The Brooklyn Trolley Blogger: Martin Brodeur Tops Hockey Night In Metropolitan Division; NJD, NYR, NYI

Thursday, November 07, 2013

Hockey Night In Metropolis

THURSDAY FINAL STANDINGS:
N.Y. Rangers   8-8   16 points
N.Y. Islanders   6-7-3   15 points
N.J. Devils   4-7-4   12 points

From the desk of:

RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

NEW YORK RANGERS

vs.

Columbus Blue Jackets

From

Some Arena In Ohio

FINAL
Rangers 4
Blue Jackets 2

Here come Tex's Rangers! They began Thursday night's play with a 7-8 record, and 14 points. They had achieved one more victory, but one less point in the standings than the third place N.Y. Islanders. The Rangers posted a 5-3 record in their last eight games entering tonight, in which they limited each opponent to a pair of goals or less. This evening, they continued their positive streak, with another 3-2 victory. Two more points gives them 16, which thrusts them into third place of the Metropolitan Division.

The Rangers visited Columbus to face the Blue Jackets and catch up with old friends. For Derick Brassard, John Moore, and Derek Dorsett, this was their first time back in Columbus. For Brandon Dubinsky and Marian Gaborik, it was a chance to welcome old friends to their new home arena. Rick Nash, unfortunately, could not attend the reunion. But it was an even older blast from the past who had something to say. Former Rangers defenseman Fedor Tyutin scored in the first period to tie the game at one each. Carl Hagelin opened the scoring with his third goal at the 4:16 mark.

The game got very chippy in the second period. Fedor Tyutin leveled Taylor Pyatt with an elbow to the head. Pyatt left the ice. Brandon Dubinsky was taking runs at J.T. Miller. Ryan Callahan answered everyone with a PP goal off a strong effort in front of the net, and a deflection. It was Callahan's second point of the game and fifth goal of the season. Later in the period, and within a minute of each other, both teams traded goals to make it a 3-2 Rangers lead. Car Hagelin scored his second of the game unassisted. Ryan McDonagh scored on an empty net to cap off the evening, and seal a 4-2 Rangers victory.

Cam Talbot started in net for the Rangers. He faced 34 shots and made 32 saves - some very big ones. Cam is now 3-1 this season.

From the desk of:

BROOKLYN'S FOSTER HOCKEY CLUB

New York Islanders

vs.

Carolina Hurricanes

From

South of the Mason Dixon Line

FINAL
Islanders 0
Hurricanes 1

The Islanders began the evening with a 6-6-3 record, and 15 points. As mentioned, that placed them third in the Metropolitan Division. They were 3-3 in their last six games heading into Carolina.

Thomas Vanek has played four games since being traded from Buffalo, and has one goal and a pair of assists. The Captain, John Tavares is not the club leader in points, goals or assists. The distinction of points and assists leader goes to Kyle Okposo, who has 19 points and 14 assists. Frans Nielsen is the team leader with 8 goals. Tavares has 7 goals and 10 assists, and is tied with Frans Nielsen with 17 points.

The Islanders are teetering though. Including tonight, they have allowed more goals (36-40) than they have scored. General manager Garth Snow needs to take a concerted look into shoring up his blue line.

Defense wasn't necessarily a problem on this night, but offense was. The game remained closely contested after Radek Dvorak put Carolina ahead 6:39 into the first period, and remained that way heading into the third. But John Tavares had one shot on goal all game, as the Isles mustered 21 shots, but couldn't generate any scoring. There were no rebounds to be had, as Hurricanes goalie Justin Peters pitched a clean shutout. The Islanders were 0/3 on the power play.

Young Kevin Poulin started between the pipes again. He earned his first victory of the season against the Boston Bruins. Late, with 2:52 left in the third period, Poulin made a HUGE save to keep the score 1-0 in favor of the Hurricanes, but the offense failed to compliment an overall very solid effort. Poulin faced 24 shots and stopped all but one. His record drops to 1-3 on the season, but certainly looked sharp.

The Islanders loss allows the Rangers to slip past them in the standings. The Long Islanders are now 6-7-3 on the season.

From the desk of:
BRICK CITY DEMONS

New Jersey Devils

vs.

Philadelphia Flyers

From

Broad Street

South Philly

FINAL
Devils 3
Flyers 0

The New Jersey Devils entered tonight's game in a bad way. They are still without Bryce Salvadore and Ryane Clowe. Martin Brodeur is even on record saying he'd consider waving his no-trade clause if that would help the club. The Devils entered tonight's action in seventh place of the Metropolitan Division with 3-7-4 record and 10 points. One of those victories was a 4-0 drubbing of the Rangers in Newark. After losing their first seven games of the season, they started tonight's game in Philly with a 3-4 mark since. That's a start.

Philadelphia fans serenaded their team to a chorus of boos as they skated off the ice at the conclusion of the second period. The visiting Devils led 1-0 on a first period Eric Gelinas (2) goal just 1:57 into the game. In truth, the Flyers couldn't have played any less inspired. During the third period, the scoring was changed on the goal by Gelinas. Adam Henrique (5) was credited with the goal instead.

Recently called-up Cam Janssen scored in the third period to give the Devils a 2-0 lead just 3:01 into the third period, and the boooo's continued to rain down upon the Flyers. When Jaromir Jagr scored New Jersey's third goal of the evening on an empty net, the Flyers fans really let their team have it.

Marty Brodeur started in net for the Devils, and added to his pair of NHL all-time records. He earned victory #672 of his career, and notched shutout #122 as well. For the Devils, their 4th victory of the season, and 12th points of the season. Marty faced 22 shots and stopped them all, for his third victory of the season.