New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils aim to take series lead in Game 5 -NHL Playoffs Preview
New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers had an intense Game 4 with the former levelling the series yet again with a surprising rebound. Devils and Rangers are set to go head-to-head once again in a tie-breaking matchup in Game 5 of the 2012 National Hockey
League (NHL) Stanley Cup Eastern Conference Playoff Finals.
Devils were seen in a number of events to get more physical than usual while New York’s Mike Rupp also displayed his rough side by knocking down a New Jersey defenseman then going after veteran goalie, Martin Brodeur, by punching him in the chest.
Obviously, with Game 5 being crucial for both teams, saying that the physicality level between both teams will drop instantly would just be wrong. New York and New Jersey are bound to raise the tensions entering the contest as both will give it all to take
the lead.
"I think intensity will continue to rise throughout the remainder of the playoffs," Devils’ defenseman, Bryce Salvador, said. "I think each game just means that much more. The team that's going to be the most composed I think is going to have the most success."
Even the coach’s went all out verbally and had they been on the ice, a scuffle would have broken out for sure.
"It's a combination of a number of things," Rangers’ coach, John Tortorella, said. "It's getting out of your end clean. It's holding on to pucks in their end when they have opportunities. It comes just within your play. So there's no one particular thing.
But it has been a series so far of them having the puck a lot more than we have. And that's what we're going to try to change."
Zach Parise turned out to be the game-winning factor for New Jersey as the Devils took a dominating stance right into the start of Game 4.
Game 5 between New Jersey Devils-New York Rangers is set for Wednesday, May 23, 2012, at the Madison Square Garden at 8:00 PM ET.
Prediction:
New Jersey Devils will win against New York Rangers in overtime 2-3, and maybe even double OT.
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