By Ryan “The Goose” Gosiker 

Each new season rings in new hope and hype for every fan base around the NHL. Hockey, more than the other major sports, is a year-to-year sport, meaning teams rebound quicker and compete more frequently. Often, we hear in the NFL or the NBA or MLB, how teams need to tank for years and collect talent. In the NHL, one draft or offseason can change the franchise and bring them back to relevancy. One rivalry in the NHL that never needs any extra motivation is the NY Rangers versus the NJ Devils. That rivalry was renewed for the first time in the 2023-2024 season this past Saturday in Newark. The game was back and forth throughout before the Rangers took home the win, 5-3. Devils star Jack Hughes was returning from his shoulder injury and Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin returned to the ice as well. That should tell you all you need to know about how important these games are to the players. The Devils defeated the Rangers in 7 games in the first round of the playoffs last year. Both teams and fanbases don’t like each other. I was in attendance for this game. The play was fierce and the hitting was hard. Bodies were flying everywhere. Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba was hitting everything and everyone in sight. The Devils were down to 9 forwards after 2 periods. Hughes scored an early goal as Shesterkin shook off his rust as the game progressed. It was a great, intense hockey game between two teams that hate each other. When you log on to social media, each fanbase starts to claim that these matchups don’t matter and that each side doesn’t care. For some that is true, but you cannot watch the replays from the game and say the fans there didn’t care. Rangers and Devils fans holding hope with each offensive zone attack and reacting to goals like it was Game 7 as players celebrated like it was Game 7. This is was makes a stellar rivalry. It doesn’t matter if they play in the backyard or down the street or at Prudential or MSG. It means something. It always means something, always has and always will. Don’t let your friends tell you the games don’t matter because they do and the play on the ice reflects that. Rivalries are a ton of fun. Embrace them and enjoy the friendly banter. Then, enjoy a drink afterwards and go back to life as normal. Rivalries are what makes sports enjoyable and bring out the most passion from fans everywhere. I am a Devils fan, and despite the loss, I am grateful I got to experience the environment firsthand. Check out my sports show: “Game Time with The Goose” every Saturday from 8:00 to 9:00 AM on WTBQ AM 1110 FM 93.5 and on WGHT Radio with co-host Zach Kruk, Sports Director of WTBQ and WGHT!