NYR vs. NJD: Battle of the Hudson - III

From the desks of:  

THE BRICK CITY STYX  and  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

Devils lead series 2-1

I - NJD 3; NYR 2

II - NYR 5; NJD 2

III - NJD 4; NYR 3*

*shootout

THURSDAY FINAL

Rangers   3

Devils       4

shootout

The Rangers entered Thursday's game winners of three straight.  Newark, meanwhile, was seeking to extend their own two-game winning streak.  Both teams took to the ice at the Rock each seeking their 20th victory of the season.  

Only one team, however, seemed up for the task.

The defenseless Rangers permitted 48 shots on goal against Henrik Lundqvist (23 in the second period) of which he turned away 45 of them.  And for that they should be very thankful, because if it weren't for their liege, the Rangers do not escape Newark with a point.

New Jersey beat Alain Vigneault at his own game.  They were clearly the faster team; period.  Hell ... Kyle Palmieri quite nearly beat the Rangers by himself.  Meanwhile, the Rangers played as poorly as they possibly could without actually putting the puck in the wrong net.  The Devils made them pay for every mistake, and the Rangers committed many.

With a victory, the Rangers could have pulled even with the Devils with 43 points.  Instead, the Devils victory over the Rangers ties them with (idle) Washington for first place of the Metropolitan Division with 45 points.  The Rangers, meanwhile, remain in fourth place behind Columbus.

Don't look now, but Newark's youngsters are exhibiting staying power.  After slipping in November with a 6-6-2 record against predominantly Western Conference teams, they've seemingly regrouped with a 6-3-1 December record to date, featuring notable victories over the Blue Jackets, Kings, Stars, and Ducks.

Nice job by Brian Boyle in scoring the game tying (pp) goal in the third period, then netting the game winning goal in shootout.