Newark, NJ- The New Jersey Devils power play scored twice en route to building a 3-0 lead, and the Devils hang on to defeat the New York Rangers, 3-2, Monday night.
The Devils first goal of the game was of the even strength variety. A revamped third line would pick up the goal at the 16:14 mark of the first period. Matt DAgostini cleaned up a blocked-shot attempt from teammate Wojtek Wolski to give the Devils (11-4-1) the lead. Brendan Morrison, moved down to center the 3rd line, picked up the secondary assist. For DAgostini, it was his third goal on the season.
The second period went scoreless and the Devils held onto the 1-0 lead entering the third.
Just nine ticks into the last period, the Rangers (6-9-1) would be shorthanded, courtesy of a Todd Bertuzzi tripping minor. The Devils top power play unit keep contain of the puck in the attack zone for over a minute and Brian Rolston capped it off with a one-time from the left circle at 1:37. Rolstons eighth of the year came from Shane Doan and Patrik Berglund.
For both Doan and Berglund, the point was number 20 on the year, which ties them each for second place in the BRHL2 scoring race.
Fast forward three more minutes, and another Ranger was sent off. This time it was Brandon Yip for the trip.
Martin Erat would make New York pay this time. Valtteri Filppula would win a clean face-off to Martin Erat directly behind him. Erat took two strides towards the net before he launched a snapshot along the ice and in after connecting with the left post. The goal, Erats fourth, came at 5:23 with Filppula getting the only helper.
But things dont come easy for the Devils.
Hal Gill (?!??!) scored at 6:57. An unlucky Kari Lehtonen was left out to dry after the puck bounced off Doan and went to a Gill, who quickly remembered what it was like to score a goal. Bertuzzi and Braydon Coburn had the assists.
The game would get even more interesting at 14:53. Brian Gionta sent home a rebound and the Rangers were within one goal.
Then DAgostini was called for a stupid hooking penalty with just 1:56 to go. The Devils PK would have none of it, and shut the Rangers down as the clock ran out.
The Devils fired 42 shots on Henrik Karlsson while Lehtonen made 25 saves on 27 shots.
The Devils next make the trip across the border and head to Toronto to face the Maple Leafs (7-6-3). The game takes place in two days (Day 30 on the BRHL2 calendar).
SWAMP THINGS- The point for Doan extending his point-scoring streak to 12 gamesEric Tangradi made his pro debut and promptly received a penalty just 1 minute inBoyd Gordon served his last of a 4 game suspensionRangers and Devils dont meet again for 105 days14,372 was attendance.
