This will be a regular feature and it will include me analyzing the particular game period by period, while updating it, period by period. I will comment on the overall gameplay, the refs, obviously the score, and anything else that might be of particular importance.
Welcome to the Hudson rivalry!
Tonight, straight from the
The Rangers, a team who has slowly started finding its groove after a disappointing first few games of the season, will be the look for revenge against the team who knocked them out of the playoffs last season.
The Devils will be looking to gain some room on the team who won the Division and the Conference last season. So far this season, they have looked solid and so far proved the pundits, including myself, that this is not a one man team (they lost Parise).
Key Notes:
- Dan Girardi is not in the line up to do "maintenance"
- Chris Kreider returns to the lineup
- JT Miller will make his Ranger debut
Follow me after the jump for my period by period analysis.
First Period
In a period where they had a total of 8 PowerPlay minutes, its quite embarrassing that the Rangers were not able to score at least one goal. Give credit to Brodeur though, he made a couple nice saves to keep his team in it.
First, he denied Rick Nash a goal on a partial breakaway. Marty stacked the pads and Nash came crashing into him and flew into the goal. The goal pegs however could not hold the net in place when the puck eventually found its way into the goal and the goal was correctly waived off.
Then, on another PowerPlay, Brodeur denied Marc Staal on a nice passing play that included two young stars Kreider and Miller.
Speaking of Miller, I was very impressed with his play in that period. After taking a tumble into the boards on his first possesion, he played well for the last 15 minutes.
Second Period
Not much needs to be said about this one - the Rangers controlled play, they just could not seem to squeeze one past Marty. In a matchup that has been dominated by Henrik Lundqvist, Brodeur is so far showing why he is considered one of the best - if not the best- goaltenders the league has ever seen.
He was beat only once this period, but the goal line was not. Early in the period, Rick Nash used his large frame to cut across the crease and score a similar goal to the one he did against Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh. He made Marty come out of his crease and had an open net but shot the puck across the crease instead.
Coming from a person who is trying to be as nuetral as possible about this post, I think it's fair to say from both sides of the river that the Rangers have controlled most of the play and if it was not for Marty, the Devils not be up 2 - 0 at the end of 40 minutes.
Third Period
The final period of the game followed a similar script...
Rangers control most of the play, can't score, Brodeur makes some nice saves and repeat...
The Devils scored 3 goals on 3 breakdowns. Overall, not a bad game for the Rangers. How is that?
Well, if you put things into perspective, it is obvious that the Rangers have stepped their game up. They might look a little sluggish but they're still looking for that extra spark to get them over the hump. They controlled most of the play, had a couple decent chances that should have went in, and barely took any penalties.
The downside to this - still cannot score and their PowerPlay is still not performing the way it should be. Also, Del Zotto had a very shaky game: he bobbles the puck along the boards that leads to the first goal; he mishandles a few more passes and then he takes the last penalty of the game after he shoots it straight into the pads of the Devils defensemen.
Quick Summary
- Credit the Devils for making the most out of their opportunities because it seemed barely had the puck.
- Solid job by the youngsters, Miller and Kreider, for playing well.
- Don't forget, Girardi was out for the first time in a long time and his absence was felt most on the goals that went it (since he usually is the one clearing the crease).
- Brodeur with some ridiculous stops....good for you old man.
- Other than that, it really did not even feel like your typical Rangers/Devils game.
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