Devils-Rangers Preview (10/20)
More at stake than just points
by: Steve Cangialosi
It's only the eighth game of an 82-game season, but there's a lot more than just two points at stake for the Devils Thursday at Madison Square Garden. Having lost their first two games this season versus Atlantic Division opponents – including a 3-2 setback against the Rangers October 5th – New Jersey cannot allow this to fester. Any chance it has of successfully defending its division crown will largely depend on how it fares against the Flyers, Penguins, and of course, the Rangers.
Having lost seven of eight meetings against the Rangers in 2007-2008 – and in the process allowing Scott Gomez to look like a much better player than he really was – the Devils evened the playing field by at least splitting the season series with New York in 2008-2009. Their most memorable victory was an 8-5 win that saw New Jersey blow a 5-1 lead, before goals by Patrik Elias, Brian Gionta and Jamie Langenbrunner in a span of less than four minutes sealed one of the weirdest games the teams have played in recent years.
The Devils are undefeated on the road, but those three victories were against Southeast Division teams (Tampa Bay, Florida and Washington). We all know that the intensity of a game versus the Rangers is taken to a different level. We all know what Marty Brodeur will hear when he allows his first goal.
It's encouraging that Brodeur is coming off a shutout Saturday night versus Carolina, which included excellent saves on Jussi Jokinen, Sergei Samsonov and Eric Staal while preserving a 1-0 third period lead. I expect Brodeur to play well Thursday, but more than anything, the Devils need to exploit the Rangers' weakness. John Tortorella himself spotlighted it even before Monday's humbling loss to San Jose: a defense that's not physical enough, and a penchant for taking penalties.
Zach Parise, who goes straight to the net, is precisely the type of player that needs to take advantage of the Rangers' shortcomings. With two goals, including an empty-netter, in his first seven games, he's due for a big night.
TEAM NOTES:
The Devils waived defenseman Cory Murphy, and that means that until further notice, Andy Greene will play every game. New Jersey fans often get frustrated with Greene, but take a glance at 29 other NHL rosters and ask yourself how many sixth and seventh defenseman are decisively better.
Greene doesn't hurt the Devils in power play situations, and he seems as comfortable moving the puck as he ever has. He's 26 years old, but this is just his third full NHL season. New Jersey is 4-0 with him in the lineup, and he's played his way onto this team that has Jay Leach and 2006 first-round draft choice Matt Corrente awaiting their shot while playing for AHL Lowell.
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