone. And was rewarded for his play all night long.
Not only did Siegenthaler admit it was a good night for him, his teammates and coach noticed it as well.
“We love that,” said Jack Hughes grinning to reporters post-game. “That’s playoffs, everyone needs to chip in and Siegs, I think he had one-and-one, that’s a huge game by him, just driving us.”
Siegenthaler knew being a scratch for Game 2 was not fun at all. Regardless of what you thought of the scratching. It had more to do with Brendan Smith entering the lineup and not Luke Hughes. But Siegenthaler learned a valuable lesson that he needed to be better.
“It wasn’t that fun the second game. I learned from it,” he said. “I went over my first game. Clearly, I had to be more physical, a little harder. That’s what I’m trying to do out there, be physical, be skating and be hard to play against.”
Even Lindy Ruff saw improvements in his game.
“His whole game (was better),” head coach Lindy Ruff said. “Getting up with the play. His physicality down low. A lot more assertive. He gave us a heck of a game tonight on both sides of the puck.”
However, his performance in Game 4 gives the Devils confidence moving forward that he should be a mainstay in the lineup.
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