NEW JERSEY—The Devils and Rangers met up Monday night at the Prudential Center in another cross-river rivalry that promised to have its share of grit.
Coming into the game, the Devils led the Rangers by six points in the Atlantic Division race. They added to that lead by defeating the Blueshirts 3–0 in front of a boisterous home crowd.
New York (29–20–5) was coming off an embarrassing 10–2 loss in Dallas Friday night and this loss added fuel to fire, putting them on a five-game losing streak.
Through a scoreless first period, both teams brought the usual tenacity that’s become part of this heated match-up, resulting in two fights.
In the first period, David Clarkson knocked down the Rangers Mark Reitz but the Blueshirts would get a knockdown of their own in the second period as tough guy Colton Orr caught Mike Rupp off balance with a strong right hook that sent the 6-foot-5-inch Devil to the ice.
The Devils were the first to score and they would be the only team to do so.
With about eight minutes left in the second period, two former Rangers hooked up as Bobby Holik, assisted by newly acquired Brendan Shanahan, sat in front of the Rangers net and quickly shot the puck through the legs of Rangers netminder Henrik Lundqvist.
Seconds later, Brandon Dubinsky was called for holding, resulting in a New Jersey power play. Devils All-Star winger Zach Parise would take advantage and put the Devils up by two, assisted by Travis Zajac and Jamie Langenbrunner.
In the third period, both teams fought a defensive battle and the Rangers poured on the pressure. But the Devils are masters at playing with the lead and were able to withstand and pull through with the win.
In the waning seconds of the game, Zach Parise struck again with an empty netter, putting the Devils up 3–0 for a final score.
For Parise, it was his 32nd goal and inched him closer to the goal-scoring leader in the NHL, five behind Washington’s Alexander Ovechkin.
Devils goalie Scott Clemmensen had a great game, facing 27 shots, and getting his first shutout of the season.
The Rangers failed to score on five power plays opportunities.
Coming into the game, the Devils led the Rangers by six points in the Atlantic Division race. They added to that lead by defeating the Blueshirts 3–0 in front of a boisterous home crowd.
New York (29–20–5) was coming off an embarrassing 10–2 loss in Dallas Friday night and this loss added fuel to fire, putting them on a five-game losing streak.
Through a scoreless first period, both teams brought the usual tenacity that’s become part of this heated match-up, resulting in two fights.
In the first period, David Clarkson knocked down the Rangers Mark Reitz but the Blueshirts would get a knockdown of their own in the second period as tough guy Colton Orr caught Mike Rupp off balance with a strong right hook that sent the 6-foot-5-inch Devil to the ice.
The Devils were the first to score and they would be the only team to do so.
With about eight minutes left in the second period, two former Rangers hooked up as Bobby Holik, assisted by newly acquired Brendan Shanahan, sat in front of the Rangers net and quickly shot the puck through the legs of Rangers netminder Henrik Lundqvist.
Seconds later, Brandon Dubinsky was called for holding, resulting in a New Jersey power play. Devils All-Star winger Zach Parise would take advantage and put the Devils up by two, assisted by Travis Zajac and Jamie Langenbrunner.
In the third period, both teams fought a defensive battle and the Rangers poured on the pressure. But the Devils are masters at playing with the lead and were able to withstand and pull through with the win.
In the waning seconds of the game, Zach Parise struck again with an empty netter, putting the Devils up 3–0 for a final score.
For Parise, it was his 32nd goal and inched him closer to the goal-scoring leader in the NHL, five behind Washington’s Alexander Ovechkin.
Devils goalie Scott Clemmensen had a great game, facing 27 shots, and getting his first shutout of the season.
The Rangers failed to score on five power plays opportunities.
Friends Read Free