Broken Doors, Broken Teeth, Broken Sticks, Broken Serve

A playoff game finally broke out after a game and a half of dull hockey that Jaromir Jagr likened to a tennis match. Tempers began to flare as friends became combatants, Scott Gomez mixing it up with Jamie Langenbrunner. Agitators ran goalies while goalies antagonized agitators. Zach Parise was spitting chiclets after crosschecking Christian Backman's stick with his mouth. And up in the stands, security guards had to wrestle rival fans out of the building for pelting each othe with beer, popcorn, and taunts.

The Rangers had to have been happy that the intensity level was down for the first game and a half. And they had to be happier that once it ratcheted up, they were up to the test -- on the physical side of the ledger, they more than held their own during all the nastiness in the second period; on the scoreboard, they took a stranglehold in the third period on goals by Jaromir Jagr and Sean Avery less then thirty seconds apart after 44 minutes of scoreless hockey; and most importantly in net, where a passing of the torch is happening right in front of our eyes, Henrik Lundqvist somehow rejecting a bushel of sure goals while future Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur flinched again (with help from his friends).

Even the brand spanking new arena that Ranger fans are starting to call their home away from home couldn't stand the strain, a penalty box door breaking in the first period, causing a lengthy delay, and a red light staying lit at the start of the second period -- the only way the Devils can get one lit, joked Joe Micheletti on the Rangers' cablecast. The Devils did finally break Lundqvist's shutout in the final moments with a goal, but in a strange turn of events, that goal proved to be their undoing in the game, and may prove to be an even greater undoing as the series shifts to Madison Square Garden for Sunday's Game 3.

It was the best of goals, it was the worst of goals -- worst for Ranger fans because it conjured up images of Chris Drury's game tying goal with 7.7 seconds left in regulation a year ago that snatched victory from the Rangers' jaws and ended in defeat just when it looked as if the Rangers could upset the mighty Sabres. But it was the best of goals, given the positive result when the the game clock finally ran out with the Rangers hanging on to a 2-1 win. Within the context of the game, the goal gave the referees reason to finally start calling out the Devils for their illegal play.

The scoring play starting with interference off a draw by Jamie Langenbrunner and John Madden, Madden taking advantage of dumping Chris Drury to beat him to the net to deflect the puck through Lundqvist's pads after Langenbrunner's interference on Brendan Shanahan kept him from getting to the point to defend the shot that generated the rebound that led to the goal. The Devils got another scoring chance off another draw when Langenbrunner committed interference again. Shanahan complained to the officials during a play stoppage, and the next time Langenbrunner did it (to Shanahan again), the referee finally made a call. The penalty evened up the manpower situation, with the Devils having pulled Brodeur in favor of a sixth skater.

And it was a good call, for a change -- the Devils had been given leeway to pick, interfere, hold sticks, even have too many men on the ice all game long. The Rangers were not granted the same benefit wherever there was a doubt. The sense of entitlement the Devils had was evident already when Dainius Zubrus questioned with incredulity a hooking call against him after he had hooked Michal Rozsival four times as the Ranger defenseman tried to skate the puck out of the zone. They had already gotten away numerous times with interference off draws, getting a goal off one instance. So how dare the referees suddenly reverse course and enforce a rule properly?

Then it looked as if Blair Betts hooked Paul Martin a moment later. But looks can be deceiving -- Betts had one hand on his stick, and his stick only seemed to slow Martin down when Martin pulled it into himself with his elbow. It may very well have been an infraction, but the stick-holding the Devils had gotten away with all game long came back to bite them, the referee perhaps believing that Martin was trying to draw a penalty there. Devil coach Brent Sutter broke a stick on the ice and lashed out (no call against him), and after the game even questioned the enforcement of a longstanding rule that a botched icing call is faced off at center ice (in an obvious mistake, icing was whistled against the shorthanded Devils).

But there is more to what happened in the final two minutes than the Rangers finally getting a break from the officials and holding on for the win that gives them a 2-0 series lead, having broken serve by winning Games 1 and 2 on the road. The strange turn of events allow the Devils to continue to turn a blind eye to their own shortcomings and pass blame elsewhere, as they are so fond of doing while the Rangers continue to shower them healthy respect. In their minds, they would surely have tied this game and won it in overtime -- never mind that that would have meant matching their goal total of the first 119 minutes of action in the final minute plus overtime. They wuz robbed! And that means they didn't lose because the Rangers have been more patient, more opportunistic, more humble, and more importantly, better in net.

Lundqvist was simply amazing in this game. There was a four-shot sequence in the middle of the first period where he was just a wall (I actually counted five shots and saves). There was another goal mouth scramble that ended with Lundqvist stopping the puck on the goal line with his pad that was validated by video review. And there was more -- it was amazing that anything got by him at all the way he was playing. But the one goal he allowed may even prove to be a boon if it gives the Devils false hope they seem to have drawn from it and from the refs turning against them in the end.

Way too much in the papers and on the web to try to sort it all out for you (sorry!) so we'll just have to log the links by venue (in as many cases as possible, the links for each venue will be ordered by most Rangercentric first): Daily News here and here, Journal News here and here, Newsday here, here, and here, Post here, here, and here, Times, Record here, here, and here, Star-Ledger here, here, here, here, and here, Toronto Sun, AP here and here, MSG.com, NY Sports Day, NYR.com, and NJD.com. Reporters' blogs: Blueshirts Blog here and here, Blue Notes here and here, Rangers Report, Slap Shot, and SI.com's FanNation. Henrik Lundqvist was the NHL's third star of the night (here too). Elsewhere, the Wolf Pack won -- see the Courant and Howlings -- and Prospect Park reports on Ryan Hillier's game- and series-winning goal.

Comments

[E]

"Zach Parise was spitting chiclets after crosschecking Christian Backman's stick with his mouth."

you've gotta be kidding dubi...i am a huge ranger fan but i would say with 100% certainty that Parise did not want to get crosschecked in the face and lose his teeth. that comment is almost as bad as anything chico resch says.

[marty from rfc]

A somewhat unsolicited mea culpa here but I'm pretty impressed with how well our defensemen our handling the puck in our own zone. Given the amount of time the puck has been in our zone, I would have thought there'd be more turnovers by our defensemen - glad I'm wrong (doesn't hurt that Henrik has been at the top of his game when there have been turnovers/we've been beaten to the puck). Bodes well for the future as I'd say at least four our defensemen will be wearing Ranger jersey's next year.

Also think the 4th line has done a decent job of cycling the puck down low, forcing the Devils to play in their own end a bit.

With our win safely in the books (and Dubi's comment on the interference duly noted), I have to say the Elias to Madden goal was a smart hockey play as its been very tough getting the puck through to the net, particularly late in the game with the defense collapsing. A redirect from the high slot catches the defense and the goalie moving and gives the puck a better chance to get through. I wouldnt be surprised to see Rangers try the same (ie. Dawes to Drury) at some point in the playoffs.

[oleosmirf]

i must say the Rangers really should implement the wraparound more often. Mary Brodeur is always looking to poke check the puck leaving him either vulnerable on the stick side or the 5 hole.

Plus we all know how much trouble he's had stopping wraparounds against us...

[Jed Orts]

Alllll you are going to hear about last night's game is the horrible officiating in the last minute from D-fans. Please. It doesn't help that your team has an inability to put the puck in the net.

one thing that stick's out from last night's game that may be of concern:
rangers' defense needs to hit the net. it felt like a lot of times the d was shooting and just completely missing. if a couple of those shots go on net, who knows what happens

flyin' ryan callahan is a beast. he is just everywhere on the ice and in the devils' face every shift. tremendous player

Game 3 rangers need to be at their best, the devils are going to come into the garden and put everything on the line. they do NOT want to go down 3-0 with another game to go at the official madison square garden (the rock is the unofficial garden) rangers need to be ready to match the devils' desperateness tomorrow night

PS. i want to ride the rangers playoffs bus haha

[Dubi]

E -- Yes, I'm kidding -- you know, like the old joke about how I must have really hurt his fist with my nose?

[t-ditty]

that "cross check" woulv've never happened if parise didnt try to cgarge him....and keep his body bent low to backman....backmans stick never came up higher than chest level

[t-ditty]

he got the penalty he deserved but thats it...no malice...next time parise will think twice

[Jed Orts]

why was backman's penalty a double minor? i thought only blood warrants a double minor, not missing teeth
maybe they just missed it on camera

[E]

haha, sorry dubi, i know how much you love this team so i thought you were getting carried away there for a sec.

[tim aries]

2 wins thats great! But what is wrong with our forwards?
Are they getting paid to play defense only, why can't they stay in the devs end awhile? i am really surprised how little time we cycle in the offensive zone. Anyway the D- men and Hank are carring us so far, the forwards should take these guys out to dinner.

[Jed Orts]

i'm curious to see how the rangers will play down by a goal or two. this whole series they have been either tied or leading. i wonder if/how they will change their style of play.

[oleosmirf]

jed orts

you must have missed it cause there was plenty of blood there

tim aries

the Rangers are sacrificing some offense for defense. The Rangers are not talented enough offensively to shut down the devils and play wide open hockey. Something has to give and the gameplan is working so if it ain't broke dont fix it.

[oleosmirf]

let me rephrase that. by talented i mean not enough firepower such as a team like Pittsburgh

[Paul R _ _ _ _ _ d]

I ddn't eeblood either but I figre when you lose teth there is probably someblood, great post Dubi as lways.

[Paul R _ _ _ _ _ d]

correction, I didn't see blood either, but i figure whem you lose teeth...

[wolfgaze]

Dubi, great job with your coverage of this series... It's a pleasure to read these write ups....

[Joe T]

Maybe it's just wishful thinking, but Backman seems to be playing really well. His ability to move the puck is obvious, but his willingness to take a hit to make a play is very encouraging. Also, a couple of times he has initiated some edgy play. Playing at this level warrants his salary in my humble opinion.
Also, there have been times that I have held Hank's feet to the fire, so it is only fair to say here that he is playing at a Cup championship level. I think we really are seeing the torch being passed back across the Hudson.

[rangerbill94]

Let me show you just how stupid this Sutter Sister is. He doesn't like the rule that calls for a center ice faceoff if an official makes a mistake. I assume he thinks the faceoff should be back in the other teams zone? Well, Mrs. Sutter, the faceoff is at center ice because the other team had control of the puck and could have skated the puck out, started a rush or just cleared it. So THEY are punished for giving the puck up and you are punished for not having control of the puck in the attacking zone. But like all Devils, you think the rules are made to favor you and if they don't...you cry. Grow up, take a page from the Rangers and learn how to deal with adversity.

[paulinflorida]

In my opinion the Rangers defensively played a much better game last night than game one. They cleaned up their play in their own zone quite well. Killing off the four minute penalty was a key point of the game and after we went up 2-0 they played very smart 'keep away' hockey. One glaring thing last night was we were not at our best on face-offs which is usually a strong point of our game. We lost a few key face-offs (with some Devils interference also) in the last two minutes which lead to some opportunities for the Devils. I was forced to watch the game on Center Ice and got the Devils feed again. Had to laugh when Kenny Danako made a comment about the Ranger defense and personally insulted Michal Rozsival. He said that Rozsival was the best Ranger defensemen and insinuated 'that's not saying much' referring to him and the rest of the defense. I don't know if that was the exact quote but it was certainly uncalled for....he ought to do some homework and look at some numbers about what the Rangers defense was all about this year....against his almighty Devils and the rest of the league for that matter. Anybody else catch that comment???

[rangerbill94]

Jed Orts

What do you mean, "i'm curious to see how the rangers will play down by a goal or two". You have seen it all season long. They will play the same way.

[tim aries]

Oleosmirf, Ok i understand that point but that means that our transition game is lacking and that is cause for some concern.
i think that will be our achilles heel as time goes on.

[Paul R _ _ _ _ _ d]

good point ranger bill, personally iw ould rather see them play up a goal the entire playoffs, but thats just me.

[marty from rfc]

Joe T - agree on Backman, will be interesting to see if he can keep up the intensity level.

Regarding the passing of the torch, certainly looks that way. I've always wondered why Marty has stayed in NJ all these years; considering he comes from Montreal, I'm surprised he never went to a team with more of a hockey history/tradition (not to mention a few more fans in the arena). But I guess at the end of the day, its a about winning for a professional athlete and the Devils have done their share of that during his time.

[rangerbill94]

Paul R

I agree, but if I'm going to wish...then 2 or 3 up is fine. I think that day is coming, BTW, and it's not that far off.

[Jameson]

I think a team's attitude comes from a coaches attitude and that's the difference. Renney is very professional, Sutter seems to whine and pout whenever something does not go his way. That's hockey, you should know better Sutter.

[Paul R _ _ _ _ _ d]

YUP RB sunday is tomarrow

[Bob Merchant]

And the dumbest quote taken from the Toronto Sun was this

"We can't score goals. That's it," said Madden, who did solve Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist with 83 seconds remaining in the third period to make it close. "We score goals, we turn this thing around."

No kidding, score goals and turn it around? Isn't that the point when any team plays?

[Adam]

Rangerbill I totally agree with you about the rangers scoring some goals very soon. I feel this team has not played to its full potential yet. Our offense I feel can pick it up in intensity. They need to establish more of a forecheck I feel more so in game 3. The one thing I wish they could fix is there power play. Y not try dawes at the point and stick dubinsky or avery right in front of Marty. We need to get more pucks to the net and create more chances when we have the man advantage. Other than that this team has showed heart and a lot of character in these last couple of games. One thing though this series is far from over and we have to keep the foot on the gas and not give them any hope of climbing back into the series. LETS GO RANGERS!

[Paul R _ _ _ _ _ d]

they don't want to admit it but they are fustrated, my wife even saw it in the way they were playing last night, which says a lot cus she wouldn't know a hockey rink from a baseball diamond, speaking of which any updates on the yankee stadium game?

[TommyG]

More musings:

1) Our defense as a whole has been TERRIFIC the past two games. Forwards coming back to back-check, d-men staying with their men, clearing the crease, and being physical when necessary. Add a healthy and focused King Henrik and you can easily see why the Devs are so frustrated.

2) The Devs will have you believe that the officiating in the last 90 seconds of game 2 cost them the game. The reality is that the bad icing call took away an opportunity for the Rangers to get a chance at an empty net and really break their backs.

3) After all their whining and complaining about the refs ( in their own building!!!) do the Devs really think that they're going to get the benefit of ANY marginal calls in MSG???

4) After King Henrik and Scotty Gomez, I would have to say that Ryan Callaghan has been our best player. Watching his game grow this season to this point has been a surprising pleasure...

5) As we go forward to next year, the talent gap between the Rangers and Devs will only grow. I saw the WolfPack play Lowell last week and the Devs prospect cabinet is pretty bare. There is no Wunderkid coming up through their system.

[LisaMY]

Question: It's well after-the-fact but, shouldn't Sutter and Madden been given penalties last night? In fact, shouldn't Sutter have been tossed?

[Jess]

TommyG

5) As we go forward to next year, the talent gap between the Rangers and Devs will only grow. I saw the WolfPack play Lowell last week and the Devs prospect cabinet is pretty bare. There is no Wunderkid coming up through their system.

Well said and I am glad someone else sees that. The Devils based their franchise on their system being keyed by Marty and the defense but there is no replacements there that will allow them to remain where they are.

When the Devils do fall it will be a drastic drop and it will take quite a while to recover.

[Paul R _ _ _ _ _ d]

unless they make trades in which case it may not affect them that much.

[PJ]

Has anyone seen Sanguinetti play for the pack? The Rangers really need a defenseman next year who is an offensive threat and can man the power play. Sure hope Bobby is the answer. If not next year, then the year after. Wonder how he looks at the AHL level?

[LI Joe]

very sweet game to go to for my 1st visit to the pebble. Ranger fans although outnumbered took over the place once we got the lead and after the 4 min pk as well. quite a few forwards were on that pk and whenever possible took very short shifts before the next came on.

after the game the walk back to the train station was especially sweet. and when we were on the platform and the guy came by and announced the train to new york the chanting was loud very loud and very sweet. he wasn’t able to finish the rest of his speech.

the rangers and our fans are the best.

[Matty "Cute but Psycho, things even out"]

Hi everyone,

I've had a fantastic Saturday so far ... manicure, pedicure, a massage, aw a girl needs some pampering now and then and after our win last night I said "Why not?" plus I will be ready to freakout again tomorrow ...

From reading all the links(Thanks Dubi) and articles the Devils truly believe or want us to believe that they feel confident because they wuz robbed! No seriously, they feel that they couldn't of played any harder than they have over the last two games and if it were not for some lucky bounces(Henrik and our team have nothing to do with it apparently) they would be up 2-0 ... so they intent on going into MSG(where they'll get a taste of what home ice REALLY feels and sounds like) and taking two from us ...

Sorry if I am not impressed ... our boys, while they played better yesterday, have still not played as good as they can play and while the Devils are loving their vantage point from Denialand they must be aware of that fact too ...

Brodiva said that hopefully our boys will be so revved up in Game 3 with our crowd behind them that our boys will make mistakes and not be as focused ... are you kidding me? When the Rangers and Henrik have been better at home than on the road? When they sounded like a team that hasn't accomplished anything and feels that they can improve a lot on their play after their game 2 win?

[Matty "Cute but Psycho, things even out"]

Paul R ...

They could make trades but with a Salary Cap they have to be smart about those and any Free Agent signings ... afterall they could've locked up Scott Gomez for 5 mil per year 2 yrs ago and instead took him through a nasty arbitration battle and then lost him a year later ... so that culture needs to change with the times, will it? Who knows

[rangerbill94]

Adam

The last guys you want on the point are Dawes and Drury. Both have very quick hands, they get a lot of garbage goals, rebounds and the like. Also, both have very good eye-hand coordination, just what is needed for tips and re-directs. The points need a guy who can get the puck through for tips and re-directs and sometimes directly in the net. Girardi is one of those players. In the first game Girardi got the the third most TOI on the PP, behind Rozsival & Backman. I don't think Renney is thinking that Tyutin is ready for QB duty yet, but I think he wants to try Girardi and the best way to do that is to put his partner on the ice also, provides some comfort. Rozsival is good on the PP, but he is more a goal scorer than a QB type D'man. If Mara could figure out where the net is, then his shot would be OK. Finally, Backman has the tools, he needs more time to demonstrate he can handle the position. There are too many other options available to try Staal there as a regular. I would expect that Renney will use Staal when we have a good lead.

[David]

I still think the Rangers have not played their best. Game 2 was better then 1 but too many penalties and no PP to speak of. I am not complaining just hoping that tomorrow night they will feed off the crowd's energy and play like Game 3 against Atlanta last year. Perhaps too much to hope for.

[TommyG]

PJ

I saw Sanguinetti play last week in Hartford. He played a good, solid game. Not great or spectacular, but good. I think he is still getting acclimated to his new team and league.

I had the good fortune to meet him after the game on the ice, as the WolfPack had a post-game skate on the XL Center ice for fans. To meet him is a pleasure. He is a big, strong, humble kid, who made time to hang out with the fans. I don't know how soon it will be for him to make the jump to the NHL, but it seems inevitable.

[Tom]

I have to say the penalty on langenbrunner(sp?) shouldnt have been called but when it was then the betts caleld shoulda been made too. Thats my objective unbaised opinion

[Ted]

Although betts only had one hand on his stick he was still impeding Martin's progress, furthermore his other hand briefly grabbed Martin's jersey, i just don't agree with the idea that it wasn't a penalty.

[Matty "Cute but Psycho, things even out"]

Although betts only had one hand on his stick he was still impeding Martin's progress, furthermore his other hand briefly grabbed Martin's jersey, i just don't agree with the idea that it wasn't a penalty.

However what we can agree with is that the Devils were getting away with that exact same play ALL GAME LONG so you will forgive me if I don't care that karma took a bite out of the Devils at the end of the game ...

[PJ]

Has anyone seen Sanguinetti play for the pack? The Rangers really need a defenseman next year who is an offensive threat and can man the power play. Sure hope Bobby is the answer. If not next year, then the year after. Wonder how he looks at the AHL level?

[Ted]

Haha Matty i'll definitely agree with that. I was especially happy that karma came back to bite the devils in the form of that langenbrunner penalty, considering all the garbage picks, holds, and hooks they were committing all game. Props to Shanahan for pointing that out to the refs, instances like that make me really hope that he comes back next season.

[Jess]

Matty

I've had a fantastic Saturday so far ... manicure, pedicure, a massage, aw a girl needs some pampering now and then and after our win last night I said "Why not?" plus I will be ready to freakout again tomorrow ...

Just make sure your playoff beard is growing no excuses because you are a gurl dangit LOL.

It is DVD movie night tonight so why not some Mel Brooks stuff like Blazing Saddles and Spaceballs

RB

The last guys you want on the point are Dawes and Drury.

I disagree with you here on Dawes as I got to watch him man the point for 3 seasons when he was with Kootenay and he was an excellent QB back there.

The most underrated part of Dawe's game is his passing skills. Gomez may be good but I really believe Dawes is better. The kid can put the puck right on the stick in someone's shooting position like very few I have seen.

Tommy G

I saw Sanguinetti play last week in Hartford. He played a good, solid game. Not great or spectacular, but good. I think he is still getting acclimated to his new team and league.

There is going to be a lot of pressure on him over the next couple of years as people are going to expect him to jump right in and play like a super star.

Sangs is a Ranger fan himself from Jersey so he understands the expectations that are going to be on him.

IF it was me I would let him spend a half season to a full one with the Pack just working on his game.

The Ranger mantra is dominate at one level for a year before advancing. I believe that will be the case with Sangs as well.

[Paul R _ _ _ _ _ d]

I was watching the stars, ducks game and everytime they said lundqvist did soemthig I couldn't help but look at the net

[Paul R _ _ _ _ _ d]

jess according to what you said, should we expect to see hutch next season?

[Sam]

The hitting in the ducks/stars game has been fun to watch. some good solid finishing checks.

[Jess]

Paul R-----D

jess according to what you said, should we expect to see hutch next season?

I do not think Hutch will resign with the Rangers as he will look at his options and not see one for himself as a Ranger. Guys who spend 6 years in the minors are not legit NHL prospects.

Yes I know he had a great season at Hartford and was the best defenseman in the AHL but that is just it, it is the AHL not the NHL.

No offense or disrespect to Hutch at all but he has been a pro for 6 seasons and has been unable to stick in the NHL. Remember Hutch had to pass waivers to go to Hartford in the first place so it is not as if the Rangers snuck him down there.

I believe that the Rangers will offer him a nice deal IF he is willing to stay with Hartford but I think he will try his luck elsewhere.

I think next training camp, 4 spots are already set (Staal, Tyutin, Girardi, and Backman) which leaves 3 spots.

If Jagr is back so will Rozsival(1). But I also see them going after Ron Hainey (2)of Columbus who fits Renney's idea of a defender to a tee.

I know everyone keeps thinking Brian Campbell and he is pals with Drury BUT the Rangers need Hainey who is a better puck mover, is 3 inches bigger than Campbell and I think plays a better defensive game.

Hainey has been hidden in Columbus but I like the idea of him as a future partner for either Staal or Sanguinetti as he can play both roles.

I also think the Rangers will want Baranka or Potter (3) to either earn a spot or move on because time is running out for both prospects.

And as much as people are going to hate this but I do expect the Rangers to resign Strudwick as the 7th d-man/extra forward and locker room leader for the kids. They can get him for 500-750 K which helps on the cap but it gives the Rangers an extra coach for what will still be a young team.