New Jersey Devils look to take benefit of series returning home against New York Rangers –NHL Playoffs
Game 1 looked like the end of the New Jersey Devils as New York Rangers dominated with a surprising 3-0 shutout to kick off the 2012 National Hockey League (NHL) Stanley Cup Eastern Conference Playoff Finals.
New Jersey quickly killed off the rumours that having over a week to rest just rusted them with a 3-2 comeback in Game 2 and levelled the series at the Madison Square Garden in New York.
"We have built some momentum," Devils’ goalie, Martin Brodeur, said. "And now, we have to try to take that into our building and make our building a tough place to play."
Now as the series goes to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, Devils are confident of using the home-ice advantage and taking both of the next two games for a dominating 3-1 lead heading into Game 5 back in New York.
Being twin cities, New Jersey and New York have fans attending games in both arenas, making it a balance between Rangers and Devils supporters, but NJ will definitely have the majority on their side heading back home.
"During the regular season, if we were to get scored on, then you see [the Ranger fans] all cheering, and I think they cheer extra loud when they're in our building," Devils captain, Zach Parise, said. "That's when you realize how many Ranger fans we have
in our building. But hopefully there won't be too many blue jerseys in the stands for these two home games."
One major disadvantage to New York is that they will still be playing without Brandon Dubinsky, one of their top forwards, who is out with an undisclosed lower body injury. New Jersey will certainly look to continue taking advantage of that fact.
Looking at playing at home, New Jersey has the clear advantage as they have lost only one game in the postseason so far at the Prudential Center, which was against Florida Panthers in Game 3 of the quarterfinals.
Devils are looking to continue their winning streak at home while Rangers need to be at the top of their game if they hope to take a lead in the series.
Game 3 of the New Jersey Devils-New York Rangers series, kicks off on Saturday, May 19, 2012, in New Jersey at 1:00 PM ET.
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