Wild win for Devils over Rangers; Zajac ailing

It wasn't exactly your typical Devils' victory.

They built a 5-1 in the second period only to see the Rangers storm back to tie it at 5-5 on Ryan Callahan's goal with 8:42 left in the third. Just when it appeared the Devils would fold, they bounced back.

Patrik Elias scored only 11 seconds after Callahan's goal and the Devils went on to a wild, 8-5, victory tonight at Prudential Center.

"I lost my hair tonight," Devils coach Brent Sutter said. "I was going bald before. I'm really bald now. It was one of those games. It was a big win."

The Devils defeated the Rangers for only the second time in their last 11 regular season meetings and first time this season. Their eight goals matched the most they have ever scored against the Rangers and equaled the most Henrik Lundqvist has ever allowed in a game.

The Devils last scored eight goals on the Rangers in an 8-2 victory on March 25, 1987. The only other time they did it was in an 8-5 win on Dec, 2, 1986.

"It was a wild one," Elias said. "I'm glad we stuck with it and came through at the right time,"

I'll have more on the game later.

***

Travis Zajac was shaken up on the big hit from Dan Girardi he took 1:20 into the second period and the fight that followed and played only one shift in the third period. Sutter was not sure if Zajac would be able to play in Saturday night's game against Buffalo.

"We'll see what he's like tomorrow," Sutter said. "I'm hoping so, but we'll see how he feels tomorrow."

Zajac said that he thinks he'll be OK to play Saturday.

***

Sutter would not say if he would start Scott Clemmensen in net again Saturday or go with Kevin Weekes. He was asked if Clemmensen would need a night off after giving up five goals on 36 shots tonight.

"That's a trick question," Sutter said laughing.

Comments

[Craigwell]

Give Weekes the nod. I think Clemmenson will start to trail off a bit if we keep riding him.

[Puckster]

I hope Zajac is okay. He's been on fire lately. He said he was okay for tomorrow night on TV during the post-game interview.

[Robbie]

TG isn't Langenbrunner suspended for a game for his fight in the third period?

[95-00-03]

6 points away from the top with 6 games in hand. Whoever says they saw this coming after the injury bug can predict tomorrows lottery number too.

I am in Devils fan heaven right now and am enjoying every minute of this. Can't wait till tomorrow night!

GO DEVILS!

[Tom Gulitti]

I believe that's only if you get an instigator in the final five minutes, which Jamie did not.

[DP]

doesnt sound like zajac is playin tomorrow so hows this sound:

elias-zubrus-gionta
parise-rolston-langenbrunner
pandolfo-madden-clarkson
rupp-holik-whoever

[Pat D'Amico]

I'm sooooooooo glad I was at this game, too bad Vrana is on waivers he could fill in for Zajac tomorrow.

[DH]

DP, that sounds right, except Brookbank will play for Whoever. I have a hunch Zajac will play though.

[Kellyn]

That...was...EPIC!!! When the Rangers tied it up I almost threw my remote at the television screen but I just couldn't bring myself to turn it off and ten seconds later Elias tied it up! How awesome is it that they not only won the game, but stymied the Rangers bid for a comeback, won every fight, and lit Henrik Lunqvist up for eight goals in the process? I know it's only one game, but I think this victory says a lot about the team as a whole. After Brodeur got hurt almost everyone thought the Devils would fold like a cheap lawn chair and for the first couple of games it looked like they were right but ever since that five game skid and that one game in Pittsburgh they've played like world beaters.

[DP]

TG, do you think sutter would have rolston take zajac's spot tomorrow night if he cant go or what do you think?

[Mike]

Lunquist was TERRIBLE tonight! He let up huge rebound after huge rebound. His defense did nothing to help him but he was very sloppy himself. Clemmenson was not much better but he isn't supposed to be. I firmly believe that the Rags are a bad team without Scott Gomez.

[JerseyLove]

I loved Sutter's little smirk at the end of the game.

My only complaint, besides giving up the lead, was the Madden line. They made me cringe in fear every time they were out there.

[Pearl Jammed(RJ Arditti)]

Great win, i was there.... good stuff all around, actually watching Rangers in 60 right now for more flavor and to see the spot where i threw up a little in my mouth in the 3rd.... Mike is right Lundy was aweful tonight, he did not have much help though either... and at the end of the 2nd and the 3rd Clemmer was pretty sloppy as well.... but how about Redden -4 on the night seems well worth signing him and not being able to keep dubinsky now huh?

I think Weekes should get the nod its not like Clemmer was outstanding tonight and if i were to give him a grade i think i might have to give him a C...... he let in 2 softies at least

i guess we don't want to trade Zajac anymore this week?

[Pearl Jammed(RJ Arditti)]

oh one more thing Rolston was BRUTAL tonight, he just had an aweful game all around, and has looked aweful since coming back.... guy needs to find his game in the worst way otherwise i would use Holik to Center the big line....

[Dark Prince]

@ Mike

So, now the Rags are banking everything on Gomez now? Ha, they need to stop centering their lives on one player, its already starting to be their downfall.

Lundqvist was pwned tonight plain and simple and shows what a weak goalie he really is when exploited.

This game was awesome tonight, a shame the Rags tried to save themselves, but the Devils just outworked them in every way. I hope Zajac can play tomorrow night, I don't want to see any chemistry broken now. Incredible win.

[Jim B]

I was at this game, one of the best games i have ever been too, it was a great finally being able to taunt henrik

[Evans]

jim b

i felt great taunting henrik sucks with no voice left in the 3rd.

[Salvatore from Garfield]

What was with all the BS calls and non-calls tonight?? I saw Holik throw his bottle pretty hard in the box... I'd be pi$$ed too! Can't believe he got the interference call on that, and the slash on parise wasn't called! Who was obstructing the ref's view on that one?!

[Mike]

Dark Prince-

Your homerism is shining through - Lundqvist had a bad game but he is far from a weak goalie. It was great to see the devils light him up tonight.

[DH]

Who can complain? The team is playing great and we should enjoy it.

Zajac has stepped up and tonight may be the pinnacle of his physical play. He can keep his job...for now. Seriously, I am glad he is helping the Devils instead of floundering.

[Pearl Jammed(RJ Arditti)]

anyone know if its dollar dog night tommorow night

[Brodie30]

This game just solidified why it's so easy to hate the Rangers. - Their first goal by Naslund is within the realm of error where sometimes it counts and sometimes it doesn't. I do have to complain that it seems like usually counts for the Rangers and rarely for the Devils. The reviewed goals against NJ are evidence of that. Refs were completely in the tank for NY as always. - Girardi was cowardly in that "fight" with Travis (good hit though). Came in early without squaring up. The first two fights were perfect examples of fighting with class. On the plus side this is the first game I've seen where Ryan Callahan didn't take a dive. Or maybe I missed it. I was going to make fun of Zherdev for throwing a party for making the game 5-2, but I guess he's clarvoyent.

I think Bryce had a great game. There was some running around, but his early hits set the tone and he anticipated very well. Clem fought the puck tonight. Luckily for him the goalie on the other end was even worse. This game was right out of the 80s. (besides all the tacky penalty calls).

Someone needs to explain to me how a team that got dominated as bad as the Rangers did (like I said, Clem fought it) gets 8 powerplays to our four. The NHL is turning into the NBA.

["Dr. D" David Schultz]

Is naslund gonna play in the next fifa world cup?

[Puckster]

Yes, tomorrow night is $1 hotdog night.

[Frankie D]

Rolston was terrible. I don't want that to rub off on Parise. If Zajac can't play, stick Holik there. He played well with them in the 3rd, even had an assist.