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The Time: 8:00 PM EDT
The Broadcast: TV - NBC SN, CBC, RDS; Radio - 1130 AM WBBR
The Series:The New Jersey Devils (1) at the New York Rangers (2)
The Game Specific Goals:
First, they need to score, and quick. If the Devils can get one goal, they can get two. The Rangers rallied behind Lundqvist's solid performance in games one and three. Let's keep the Rangers from getting any wind in their sails.
Second, stay confident. The Devils can't let the Rangers get under their skin. Let the coaches exchange words and play that way. The Devils only need to prove it on the ice, and they will.
For an opposition's perspective, please visit Blueshirt Banter. For a few more thoughts on today's game, please continue on after the jump.
The Suspension: After the atrocious hit by Brandon Prust on Anton Volchenkov in game 3, Prust has been suspended. John recapped it here and I concur with his assessment that this changes nothing. Prust is not a key player for the Rangers and it won't affect the outcome of the game.
Coaching: Game one, the Rangers shut out the Devils and it was dismal. In game two, DeBoer adjusted and the Devils stole a game from the Rangers. In game three, the Rangers shut out the Devils again, with the same exact score. So what can DeBoer re-adjust to win another game?
Lines: The Devils will be getting back the services of Jacob Josefson. DeBoer has also shuffled his lines in practices. Petr Sykora practiced on the 5th line, but DeBoer would not say whether or not he would play. As per Tom Gulitti, the lines are below:
Parise - Zajac - Zubrus
Elias - Henrique - Kovalchuk
Ponikarovsky - Josefson - Clarkson
Carter - Gionta - Bernier
Powerplay: NEEDS TO CONVERT! Seriously, the Devils better have worked on their powerplay on the off day; it has been non-existent.
What can the Devils expect in game four?
- Another solid performance by Henrik Lundqvist. He is THE reason the Rangers won game one and three.
- A fired up Rangers team. They are undefeated at the Rock in the playoffs.
What do you believe is key to game four? Which player(s) needs to step up, and which ones need to maintain play? Should DeBoer sit Sykora? Most importantly, it's a seven game series. As a fan, try and keep cool (easier said than done). The Rangers have only one more win than the Devils. Let's Go Devils!