New York, NY- Backup goaltender John Grahame picked up his second win in as many starts and made 34 saves to propel the New Jersey Devils to a 2-1 victory over the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night.
The Rangers actually started the scoring in the game when Brian Gionta deflected home a Todd Bertuzzi slapshot at the 15:50 mark of the first period. Scott Gomez also picked up a helper on Giontas fourth goal of the season.
In the closing minute of the first period, the Devils would tie the score. With 26 seconds left, Martin Erat deflected a Brendan Morrison shot from the right wing at Rangers goalie, Ilya Bryzgalov. Bryzgalov got a large portion of the puck, but it dribbled behind him and to his left. Then an alert Morrison, who was following his original shot, banged home the loose puck before any Rangers could react. It was Morrisons second of the year. Lubomir Visnovsky was given the second assist on the goal.
The second period saw the goalies taking over the game. There was no scoring, but plenty of shots. The Devils fired 10 shot at the Rangers net while Grahame stopped all 16 Rangers shots that came his way in the middle period.
In the third period, Patrik Berglund connected for the eventually game-winner. Berglund who came into the game on a four-game, goal-scoring streak added a fifth game to his run. Visnovsky blasted a shot towards the Rangers goal and Shane Doan was able to tip it onto the Rangers goal. Bryzgalov did the slips and made the save, but he was in no position to handle Berglunds slapshot under the crossbar. The point for Berglund, his 12th, put him alone on top of the BRHL2 point standings, and the assist to Visnovsky gave him the lead in points (8) amongst blueliners. For Berglund that was goal number six.
Once the Devils (6-0-1) got the lead, the undisciplined Rangers (1-4-1) committed three minor penalties in the last 11 minutes of the game all but ruining their chances of a getting a tying goal on Grahame, the game's first star.
The Devils have Friday off before playing a rare doubleheader on Saturday. In the morning, they welcome the Carolina Hurricanes to town and, then in the evening, the Edmonton Oilers also pay a visit. Kari Lehtonen is scheduled in goal for both games.
SWAMP THINGS- Defenseman and rookie John Carlson had his first fight, a draw with Todd BertuzziVisnovsky led the Devils in ice time with 29:29Marcel Goc dressed for the injured Mason RaymondMatt DAgostini had four shots on goal with his movement up to third line12,956 was the paid attendance.
