If it had been a prize fight, they would have stopped it early. On a day when Peter Laviolette made Chris Kreider a healthy scratch, the Rangers were no match for the Devils in a 5-0 laugher at The Prudential Center in Newark.

Once again, Jack Hughes did whatever he wanted against the Rangers, scoring twice and setting up the Devils’ third power-play goal of the game. In two lopsided meetings in December, Hughes has six points (4-2-6) versus the Rangers in a pair of Devils’ victories. His game-breaking speed and skill have been too much for them to handle. Hughes has taken his game to a new level by buying into Sheldon Keefe’s more structured defensive system by even becoming an effective penalty killer to make the Devils even more dangerous shorthanded.

Making matters worse for the Rangers, the Devils trolled them during a stoppage in the third period by mocking the recent departure of former 2019 second pick Kaapo Kakko. Kakko never lived up to expectations after being the consensus second overall pick. He was supposed to be the consolation prize behind Hughes, who the Devils wisely took with the top pick. While Hughes blossomed into a star, Kakko struggled to establish himself as a Blueshirt.

Despite a good start to the season, in which he posted four goals and 10 assists while finding chemistry with Filip Chytil and Will Cuylle, he criticized Laviolette for scratching him against the Blues on Dec. 15. After playing one final game against the Predators, Kakko was traded to the Kraken on Dec. 18 for Will Borgen, a third and sixth round pick in 2025.

With Kakko gone, it doesn’t explain the lack of passion the Rangers are playing with. They don’t play with much energy or consistency. Opponents are allowed to roam free in the offensive zone and get high danger chances without paying a price. Defense has become optional for the Rangers. The lack of attention to detail has left both Igor Shesterkin and Jonathan Quick out to dry for most of the first 34 games. On Monday, it was Quick who was victimized by the Devils for five goals on 29 shots. It marked the 10th time the Rangers gave up five goals or more in a loss. Four have come in December and six over the last 15 games, dating back to a 6-2 loss to the Oilers on Nov. 23.

How uncompetitive were they in the second meeting of the season against their close Hudson rival? The Rangers only managed to register 12 shots on goal. Jacob Markstrom had his second consecutive 12-save shutout, with the Devils previously blanking the Penguins 3-0 on Dec. 21. They’ve suddenly become a dominant defensive team by allowing fewer shots against opponents. A stark contrast to how they played under former coach Lindy Ruff.

There weren’t many players who competed hard enough in the final game before the Christmas break. Vincent Trocheck gave up some size in a fight with Paul Cotter less than four minutes in. Cotter used his strength to get the better of Trocheck, who fought valiantly. However, it wasn’t a good tradeoff for the Rangers due to losing one of their best players.

A bit later, Timo Meier got away with a cross-check on Artemi Panarin, which led to a scrum. During it, Panarin went back at Meier for the cheap shot. Each received matching roughing minors. Stefan Noesen also went off for hooking Mika Zibanejad to send the Rangers to the power play. Without either Panarin or Trocheck, they had a different look on the top unit. Both Filip Chytil and Will Cuylle joined Zibanejad, Adam Fox, and Alexis Lafreniere.

Already down a goal due to Hughes surprising Quick with a wrist shot that squeaked past him short side, the power play failed to produce a single shot. Cuylle missed on a deflection. The second unit came on for a brief shift late. Jonny Brodzinski, who filled in for Kreider, joined Reilly Smith, Adam Edstrom, Brett Berard, and Zac Jones. It looked about as out of sync as one could expect.

With the Rangers still down a goal, Sam Carrick showed some heart and guts by giving up a lot of size to battle Brenden Dillon. No stranger to the rough stuff, Dillon had the reach advantage in an entertaining scrap. It was mostly even until Carrick came on late to get the knockdown. Each went off for five minutes for fighting with less than a minute remaining in the period.

Dawson Mercer took an undisciplined cross-checking minor on Urho Vaakanainen 25 seconds into the second period. To be honest, Mercer was lucky he didn’t receive more for that penalty. Instead, the Rangers had a two-minute power play which they didn’t take advantage of. After the first unit accomplished nothing (like Groundhog Day), Edstrom had a deflection stopped by Markstrom. Jones also had a follow-up knocked away.

Back at even strength, the Rangers took the first of two bench minors for delay of game. It was the second straight game they got caught with too many men on the ice. Somewhat predictably, the Devils cashed in thanks to Timo Meier, who buried a one-timer off a pretty Dawson Mercer feed to make it 2-0.

Even when they were put on another power play, the Rangers couldn’t do anything against a stingy Devils penalty kill. Fox got one shot right on Markstrom and then missed on a bank attempt. Following coincidental minors between Berard and Jonas Siegenthaler, the Rangers again had one too many skaters on. The absurd lack of discipline led directly to Hughes scoring on the power play to increase the Devils’ lead to 3-0.

Despite getting another power play on a Devils’ bench minor, the Rangers managed only four shots in a dismal second period. They had a game total of nine shots through 40 minutes. By that point, I’d already checked out and went to the gym. Why should we waste our time watching these guys when they can’t be bothered to put forth the effort? They are an embarrassment and aren’t worth watching.

In the anticlimactic third, Lafreniere had his back turned when Noesen was allowed to slam home his career high 16th goal on a nice feed from Nico Hischier to make it 4-0. During this futile stretch, Lafreniere has disappeared since signing his contract extension. He later took a bad penalty by slashing Siegenthaler in the offensive zone. Of course, the Devils scored yet another power-play goal when Mercer was allowed two whacks at a loose puck to finally beat an incensed Quick for the Devils’ fifth goal. Quick’s reaction summed it up well. Nobody ever picks anyone up in front of the net.

At this point, it’s like a broken record with this team. They play as if they are lifeless. Could minor leaguers do any worse than them? It’s bad enough that Chris Drury ruined the season with his shenanigans. What about playing for themselves and for Laviolette? Where’s the sense of pride?

The Rangers deserve coal in their stockings for Christmas. If not for the Sabres, who are run like a minor league operation, they’d be the laughingstock of the league. It’s unbelievable how in less than a year they went from winning the Presidents’ Trophy and losing to the Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final to becoming one of the league’s worst teams. Forget the 16-17-1 record. That’s generous. Anyone who’s seen them play knows the 12-4-1 start was mostly due to the brilliant goaltending from Shesterkin and Quick. They were living on borrowed time.

Not even the biggest Rangers hater could have predicted this. I hope Kreider returns and plays when hockey returns for the Florida trip. If you believe Larry Brooks of the New York Post, they aren’t actively looking to trade him. If Laviolette wanted to send a message, shouldn’t have been Zibanejad that sat out? Every game he plays is a disappointment. Who cares if he’s sensitive. Sit his ass against the Lightning or Panthers. Or send him home to Sweden to go deejay.

Well, look at the bright side. The World Juniors starts up on Boxing Day. Finally, there will be some real hockey to watch. Pray that whatever prospect they select next draft doesn’t get ruined.