Obviously, the focus tonight is on Sean Avery-Martin Brodeur despite the more pressing issues for both teams of desperately needing the two points - the Rangers to keep pace in the playoff hunt while the Devils need to reverse their four-game losing streak.
But John Tortorella sees a much more pressing need - better play in the neutral zone. Having seen far too many odd-man rushes and open space in the middle, Tortorella is slowing the game down for his defensemen. No longer are they going to be asked to pinch so much in the neutral zone. Instead, Tortorella has recognized it may be too much too soon in implementing that part of his system, so he's going to back off until training camp next season.
"It's a process and I don't think we have enough time right now," Tortorella said.
As for the defense, rookie Corey Potter will be paired with Paul Mara (natch) while the other two pairings - Marc Staal-Dan Girardi and Wade Redden-Derek Morris remain intact. Also, keep an eye on how much time Mara-Potter actually receive.
More switching on the lines:
Avery-Scott Gomez-Ryan Callahan
Nikolai Zherdev-Chris Drury-Nik Antropov
Fredrik Sjostrom-Brandon Dubinsky-Markus Naslund
Lauri Korpikoski-Blair Betts-Colton Orr
In Zherdev and Naslund, you have two wingers who normally play on the left, though Naslund has played on the right enough times this season.
"I think players should be able to play both sides and some will, whether they like it or not," Tortorella said.
Check below for updates. Also, please remember this Ranger blog is in a must-win situation against Tom Guletti's Fire and Ice. We've been out-commented in the previous five this season and this is our last chance to earn two points.
PRE-GAME UPDATE: In the category of this could mean something, or might not, just saw NHL Deputy Commissioner walking to his seat. Probably just taking in a game after a day at the office. Or is he?
OPENING FACEOFF UPDATE: Gomez's line starting for Rangers, meaning Avery's on the ice. Let's see what happens.
UPDATE, 1:00 First period: Avery's first shift: Mike Mottau knocks him down at the Devils blue line with a clean shoulder check. Avery then drives Mottau into the boards with a clean body check. Nothing in the crease.
UPDATE 4:35 First period: Avery's second shift: He tries a wraparound at Brodeur's left post and Mottau slides down to body him away, then flops on top of him.
UPDATE, 8:42 First period: Forget what I wrote above about Antropov playing the left. Other way around, Antropov on right with Zherdev playing the left.
UPDATE, 13:38 First period: Needless to say, but this is much better for the Rangers both offensively and defensively than in Pittsburgh, more so defensively. Rangers have kept the play in the Devils end for the most part and are outshooting NJ, 13-6. Wade Redden just pinched up nicely for a good chance around the crease and there was support behind, even though Brodeur gloved the shot.
UPDATE, 17:52 First period: The bulk of Avery's battles tonight have come against Mottau, not Brodeur.
AFTER FIRST PERIOD: Excellent first period for the Rangers, all that was missing was a goal. Their 20 shots (the Devils took 10) represent a season-high, the third time they've reached 20 in a period this season, including in the second period of their 5-2 win at New Jersey on Nov. 12.
UPDATE, 4;15 Second period: Henrik Lundqvist makes his two best saves on a bang-bang play. Stopping Brian Rolston from the left wing on a break, then turning aside Bobby Holik.
UPDATE, 4:35 Second period: The Mar-tee, Mar-tee chants begin as Brandon Dubinsky, with Brodeur prone and trying to throw up his glove, shoots high into the net for a 1-0 lead. Dan Girardi with a point shot from the right that doesn't get through, though Fredrik Sjostrom, in the slot, touches the puck to Dubinsky. A very timely goal because momentum was definitely going New Jersey's way in the early going.
UPDATE, 6:39 Second period: Nik Antropov makes a slick play, keeping the puck alive off Brodeur's stick and tapping it back to Dan Girardi, who scores his fourth goal of the game with a one-timer from the slot.
UPDATE, 11:46 Second period: The two goals, of course, make a difference but this has been a very entertaining period of hockey. A little bit of everything (except, you know, for a goal for the Devils). Physical, fast-skating, up-and-down the ice.
UPDATE, 15:06 Second period: Sean Avery just made his best play of the game, blocking Paul Martin's clearing attempt from the Devils' blue line and turning it back up ice to Scott Gomez, who fed Ryan Callahan in the slot for a 3-0 lead. This is why we write that Avery's hockey skills are sometimes underestimated.
AFTER SECOND PERIOD: The Rangers managed three goals on 12 shots after going scoreless on 20. The Devils obviously have struggled of late - staring at their season-high fifth straight loss - but it's not like they've played awfully this game. The Rangers are just - finally - putting a fairly complete game together, so far. And, having learned my lesson about jinxing the team in Atlanta, I will write no further on that. I will say that the Rangers defensemen are having a particularly strong game, obviously chipping in offensively but being really strong around Henrik Lundqvist and getting the puck up ice quickly. I've liked Corey Potter, I've really liked Staal and Girardi.
UPDATE, 3:06 Third period: Credit to Colton Orr for not being whistled there, putting the Rangers on the power play as Mike Rupp gets called for roughing.
UPDATE, 10:12 Third period: C'mon now, let's admit it. Sean Avery must be a b%ch to play against. He just drove David Clarkson insane by refusing to fight, getting Clarkson kicked out of the game as he repeatedly threw Avery down. Clarkson gets a double-minor for roughing and a 10-minute misconduct. Avery gets a roughing call for being thrown around like a rag doll, then retreats to the penalty box and shakes the glass he slams it so hard.
FINAL: RANGERS 3, DEVILS 0: The Rangers earn a well-deserved day off after what I'd consider their most complete game since John Tortorella took over. And I think a huge part of it was Tortorella and Jim Schoenfeld recognizing the defensemen couldn't produce what the coaching staff wanted to see in terms of pinching up constantly in the neutral zone. So Torts, to his credit, backed off, something he admits he made a mistake with last season in Tampa Bay, where he pushed his young team too hard in the expectations of what they could handle. Next season, when he's got them through training camp, he can do more of what he wants. Now, his best move was to adapt his coaching style to his players capabilities.
It's sort of a shame but so much attention gets paid to Sean Avery-Marty Brodeur (and yes, I'm blaming us media types here) that I think the overall team effort by the Rangers gets lost in the mix. And it shouldn't because, to me, the overall team effort was the story.
The Rangers, by the way, reached 40 victories for the fourth straight season. That's a first for the time since 1970-74.
The trick now, of course, is to translate this effort into Thursday night at Carolina, and Saturday afternoon at Boston, and next Tuesday at the Garden against the Canadiens, and Thursday at MSG against the Flyers and the following Sunday at Philadelphia to close the season. It can't be one game on, one game off.
"It's just a matter of concentration," Tortorella said. "With a little bit of pressure taken off of having so many reads when we are pinching in the neutral zone, it's going to help our club. It's going to make a simpler game for us. Tonight, we just wanted to play a simple game against the Devils."
Funny scene in the hallway after the game. Former teammates and close, close friends Scott Gomez (wearing nothing but a towel) and Bobby Holik were laughing it up over their second-period scrap, which earned them both roughing penalties. Holik was tugging on Gomez pretty good behind the net with Gomez down on the ice and the big Czech on top of him. My Record compatriot Tom Guletti, though, tells me Holik said he had no clue he was wrestling with Gomez. Instead, he thought he had Avery in his grip. Like I said, the two of them shared a pretty good laugh over it.
Lets get the all important comment win tonight, and the two points would be nice as well.
LGR!
Posted by: Mark | March 30, 2009 at 06:53 PM
They need to get in fatso's face early and often tonight and win this one. The rest of the schedule was just shown on VS and it is a bit scary the way they have been playing. Of course-they could turn it all around with a big win tonight against their rivals and spur some momentum for the last stretch run. LGR!!!!
Posted by: Keith | March 30, 2009 at 07:10 PM
Was that Potter on the PP? What the?...
Posted by: Keith | March 30, 2009 at 07:20 PM
Lots of shots coming the Rangers way right now, just keep them coming have to get Marty to start flopping around.
Posted by: Mark | March 30, 2009 at 07:26 PM
Nice hit by Gomez-he is flying tonight
Posted by: Keith | March 30, 2009 at 07:29 PM
Marty looks sharp tonight so Hank better bring his best
Posted by: Keith | March 30, 2009 at 07:36 PM
Staal looks good tonight hitting people all over, blocking a Shanny shot, and I love when he brings the puck through the neutral zone.
Posted by: Mark | March 30, 2009 at 07:42 PM
Yeah that hit was nice-he needs to do that again to Parise-he can't bang like that. I have to say that if I had to pick one Dman I want NY to get it would be NJ's Martin. That guy is solid
Posted by: Keith | March 30, 2009 at 07:47 PM
Not gonna lie, I think we got away with a few, and Travis Zajacs penalty was really really sketchy. Too bad they didnt convert
Posted by: Shannys Ghost | March 30, 2009 at 07:51 PM
Did Marty think Drury chopped the stick out of his hand. Versus of course gave us one replay, didn't look like he did, just Marty flopping around.
Posted by: Mark | March 30, 2009 at 08:19 PM
I think Zherdev should have gotten a dive. And i don't mean to throw our boys under the bus, but if we're gonna win, i'd rather it be clean.
Posted by: Shannys Ghost | March 30, 2009 at 08:22 PM
Everyone looking great besides for Redden. The guy just isn't an Nhl Dman anymore.Potter has looked really good. Girardi has had a strange year. He piled up points early went nearly 40 without one and now has 5 points in the last 3-4 games. Sweet as hell move by Antropov on Girardi's goal.
Posted by: graves9 | March 30, 2009 at 08:24 PM
Shanny needs to retire he's done. Who's Shanny's Ghost? A troll?
Posted by: graves9 | March 30, 2009 at 08:28 PM
Ryan Callahan how can you not love this guy?
LGR!!!!!!!
Posted by: Mark | March 30, 2009 at 08:29 PM
Nice play by Avery with the pass and then driving to the net(drawing attention from a Devs dman) Cally is scoring 30 goals next year book it!
Posted by: graves9 | March 30, 2009 at 08:33 PM
Does anyone know where I can find out how many years left the players on NY's roster have on their contracts? Cally has a ways to go I think but he may be due for a little bump at the end of the year-he is really doing well and right when it counts. Good call GRAVES9-Potter looks solid back there and that's why I was a bit confused as to why they brought up Sauer instead last week. Of course-hindsight is 20/20
Posted by: Keith | March 30, 2009 at 08:42 PM
I also have to give Hank a big thumbs up so far-great game. He loves to play NJ-I just wish he would play Pitt like this. By the way I am interested to know who everyone who's on the blog picks for the most hated rival? I say Pitt hands down-can't stand those guys-followed closely by NJ
Posted by: Keith | March 30, 2009 at 08:44 PM
Keith- I think my teams that I hate in order would be Pittsburgh, Devils, Flyers, and when the Islanders get better they will be back in the top 3. Even though I hate them I hope they don't move to Kansas City.
Posted by: Mark | March 30, 2009 at 08:49 PM
Mark-I agree with that last comment-I don't want them moving to KC either. I'm glad I am not the only one that hates Pitt-
Posted by: Keith | March 30, 2009 at 08:57 PM
Way to go Colt sticking up for Staal. Rupp is pretty tough though-and he's got a reach advantage. They've fought a couple of times
Posted by: Keith | March 30, 2009 at 09:00 PM
That PP was PATHETIC! What the heck is wrong with Mara recently?
Posted by: Keith | March 30, 2009 at 09:02 PM
Bad penalty by Z-no reason to do that
Posted by: Keith | March 30, 2009 at 09:03 PM
Lovin Avery right now. He is playing a great game just hitting and doing what he does. This is the Avery they need to show up every night. It seems Torts convinced him-he was really close to punching Clarkson it looked like but he stopped himself. Don't think he should have done any time in the box
Posted by: Keith | March 30, 2009 at 09:24 PM
Yes!!!!!!!! I love it-maybe they will give Lundy some Vezina love again this year-he certainly deserves to be in the running. He only has 3 shutouts but the team has not been as solid defensively as last year either to be fair
Posted by: Keith | March 30, 2009 at 09:31 PM
You guys couldnt out-do TG's Fire and Ice Blog on your best day...sorry
Posted by: Fire and Ice | March 30, 2009 at 09:58 PM