New York Rangers route New Jersey Devils with 2-0 shutout -NHL Update
New York Rangers showed exceptional form as they continued to dominate the Eastern Conference with a 2-0 shutout victory over New Jersey Devils on Monday night, February 27, 2012, at the Madison Square Garden in New York.
New Jersey was entering the matchup with high expectations as the Devils looked forward to a breakthrough victory, snapping their two-game losing streak but in return, had it extended to three straight now.
Rangers on the other hand have now won two consecutive contests, strengthening their position as the top team in the East with 86 points.
The Monday night contest between the two rivals was not focused entirely on shooting and scoring goals but rather who would fight and emerge victorious in that showdown.
Martin Brodeur and Henrik Lundqvist had to face only 14 and 13 shots respectively, but the New York goalie emerged lucky by managing to block all attempts on his net.
Lundqvist has definitely had a breakthrough season yet again as he picked up his eighth shutout of the hockey year, leading the league at the moment.
"It means that things have been going well, but it also means that I played for a club that's given me an opportunity to play a lot," Lundqvist said. "I have a pretty good team in front of me, as well. I'm happy I reached it again.
Carl Hagelin potted his 11th of the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season with three minutes to go in the opening period after which both teams failed to score until the final moments of the third.
Eric Boulton and Brandon Prust turned the ice rink into a wrestling ring as they battled it out while David Clarkson and Brandon Dubinsky exchanged some fists of their own late into the second.
"I knew it was coming," Dubinsky said. "It was just a matter of time before somebody was going to fight him. He seems to always turn away the tougher guys - not taking anything away from myself - and go after other guys. It's just the way he is."
New York captain, Ryan Callahan, capped off the night with his 25th of the year on an empty net.
Rangers have the next against Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday while New Jersey are to face Boston Bruins on the same day.
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