The Rangers got goals from Brandon Dubinsky, Dan Girardi and Ryan Callahan in the second period and lead the Devils 3-0 in the third period tonight at Madison Square Garden.
The Devils outshot the Rangers, 19-12, in the second period, but could not break through against Henrik Lundqvust, who has made 29 saves so far.
Callahan scored with 4:54 left in the second period to up the Rangers' lead to 3-0.
Well, that was pretty dumb by David Clarkson with 9:48 left. I'm not sure why Sean Avery even got a penalty out of that. It was pretty obvious Avery wasn't going to fight there. He was fortunate that it wasn't a four-minute power play for the Rangers.
Avery showed his frustration by slamming the penalty box door.
Two Rangers fans were just fighting each other in the stands.
***
Scott Gomez made a good play faking a shot before passing across to Callahan, who was the late man joining the rush as Sean Avery drove to the net. Callahan let go a wrist shot from the right circle that beat Martin Brodeur high to the stick side.
Dan Girardi scored 6:39 into the second to make it 2-0 after Brandon Dubinsky scored 4:35 into second period to open the scoring.
On Dubinsky's goal, it looked like the intial right point shot by Girardi never made it to the net, It hit Dubinsky in front and he lifted it over Martin Brodeur, who had gone down and had to roll to his right to try to make the save. That goal came on the Rangers' 24th shot of the night.
Girardi scored from the right cicle during a 4-on-4 situation that followed a wrestling match between Bobby Holik and Scott Gomez.
There's a lot of pushing and shoving after the whistle tonight.
Paul Martin looks mixed up tonight.
Henrik Lundqvist had to come up with his best save of the night -- a left pad stop on Brian Rolston's shot from the left circle and then stopped Bobby Holik's slap shot on the rebound with his right pad at 3:10.
The Devils appear inten
The Rangers outshot the Devils, 20-10, in the first period. That's 110 shots the Devils have surrendered after over their last seven periods plus 3:36 of overtime Friday in Chicago.
The Devils probably won't win this game if they play two more periods like that one.
Martin Brodeur was sharp again.
The 20 shots matches the season-high for the Rangers in a period. They also had 20 shots in the second period of their 5-2 win over the Devils on Nov. 12 at Prudential Center.
***
Interesting starting line for the Devils with Brian Rolston, John Madden and Bobby Holik. I'd be surprised if that trio stays together all night, though. I think Rolston was just filling in for Mike Rupp on the opening shift.
Never mind. I guess I'm wrong on that.
Rupp centered Brendan Shanahan and David Clarkson for that line's first shift.
There were big cheers for Sean Avery when his name was announced in the Rangers' starting lineup -- actually louder than the cheers for Henrik Lundqvist.
Mike Mottau knocked down Avery when Avery tried to get past him at the Devils' blue line.
Avery had his butt right in Martin Brodeur's face on that first Rangers' power play. Avery got his stick in Brodeur's face and Brodeur got his stick bcak in Avery's face during that exchange.
Interesting exchanged between Colin White and Nik Antropov on those roughing minors.
Good left pad save by Brodeur on Derek Morris' shot from the right point at 10:03. The Rangers have 10 shots already. The Devils have five.
Avery apparently was willing to fight with Mike Mottau there, but backed away when Motttau approached.
Jamie Langenbrunner and Scott Gomez were also tangling a little after that whistle with 2:08 left in the first.
That was a good hit by Marc Staal on Zach Parise.
***
Here are the starting lineups for tonight's game between the Devils and the Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
DEVILS
Forwards: Brian Rolston-John Madden-Bobby Holik. Defensemen: Colin White-Mike Mottau. Goaltender: Martin Brodeur.
RANGERS
Forwards: Sean Avery-Scott Gomez-Ryan Callahan. Defensemen: Wade Redden-Derek Morris. Goaltender: Henrik Lundqvist.
***
Pre-game warm-ups are underway for tonight's game between the Devils and the Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
This is the final regular seaso meeting between the Devils and the Rangers this season. The Devils lead the season series, 3-2. They've won the last three games between the teams, all with Scott Clemmensen in net.
Martin Brodeur, who lost 4-1 to the Rangers in his only appearance against them this season on Oct. 13, will start in net for the Devils tonight. Henrik Lundqvist will start for the Rangers tonight.
The Devils have lost four in a row (one in overtime) overall and four consecutive road games. They are 3-6-1 in their last 10 road games.
The Devils lead Philadelphia by six points for first place in the Atlantic Division and are in third place in the Eastern Conference, one point behind second-place Washington.
The Rangers are 1-2-1 in their last four games. They are in seventh place in the East, three points behind sixth-place Pittsburgh, one point ahead of eighth place Montreal and two ahead of ninth-place Florida.
One young female Rangers' fan was holding up a sign that read, "We miss you Shanny" during warm-ups;
Here's the Devils' lineup for tonight's game.
Forwards: Zach Parise-Travis Zajac-Jamie Langenbrunner; Patrik Elias-Dainius Zubrus-Brian Gionta; Brendan Shanahan-Brian Rolston-David Clarkson; Mike Rupp-John Madden-Bobby Holik.
Defensemen: Johnny Oduya-Paul Martin; Colin White-Mike Mottau; Bryce Salvador-Niclas Havelid.
Goaltender: Martin Brodeur.
Healthy scratches: LW Jay Pandolfo, D Andy Greene, D Jay Leach.
Injured: none.
LETS GO DEVILS!!!
Posted by: Tim | March 30, 2009 at 06:36 PM
i still have faith. they can definitely beat them tonight! LETS GO DEVILS!
Posted by: jasiu | March 30, 2009 at 06:38 PM
Play a solid 60 minutes and make your fans proud!!!!!!!!
GO DEVILS!
Posted by: Devilsfanforeva! | March 30, 2009 at 06:38 PM
This game is huge to right the ship and not to mention the fact the Rangers could easily play us in the first round we need this for confidence and to help the Raggots forget last year. Let's hope this isn't the 5th consecutive loss to a playoff team.
Posted by: JPL | March 30, 2009 at 06:39 PM
There is no team I dislike more then the Rangers. Let's continue their losing streak, and help them miss the playoffs this year unlike last! Let's go Devils!
Posted by: Nick | March 30, 2009 at 06:45 PM
Alright let's hope they play a solid 60 minutes. We need to play like were hungry to win and can't let the Rangers get momentum.
Posted by: Robbie | March 30, 2009 at 06:57 PM
This game can turn it all around for us. We win this one and attitude and confidence will be back. They need to come out fired up. DEVILLLLS
Posted by: Matt Block | March 30, 2009 at 06:58 PM
The Devils need to come out tonight and play a solid 60 minutes. During this four-game losing streak, the Devils have gone through stretches where they played terrible hockey. Both of these teams are fighting for position in the playoffs, and I think right now the Rags are a little more desperate. Will the Devils come out and meet their energy tonight? They haven't been able to do that for the past four games, and hopefully they come out tonight flying around. "King Henrik" has looked like a mortal in the last few meetings, and the Devils need to pressure him early and often.
LET'S GO DEVILS!
Posted by: AJ | March 30, 2009 at 07:03 PM
Rangers can clinch with a win huh? We better win and if we do they have to win 3 of their last 5 to clinch. I really don't want to hear it from my gym teacher tomorrow too if we lose. GO DEVILS!!
Posted by: Robbie | March 30, 2009 at 07:08 PM
are the bottom 2 lines switched or wats up with that starting line?
Posted by: dp | March 30, 2009 at 07:09 PM
The Devils have to play smart hockey as well. Guys like Holik can't be taking stupid penalties.
Posted by: AJ | March 30, 2009 at 07:11 PM
No they can't clinch with a win, Robbie.
He was just saying if the Rangers win tonight, they will most likely not make the playoffs. And then if they lose tonight and win 3 of their last 5 they will probably make it.
Most likely the Rags will not clinch until their last game, if they do make the playoffs.
Posted by: Nick | March 30, 2009 at 07:12 PM
Once again, Marty has to be sharp at the start of the game. I hope we're not going to see another 40+ shot game.
Posted by: AJ | March 30, 2009 at 07:14 PM
LGD!!!
Posted by: PariseScoresAgain | March 30, 2009 at 07:14 PM
Not liking this start
Posted by: Nick | March 30, 2009 at 07:15 PM
Why don't we dive like that??
Posted by: Nick | March 30, 2009 at 07:17 PM
Beautiful hit by Oduta on Gomez!
Posted by: Henrik L | March 30, 2009 at 07:19 PM
Nick, I gotta agree with you. The Devils first and second shifts were great - aggressive, pressing the Rags on the forecheck. They've been outplayed the last few minutes by the Rags and, even with the dive, they've been able to drive the net early and often.
Posted by: AJ | March 30, 2009 at 07:20 PM
I meant Oduya of course
Posted by: Henrik L | March 30, 2009 at 07:22 PM
I score that dive a 9.0. I guess they whined enough about the Pens game and got a call
Posted by: JPL | March 30, 2009 at 07:23 PM
Scores from judges on that dive just came in: 9.0 8.5 9.0
Posted by: Jeff in Hoboken | March 30, 2009 at 07:23 PM
Devils just have to weather the first 10 minutes. The Rags will have spent their wad by then.
Posted by: Nieds27 | March 30, 2009 at 07:24 PM
Can Versus stop focusing on Sean Avery 24/7?
Posted by: Nick | March 30, 2009 at 07:24 PM
The first 8 or so minutes the Devils don't look as good as they have. They are being outshot 9-4. You can't let up 9 shots in the first 8+ minutes. Your going to have issues no matter who you are. I understand they were shorthanded for 2 minutes but still.
Posted by: Drew | March 30, 2009 at 07:25 PM
What were the penalties?
Posted by: Nick | March 30, 2009 at 07:25 PM