New Jersey Devils take series lead with 5-3 win over New York Rangers -NHL Playoffs Update
Playing at an electrically charged Madison Square Garden did not affect New Jersey as the Devils dominated New York Rangers in a surprising way, 5-3, to take a one game lead in the 2012 National Hockey League (NHL) Stanley Cup Eastern Conference Playoff
Final series.
The first and last periods were the climax parts of the matchup as Devils dominated both parts while resting in the middle and giving New York a run for their money.
Amazingly, New Jersey Devils had just 16 shots on Henrik Lundqvist throughout the contest and managed to get four through him before Rangers’ head coach, John Tortorella was forced to pull him out for the extra skater.
Veteran Devils’ goalie, Martin Brodeur, on the other hand, had it tough with 28 attempts, but stayed strong till the final second by letting just three through.
"It's a good feeling," goalie Martin Brodeur said of the Devils' leading status. "We worked really hard to get in that position. (There's been) a lot of unsung heroes and guys producing at different times. Players are playing well. We've just got to keep
going.”
Aiming to rebound is the only possible way of approaching the upcoming Game 6 competition, which will have New York on the verge of elimination at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
"We have to. There is no other way around it," Lundqvist said. "We have to bring all the good things we did and keep doing them in the next game. We played really well in the second and third period."
Stephen Gionta, Patrik Elias and Travis Zajac made it a three point game in favour of New Jersey by the midway mark of round-one while Brandon Prust added New York’s first at 15:41.
"It feels good to be in position going home and being one game away, that's about it," Elias said.
Rangers’ captain, Ryan Callahan, gave hope to the home team with his fifth of the playoffs 32 seconds into the second while Marian Gaborik levelled it 17 seconds into the final period on a breakaway, which had both teams on the edge.
Luckily, New Jersey was in the right place at the right time as Ryan Carter broke the crucial tie at 15:36 and Zach Parise secured it with 32 seconds left to play.
Game 6 is on Friday, May 25, 2012.
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