Tired? No, not these New York Rangers.
Despite wrapping up a seven-game series just 48 hours ago while the Devils rested up for nearly a week, the Rangers fought hard in a tight battle, survived a surge from the Devils and exploded in the third period to earn a 3-0 victory. Not to mention they kept the likes of Ilya Kovalchuk, Zach Parise and several others quiet throughout the tilt. You couldn't have asked for a better start to the series for the Rangers.
The first period of this was all we expected it to be. Both teams had scattered chances, there was plenty of hitting to go around and Henrik Lundqvist and Martin Brodeur made the saves they needed to in that opening twenty minutes. It was a feeling out process of sorts, as neither the Rangers nor the Devils took any standout chances and many shots were blocked on both ends of the rink.
In the second period, however, the play was not as even. New Jersey's deadly forecheck showed, and the Rangers being sloppy with the puck didn't help the matter much. Henrik Lundqvist, though, was absolutely dominant between the pipes for New York. He made at least six to seven huge saves in an elongated span in which the Devils controlled play by pinning the Rangers in their own zone.
Thanks to Henrik, the Rangers survived the middle frame unharmed, but it was obvious that their level of play needed to be raised and raised substantially. Whatever was said in the locker room during the second intermission fired the boys up and had them ready to do just that.
Just 52 seconds into the third period, Dan Girardi lasered a pass from Chris Kreider to the back of the net past Marty Brodeur for a 1-0 lead. Then, just eleven minutes later, it was Kreider again making a difference by scoring a goal of his own with a wicked snapshot on the rush. So the 21-year-old Kreider had himself a goal and an assist in the third period against the Devils, and I will say this without any shame; did I not say Kreider would be an x-factor in this series?
The Rangers played a strong third period, despite being the team which just won a Game 7 two days ago. Artem Anisimov would eventually ice the game for the Rangers with an empty-net tally, and Henrik Lundqvist repeatedly shut the door to grab his fifth career postseason shutout.
Lundqvist was Lundqvist, outdueling his counterpart down the other end in Marty Brodeur, and giving the Rangers some clutch stops at key times on this night. He's the reason the Rangers were able to raise their level in the third period and eventually win the game. Again, we get the best of Hank against the Devils for sure. We saw that tonight.
But Lundqvist had plenty of defensive help in this tilt, specifically from Ryan McDonagh. To pick out a single play, McD's effort to get back and break up what would've been a Zach Parise breakaway was unbelievable. Parise is one of the more talented, fast moving players with the puck on his blade, yet McDonagh still beat him back. Ryan deserved a top three star tonight for his defensive efforts, and he certainly had to lead the way with his partner in Dan Girardi not having his best of games tonight.
Chris Kreider and Carl Hagelin were huge factors tonight. Obviously Kreider recorded a goal and an assist, but his speed gave the Devils fits when pursuing loose pucks, as did Hagelin's on his line with Marian Gaborik and Brad Richards. That second line, though, with Kreider, Derek Stepan and Ryan Callahan was the team's best in this game. They were fantastic when generating some sustained pressure in the offensive zone.
Getting this first win at home against a well rested Devils team was enormous for the Blueshirts. Fatigue clearly is not an issue for this team, as John Tortorella repeatedly pointed out after the game. The ball is now in New Jersey's court to come back and avoid heading home down 2-0. Of course, on the flipside, getting a two games to none advantage for the first time in the playoffs would be huge for New York.
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