Rangers Break Devils Streak At MSG
In the previous 19 games the Devils had played at Madison Square Garden, the visitors had come away with at least a point. In the past 42 regular season games between the two clubs the Rangers have registered just an 8-28-15-1…all with Martin Brodeur in net. And with the Rangers #1 netminder Kevin Weekes sidelined with a groin injury, and the Rangers coming off a disappointing 3-2 loss to the Capitals, the home team was attempting to take home the two points on the back of rookie Henrik Lundqvist making just his second NHL start.
To say the stage was set for a remarkable game, would have been an understatement.
Once again the Rangers got off to a good start, putting pressure on the Devils defense with a strong forecheck, and leading the way in shots early in the period. It wasn’t necessarily either however that gave the Rangers the first goal. Martin Rucinsky skating in along the boards to the right of Brodeur proved the old adage “throw the puck at the net and good things will happen” true when, faced with little alternative, he let a wrist shot go and beat Brodeur along the ice.
Just seventeen seconds later and the Rangers brought the MSG crowd to their feet when Jed Ortmeyer separately pressured two Devils players to force the puck into their own zone and ultimately causing a turnover, allowing Ville Nieminen to backhand a bouncing puck over the shoulder of Brodeur. The Rangers suddenly had the momentum, and it wasn’t long before they capitalized once again, again off of a turnover.
Jason Ward, who had a strong game at both ends of the ice, forced a turnover in the Neutral zone and Martin Straka skated his way towards the net to get a soft shot off. Brodeur was unable to control the rebound, and Blair Betts tapped in the puck as both he and Ward drove to the net for the loose puck. The Rangers finished out one of their best periods in recent memory with a 3-0 lead, with goals from 3 separate lines…none of them featuring Jaromir Jagr.
The home team eased off in the second, managing just four shots on goal and it was now up to Henrik Lundqvist to prove his worth. The young netminder looked nervous at times, but played strong positioning and was a perfect 8 for 8 on Devils shots in the second period.
It wasn’t until the third period that the Devils finally were able to break through. With both teams skating four aside, the Rangers missed the opportunity to clear the puck out of their zone, ultimately allowing former Ranger defenseman Vladimir Malakhov to get a slap shot on net, which Lundqvist was unable to gain control of. Brian Gionta, clearly the best Devil on the night, beat Tom Poti to the loose puck and was able to reach around the post to tap in the loose puck to pull his team back within two.
The goal clearly gave the Devils some life, but the Rangers and Lundqvist weathered the storm. Jaromir Jagr sealed the game midway through the period with another of his patented wrist shots on the power play, as he looked off Brodeur and beat him to the short side. Jagr commented after the game that he was always happy to beat Brodeur, the best goaltender in the world.
Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur also added his thoughts, saying the Rangers had gotten out to a lead and then played “good Devils hockey”, to seal the game.
Notes: Marek Malik returned to the line-up after a one game absence due a sore groin. Bryce Lampman and Ryan Hollweg were sent down to allow for the return of Jason Strudwick and the call up of Al Montoya, who backed up Lundqvist on the night.
The Rangers next game will be 7:00pm at MSG v Atlanta this coming Saturday