The New Jersey Devils have just announced shocking news
NEWARK, New Jersey The New Jersey Devils defeated the New York Rangers 3-1 on Monday evening in the Eastern Conference Finals, 2-2. Martin Brodeur made 27 saves and survived a third-period punch to the chest from old friend Mike Rupp.
Devils Rangers Hockey_Rotz.jpgSee in fullOn Monday, May 21, 2012, in Newark, New Jersey, goalie Martin Brodeur (30) of the New Jersey Devils collides with center Mike Rupp of the New York Rangers during the first period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference final playoff series. Russian goalie Anton Volchenkov of the Devils is in back. (Photo by Kathy Willens/AP)
In a series where the intensity and emotions are building, Zach Parise scored twice and added an assist, and Bryce Salvador and Travis Zajac defeated Henrik Lundqvist in the first period with less than four minutes separating them.
In the third, Brodeur even contributed to Parise’s empty-net goal, capping a game where the Devils remained composed and overcame a 3-0 deficit from Game 3, while the Rangers were penalized multiple times and appeared rattled right away.
Wednesday is Madison Square Garden’s game five.
Every period brought more chippiness to this particular game. The second was when Rangers defenseman Marc Staal struck Patrik Elias in the back of the knee with his stick. Ilya Kovalchuk of the Devils and New York captain Ryan Callahan engaged in a scrum before Rupp finally poked Brodeur in the crease during a stoppage in the third period.
That nearly started a brawl between the players on the ice, particularly when Brodeur acted as though he had been struck by a roundhouse right.
The best action, though, occurred between the benches as Rangers coach John Tortorella and Devils coach Peter DeBoer got into a heated argument over what he thought was an intentional attack on DeBoer’s goalie during a game that the Rangers dominated once again.
On Sunday, the two coaches traded jabs as well, criticizing each other for embellishing penalties and picking plays. This rivalry does indeed have the makings of another great series.
The game was effectively over when Parise scored on a power play to give New Jersey a 3-0 lead, and the Rupp punch came about four minutes later.
With just over five minutes remaining, Ruslan Fedotenko destroyed Brodeur’s hopes of recording his 25th career shutout in the playoffs.
