All About The Jersey - New Jersey Devils 2, New York Rangers 3: Game 30 CoverageA world class blog for Jersey's team: the New Jersey Devilshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47083/lou-fave.png2013-03-20T00:19:17-04:00http://www.allaboutthejersey.com/rss/stream/38858412013-03-20T00:19:17-04:002013-03-20T00:19:17-04:00Same Sh%, Different Night: Devils Lose 3-2 to NYR
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<figcaption>Yeah, I don't even know anymore, Clarkson. | Elsa</figcaption>
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<p>This recap focuses on the New Jersey Devils and their scoring woes continue as they couldn't respond to their defensive mistakes again for a regulation loss. This time it was to Our Hated Rivals, the New York Rangers, in a 3-2 loss. </p> <p>Both the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/">New Jersey Devils</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blueshirtbanter.com/">New York Rangers</a> came into this game as strong puck possession teams with very low shooting percentages (Sh%) at even strength. I pointed that out in my preview of this game. It even was a part of <a href="http://www.inlouwetrust.com/2013/3/18/4117292/new-jersey-devils-strong-in-possession-bodes-well-for-making-the" target="_blank">Monday's post about how good the Devils are possession and how most teams that are good at possession get into the playoffs.</a> Tonight, the team shooting 6.93% at even strength went 2-for-20 at evens. The team shooting 7.03% at even strength this season went 1-for-22 at evens. Tack on a special teams goal for each and that adds up to a 3-2 win in favor of the New York Rangers over the New Jersey Devils. </p>
<p>Once again, the Devils out-shot their opponents in all situations, 31-22. Once again, the Devils out-attempted their opponents with a +4 in Fenwick and a +11 in Corsi. Once again, the Devils did a lot of things right; they drew calls, they forechecked, they got extended attacking shifts at times, and so forth. Once again, they couldn't score enough to win and their mistakes did them in. I'm honestly getting sick of writing these recaps because I'm really just repeating myself at this point. The Devils had a good performance but their production sucked. Therefore, so some boneheaded decisions cost them the game even though the team. That's tonight's game. That's Saturday's game against Montreal. That's a lot of other games from the past month or so. </p>
<p>The root problem remains the lack of goals, lest you really think the team can play a mistake-free game - albeit, I would agree it didn't have to be <i>tonight's</i> mistakes. The possession is there, the shots are there, and even when the defense and/or Moose has a good night, it's all for naught because this team isn't scoring enough goals. Would a scoring winger help? Absolutely; somebody who isn't slumping would be a gift from a higher power (take your pick, readers) for this squad at this point. But I don't see 2013's version Jeff Carter-to-a-slumping-team-to-coincidentally-turn-it-around coming to this team. Maybe you can?</p>
<p>Anyway, the Rangers took full advantage of the team's mistakes and weathered whatever pressure they got even though <span>Henrik Lundqvist</span> looked shaky in net tonight. They won as Montreal won as a whole bunch of other teams won. It wasn't pretty but it got the job done. And I will admit, I'm more bitter than usual because it is at the hands of Our Hated Rivals, a team who's had similar struggles this season. I am a Devils fan; losing to the Rangers should feel irritating, enraging, annoying, and/or bothersome to some degree. They are <i>Our Hated Rivals</i>, it's just not the same when something like this comes at the hands of, say, Carolina. I'd be lying if it didn't. </p>
<p>Nevertheless, the Devils should now be right below 7% at even strength at this point. The exact percentage doesn't matter, the Devils will be among the worst teams in the league in that statistic. That means their poor shooting percentage from the last month continues to drive a strong percentage from earlier in the season into the toilet. The 5-2 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.broadstreethockey.com/">Flyers</a> was just an oasis; the Devils remain in the Desert of Nonproduction. How do they exit? I don't know. Same low Sh%, different night, same result: a regulation loss.</p>
<p><b>The Stats: </b>The <a href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20122013/GS020429.HTM" target="_blank">NHL.com Game Summary</a> | The <a href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20122013/ES020429.HTM" target="_blank">NHL.com Event Summary</a> | The <a href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20122013/PL020429.HTM" target="_blank">NHL.com Play by Play Log</a> | The <a href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20122013/SS020429.HTM" target="_blank">NHL.com Shot Summary</a> | The <a href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20122013/FC020429.HTM" target="_blank">NHL.com Faceoff Comparison</a> | The <a href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20122013/TH020429.HTM" target="_blank">NHL.com Devils Time on Ice Report</a> | The <a href="http://timeonice.com/shots1213.php?gamenumber=20429" target="_blank">Time On Ice Corsi & Fenwick Charts</a> | The <a href="http://timeonice.com/H2H1213.html?GameNumber=20429&submit=Go" target="_blank">Time On Ice Even Strength Head to Head Ice Time Charts</a></p>
<p><b>The Opposition Opinion: </b>Bryan Winters and the Rangers faithful are appropriately pleased with the team in <a href="http://www.blueshirtbanter.com/2013/3/19/4126136/rangers-vs-devils-recap-rangers-hold-on-to-beat-devils-3-2-in">their recap at Blueshirt Banter.</a> They needed these points in their scrapping effort to get into the postseason and they got them. </p>
<p><b>The Game Highlights: </b>There were highlights of sorts. More for the opposition, though. Here's the video from <a href="http://www.nhl.com" target="_blank">NHL.com:</a></p>
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<p><b>The First Period or The Harrold Experience: </b>The first period had all the makings of an odd one. It included four goals and I'm sure fans on both sides The Devils looked very good to start but disaster struck on their power play. A puck sailed all the way down ice and <span>Johan Hedberg</span> came way out of his net to deny <span>Derek Stepan</span> a breakaway. Instead of immediately knocking it away from him, he delays, Stepan takes it away, Hedberg gets it back, and as Moose rushes back to his net, <span>Peter Harrold</span> loses the puck to Stepan along the boards. <span>Ilya Kovalchuk</span> is left on an island trying to deny the pass, no other Devil backchecks to take <span>Michael Del Zotto</span>, and he swats one in. Moose is at fault partially because he could've prevented the whole incident had he made a decision to play it away. Harrold is at fault partially because he couldn't keep a puck despite good position. And the nobody picking up Del Zotto really wasn't a great effort.</p>
<p>Fortunately for New Jersey, the Devils answered back on their next power play minutes later. After a faceoff win, Harrold fired a shot from the top of the point and it got partially blocked. <span>Travis Zajac</span> scooped it up from the middle of the ice, fired one shot that was blocked, and then a second that got through Lundqvist's five-hole. It was a big goal for Zajac since he hasn't been firing them in; it was a big goal because the power play succeeded; and it tied up the game.</p>
<p>Not long after that, the Devils got stuck in their own end for a little bit. <span>Ryan Callahan</span> threw the puck back to the left point to <span>Dan Girardi</span>. Girardi fired a shot off the end boards that bounced to a wide open <span>Carl Hagelin</span> at the right post. It was a 5-on-5 situation and nobody saw the winger down low on the weakside. By the time Harrold turned around, Hagelin tapped it into an empty net to make it 1-2. It's not like Girardi made a stop at the point so the Devils were hoping to get out. Harrold just lost his man. </p>
<p>Amazingly, the Devils would equalize not long after that with a goal from somebody nobody expected: <span>Anton Volchenkov</span>. Seriously, A-Train scored a goal. <span>Stephen Gionta</span> played a puck back to him along the boards. Volchenkov figured that since he was open, he'd just put it towards the net. It somehow goes through several bodies and gets past Lundqvist. It surprised me, it probably surprised you, and it definitely surprised the Rangers. It's 2-2 thanks to <i>Anton Volchenkov</i>. If you want one more reason to grouse about this game, then consider that Volchenkov scored a goal and the Devils <i>still</i> couldn't find a way to win.</p>
<p><b>The Second Period or One Too Many Mistakes...: </b>The Devils and Rangers played an up-tempo first period and continued it in the second period. Both teams traded offensive attacks. The Devils tended to set-up more and attack from various angles. The Rangers were able to get several odd man rushes by getting stops in their own end plus certain Devils like <span>Marek Zidlicky</span>, Marek Zidlicky, and Marek Zidlicky caught pinching. Hedberg was massive in stopping those two-on-ones - except for the one he didn't. After <span>Alexei Ponikarovsky</span> came close to scoring in front, the Devils decided to go for a line change without possession. Big mistake. Del Zotto sprung <span>Rick Nash</span> out wide and Nash & <span>Brad Richards</span> had a two-on-one against Harrold. Nash didn't even look to pass. Moose didn't square up for any potential shot and so Nash just fired a blistering wrister through his legs to make it 3-2. An awful line change, bad form by Moose, and it turned out to be the tipping point in tonight's game.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, the Devils couldn't find a quick response. They tried many times and came close several times to beat Lundqvist a third time. Even though the Diving King laid out many rebounds, either the Rangers cleaned them up or the Devils couldn't take full advantage of them. The Rangers came close to making it 4-2, but Moose was very strong after a weak goal allowed on all shots, especially on the 2-on-1s mostly allowed by Zidlicky. </p>
<p><b>The Third Period or Didn't We See This in the First Against Montreal?: </b>It was still very much a game but what was an exciting, playoff-like game for two periods degenerated into a more sloppy affair with all kinds of faulty passes, dump-ins, and infuriating decisions to pass up open shots to lead to nothing. It was a lot like the first period against Montreal on Saturday, only the Rangers didn't take full advantage. The Rangers had one fantastic chance early on when <span>Jeff Halpern</span> got a free shot in front. Thankfully, he's Jeff Halpern so Moose stopped him. But the Devils' attack wasn't so successful. Down a goal, they only out-shot the Rangers 7-4 and two of those seven shots came on a power play. As time ticked down, the Devils' offense was almost like squeezing blood from a stone once again. The possession may have been there, but the pucks weren't going on enough. Despite an extra man late, the Devils once again failed to find that additional goal they needed. </p>
<p><b>The Somewhat Even Even Strength: </b>The Devils did out-attempt the Rangers by 11 if you include blocks and by 4 if you don't. The problem with that is that actual shots on net were close. The Devils only out-shot the Rangers 22-20. For a team that was down a goal for over half the game, that's not really all that great. If you look at <a href="http://timeonice.com/shots1213.php?gamenumber=20429" target="_blank">the Time on Ice charts</a>, no one on New Jersey stood out in terms of shots except for Anton Volchenkov. The non-shots on net speak to how much the Devils had the puck to make those attempts, but they were about as effective at scoring goals as not shooting it at all.</p>
<p>Neither were some of the individual numbers. Ilya Kovalchuk was shotless at even strength. David Clarkson and Anton Volchenkov were tied with four shots at evens. Yes, that's right, <span>Patrik Elias</span>, <span>Adam Henrique</span>, Zajac, and the other forwards. A-Train got more rubber on net than you at evens. And in all situations too, except for Kovalchuk and Clarkson, who had five total. I liked how Volchenkov played tonight, but it's simply not good that a guy who only played 14:14 total had more attempts get to the net than nearly all of the forwards.</p>
<p><b>The Somewhat Effective Power Play: </b>Four attempts, nine shots on net, a post off a deflection that I and the thousands at the Rock thought was a goal but was not, and a goal by Zajac. Kovalchuk was especially strong here as all five of his shots on net tonight came on the man advantage. The Devils' two power plays in the first period were their most effective with five shots and a goal. The one each in the second and third periods weren't bad with two shots each, but they could have had more with more aggressive shooting and better zone entries. Of course, the shorthanded goal was abysmal by both Moose and the skaters so I can understand if you don't want to praise the PP all that much. Still, nine shots out of four attempts and shots on each opportunity are a lot better than what we've seen in some games.</p>
<p><b>The Absolutely Awful Refereeing: </b>Dennis LaRue and Kelly Sutherland were simply terrible tonight with a number of no-calls on the Rangers. They saw and did not call <span>Brian Boyle</span> setting a pick on Patrik Elias in his own end; they did not call anything when <span>Bryce Salvador</span> got clipped in the face and play continued until Hedberg robbed Hagelin in the slot; they did not call anything when Elias was hit in the face going into the neutral zone and went to his knees; and they did not call Rick Nash for hitting <span>David Clarkson's</span> leg to deny him from chasing a puck. There were several non-calls that were just mind-boggling. The calls they did make were all legitimate except for one.</p>
<p>In the second period, Lundqvist stops a puck as Zajac and Girardi skate by him. After a half-second, Lundqvist falls down like he was shot and writes in supposed agony on the ice. After a fracas and a trainer checked on the goalie, the refs send Zajac to the box for goaltender interference. That was an absolutely awful call as Zajac did not even touch Lundqvist one bit. Girardi hit Lundqvist by accident and Lundqvist decided to roll over and act like he was seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. It was worse acting than Dan Carcillo or <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stdi-1tIUhM" target="_blank">anytime Fred Sanford claimed to have a heart attack.</a> And they made Zajac pay for it. Justice was served when the Devils killed that power play with no shots allowed. </p>
<p>While I understand that the Devils did come out ahead in power plays and penalties didn't decide the game, it must be pointed out. It was a call that shouldn't have been made and on a night where it was apparently free whack-a-head night on anyone in red, it was an especially terrible call. Watch as nothing happens to LaRue and Sutherland for it. Clearly, it was a candidate for one of the worst calls of the season. At least we can and will call Lundqvist the Diving King, the King of Dives, or Patriarch of the Royal Family of Flop.</p>
<p><b>The Obligatory Section Where I Wonder Who Sits for Fayne: </b>Harrold had some good games going into this one. Tonight wasn't one of them. He lost a battle that led to a SHGA, he lost his man for the second goal against, and he contributed a mere shot on net, an "assist" that was really a fortunate bounce off a block, and a +4 in Corsi that's mostly driven by misses and blocks. It was not a good night for #10.</p>
<p>Marek Zidlicky didn't do anything that led to any GAs, but the Rangers came mighty close to doing so in the second period on multiple occasions. He did muster a +2 in Fenwick and a +3 in Corsi against the Rangers' top six but he was on the ice for the most shots against at evens. The supposed "offensive" defenseman got no shots on net as all five attempts either got blocked or missed the net. I'm failing to see why he deserves top-four minutes. Given that the team's defense during their winning streak - yes, they had one once - had him on the third pairing, I think that's where he belongs. But you won't get complaints out of me if #2 sits a game.</p>
<p>In my mind, it's either Harrold or Zidlicky who should sit out for <span>Mark Fayne</span> next since those two had especially poor nights. It wouldn't surprise me if <span>Adam Larsson</span> sits a bit since he's been all about making some poor decisions with the puck for the past few games. He's had a few giveaways, a pass on an open shot at the circle, and some botched clearances. Consider him the third horse in the race for replacement.</p>
<p><b>The Not Obligatory Section Where I Tell Elias A Thing: </b>Seriously, Patrik, you have a good shot. Don't pass up open shots in good spots, whether it's on the rush or you're down low on a power play down a score. Just fire away, like your teammate Clarkson. You may even score.</p>
<p><b>The Confused Section: </b>Hedberg was all over the place with playing the puck and one delay, while he won the puck back, led to a SHGA. He also looked hideously out of form on Nash's goal. At the same time, he bailed out his team over and over to keep it a one goal game. Was it a good game? A good game with awful mistakes? A bad game with several important stops? I don't even know how to really feel about it. I will say I'm looking forward to Martin Brodeur's return, which should be soon. </p>
<p><b>The Notes About the Rangers Section: </b>In terms of possession, the Richards line was the best. Richards and Nash combined for seven shots on net and one goal, which was good as <span>Marian Gaborik</span> did a whole lot of nothing on the scoresheet. Carl Hagelin and his annoyingly speedy ways ran up five shots and a goal as his line was just below zero in Corsi. The Devils enjoyed playing against their bottom six, especially Brian Boyle given his -11 Corsi. Del Zotto, <span>Steve Eminger</span>, and <span>Roman Hamrlik</span> all finished at -1 Corsi; their top pairing of Dan Girardi and <span>Ryan McDonagh</span> got it worse in possession at -7 and -9, respectively. Three out of the four penalties by the Rangers came from the defense: McDonagh, <span>Anton Stralman</span>, and Eminger. </p>
<p><b>The Injury: </b>Alexei Ponikarovsky left tonight's game during the second period and did not return. It led to some jumbling of the lines but eventually Peter DeBoer settled on three lines for the third period. Hope that it's not a long injury because Ponikarovsky was doing the little things <span>Dainius Zubrus</span> did and without him, the team's depth at wing is further tested. </p>
<p><b>A Final Point: </b>Hedberg bears responsibility on GA #1 and #3; Harrold bears some on GA #1 and #2; and the team bears it on #3 with that terrible timing for a line change. But mistakes happen in games and so it's important for teams to be able to score multiple goals if/when it happens. Yet again for New Jersey, same sh%, different night. I feel that Kovalchuk's back to being cold, Clarkson remains cold, Henrique is cold, Elias is cold, Zajac is slightly warmer, and everyone seems cold. When the puck luck improves, it'll be glorious. When will it change? I don't know. For the Devils' sake, it needs to be soon. </p>
<p>Thank you all for following along in the gamethread and through Twitter with <a href="http://www.twitter.com/inlouwetrust" target="_blank">@InLouWeTrust.</a> Please leave your comments and thoughts about about tonight's loss in the comments. Thanks for reading.</p>
https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/2013/3/20/4126166/same-sh-different-night-new-jersey-devils-lose-3-2-new-york-rangersJohn Fischer2013-03-19T18:00:03-04:002013-03-19T18:00:03-04:00Gamethread #30: Devils vs Rangers
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<p>Tonight, the New Jersey Devils take the highway to the Ranger Zone to face our hated rivals in a big game. Users can discuss the game here as it happens.</p> <p><strong>The Time: </strong>7:00 PM EST</p>
<p><strong>The Broadcast: </strong>MSG +2, Radio 660 AM, 101.9 WFAN FM</p>
<p><strong>The Matchup: </strong>The <a href="https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New Jersey Devils</a> (13-10-6) vs the <a href="https://www.blueshirtbanter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Rangers</a> (13-12-2)</p>
<p><strong>The Previews: </strong>The Devils and Rangers haven't played in a while, <a href="http://www.inlouwetrust.com/2013/3/19/4121162/new-jersey-devils-vs-new-york-rangers-game-30-preview">so I'd suggest reading John's in-depth preview</a>. <a href="http://www.blueshirtbanter.com/2013/3/19/4124432/rangers-vs-devils-preview-big-divisional-game-up-for-grabs-tonight">Bryan Winters has a shorter preview over at Blueshirt Banter</a> if you want a Rangers perspective.</p>
<p><strong>Gameday Information: </strong>There aren't going to be any lineup changes, despite <span>Tim Sestito</span> being recalled (and being a much more useful player than Krys Barch). Bryan Winter's projected lines in his preview at Blueshirt Banter is probably the best guess to Rangers lines for tonight, seeing as the Rangers beat writers have gone AWOL or something.</p>
<p><strong>A Song For Tonight: </strong>Highway to the Danger Zone? Well, it's fun to make the references and all (because Danger and Ranger rhyme), but I was looking for something a bit more heavier. Tonight's song is <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxqRhps_jJg">Bad Energy Troll by Evergreen Terrace</a></p>
<p>Again, remember the rules. No swearing, no personal attacks, no discussion of illegal streams and try and limit off-topic discussion to a minimum. This is a rivalry game, so try and let cooler heads prevail.</p>
<p>Go Devils.</p>
https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/2013/3/19/4124688/gamethread-30-new-jersey-devils-vs-new-york-rangersBlurred Cat2013-03-19T07:00:05-04:002013-03-19T07:00:05-04:00Devils vs. Rangers: Game 30 Preview
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<img alt="Remember when David Clarkson scored twice against the Rangers? It was awesome. Let's hope we can see it again tonight." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/oU6e22ACZb-Ed1X-5iE0XSvUZPc=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/10007869/20130205_jla_aa9_483.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Remember when David Clarkson scored twice against the Rangers? It was awesome. Let's hope we can see it again tonight. | USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The New Jersey Devils will take on the New York Rangers at the Rock tonight. This post previews the game by highlighting how both teams are similar (and different), the dangerous players on NY, and what the Devils lines will look like based on Monday's practice.</p> <p>Our Hated Rivals return to the Rock for the last time in this regular season.</p>
<p><b>The Time: </b>7:00 PM EDT</p>
<p><b>The Broadcast: </b>TV - MSG+2; Radio - 660 AM & 101.9 FM WFAN</p>
<p><b>The Matchup: </b>The <a href="https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New Jersey Devils</a> (13-10-6) vs. The <a href="https://www.blueshirtbanter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Rangers</a> (13-12-2, SBN Blog: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blueshirtbanter.com">Blueshirt Banter</a>)</p>
<p><b>The TiqIQ Ticket Link:</b> If you're in the Philadelphia area, then you might as well head on down to whatever bank owns their arena now and go to tonight's game. TiqIQ can help you out in getting tickets: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.tiqiq.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils-tickets/?publisherid=1011101">New Jersey Devils tickets.</a></p>
<p><b>The Last Devils Game: </b>The Devils hosted Montreal on Saturday night and honored longtime goaltending coach Jacques Caron prior to the game. The game itself wasn't a bad one from New Jersey but the familiar refrain of scoring troubles returned. <span>Carey Price</span> played a great game and he was only beaten twice. The first was when <span>Peter Harrold</span> scored a power play goal in the second period on a shot through traffic. The second was by <span>Ilya Kovalchuk</span> on a shorthanded 2-on-1, except Kovalchuk couldn't beat the right post. Price was big on all kinds of shots. <span>Johan Hedberg</span> had a solid game but he was victimized on the two goals allowed. In the first period, <span>Anton Volchenkov</span> loses the puck off a faceoff, knocks it away weakly, and <span>Colby Armstrong</span> swooped in to take it to the left dot and fire one through a screen for an early Montreal lead. In the third period, despite early pressure by the Devils, <span>Marek Zidlicky</span> backhanded a puck from his own corner into space without looking. That was a fundamental mistake and it cost the Devils when <span>Jarred Tinordi</span> immediately shot the loose puck and <span>Tomas Plekanec</span> re-directed it to go past Moose. The Devils did everything but score more than one goal and two mistakes burned them. Another good performance without good production and the Devils lost 2-1. My recap of the loss is here.</p>
<p><b>The Last Rangers Game: </b>The Rangers hosted Carolina on Monday night. Carolina unloaded on the Rangers in the first period as they led 14-6 in shots. The Canes only got one goal out of it and it came near the end from <span>Eric Staal</span> on Lundqvist's left flank. The Rangers would respond in both shots by leading the second 14-4 and with an equalizer from <span>Derek Stepan</span>. It was a bit controversial as <span>Dan Ellis</span> got run over prior to Stepan's shot. I'm not sure how it wasn't goalie interference but it was there. The teams played an even third period and both goalies stood tall; they continued to make stop after stop in overtime. In the shootout, <span>Rick Nash</span> and <span>J.T. Miller</span> made the difference with goals as the Canes got none. The Rangers snapped their three game losing streak with a 2-1 shootout win. <a href="http://www.blueshirtbanter.com" target="_blank">Go visit Blueshirt Banter for coverage of that game.</a></p>
<p><b>The Last Devils-Rangers Game: </b> The Devils hosted the Rangers for the first time this season on February 5. That was back when both teams weren't terribly low in shooting percentage. It took five minutes for the first goal and it came off the stick of <span>Adam Henrique</span>. Yes, the man who ended the Rangers' playoffs last May scored first in the first match-up between the two teams in 2013. After weathering a lot of penalty kills, the Devils doubled their lead when <span>David Clarkson</span> picked up a fumbled puck from Rick Nash and beat <span>Henrik Lundqvist</span>. The Rangers fought hard in the second period to get on the scoreboard but <span>Martin Brodeur</span> denied them as much as they could. Early in the third period, Clarkson got his second of the game off a rebound during a power play to make it 3-0. <span>Chris Kreider</span> got his first of the season minutes later on an open shot, but Brodeur was massive all the way through and the Devils held on to a 3-1 win. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.inlouwetrust.com/2013/2/6/3957626/a-clarkson-brace-brodeurs-grace-power-new-jersey-devils-beat-new-york-rangers">My recap of the win is right here.</a> For the opposition's side, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blueshirtbanter.com/2013/2/5/3957260/rangers-vs-devils-recap-brodeur-steals-the-show-as-devils-top-rangers">Bryan Winters actually praised Brodeur in his recap at Blueshirt Banter.</a></p>
<p><b>The Goal: </b>Forecheck early and often. The Rangers have struggled as of late. John Tortorella's "safe is wonderful" strategy such as dropping as many skaters below the dots in their own zone hasn't always been effective. Various players have been caught not backchecking hard enough or not being aware of where they need to be in their own end. The Devils may be snakebit when it comes to scoring goals for the past month or so, but I think they can help their cause by pressuring the Rangers in their own end. Keep in mind that all three goals the Devils scored on the Rangers on February 5 involved a Ranger either not keeping possession (the play behind the net before Henrique's goal, Rick Nash fumbling a puck in the slot) or not in the right position (Clarkson behind two Rangers for his rebound, Henrique getting not-defended by <span>Marian Gaborik</span>). A strong forecheck can expose this and hopefully give the Devils those great chances they may need to beat a top goalie.</p>
<p>At the risk of becoming hated by many fans, I want to point out that the Devils have some similarities to the Rangers this season as a team. I don't mean in the obvious sense that they both play hockey at a professional level, all the players are men, or that everyone has two legs. Both teams have been excellent possession teams. (Note: All numbers from here on out do not include the Rangers' game against Carolina.) <a target="_blank" href="http://behindthenet.ca/fenwick_2012.php?sort=6&section=close">According to Behind the Net</a>, both the Rangers and Devils are top ten teams in close-score Fenwick percentage. They are also both in the top ten in score-adjusted Fenwick percentage, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.inlouwetrust.com/2013/3/18/4117292/new-jersey-devils-strong-in-possession-bodes-well-for-making-the">as I showed yesterday.</a> They are each used to out-attempting their opposition. Both teams are also top ten teams when it comes to shots against per 60 minutes at even strength. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.behindthenet.ca/2012/team_data3.php?sort=18">Per Behind the Net</a>, the Devils have the third best rate at 23.9 and the Rangers have the sixth best rate at 27.1. Both teams are used to not giving up a lot in their own end.</p>
<p>It's especially notable that both teams have been absolutely unlucky at scoring goals this season. Both <a target="_blank" href="http://www.behindthenet.ca/2012/team_data3.php?sort=18">Behind the Net</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://stats.hockeyanalysis.com/teamstats.php?disp=1&db=201213&sit=5v5&sort=SHPCT&sortdir=DESC">Hockey Analysis</a> has the Devils and Rangers neck and neck for the sixth and fifth lowest shooting percentages. Hovering around 7% or lower isn't good for even strength production and it's hindering both teams. Similarly, both teams haven't found a lot of success on the power play. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/teamstats.htm?fetchKey=20132ALLSAAAll&sort=powerPlayPercentage&viewName=summary">According to NHL.com</a>, the Devils "boast" the 21st best conversion rate at 16.2% and the Rangers sitting at 24th with 15.1%. In general, you can point to both teams and say that while they may not give up a lot of goals, they haven't been scoring them and so they're on the playoff bubble in the East instead of battling among the teams at the top.</p>
<p>But the Rangers have been much more successful than the Devils at generating shots at even strength. They have averaged 30.3 shots for per 60 minutes, the seventh best rate in the league <a target="_blank" href="http://www.behindthenet.ca/2012/team_data3.php?sort=15">according to Behind the Net.</a> In comparison, the Devils are only at 25.8. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.behindthenet.ca/2012/team_data3.php?sort=19">Also according to Behind the Net</a>, the Rangers have benefited from better goaltending as their team save percentage in 5-on-5 play is 92.4%, a top ten rate and far superior to the Devils' 90.6%. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.htm?season=20122013&gameType=2&team=NYR&position=G&country=&status=&viewName=specialTeamSaves">Per NHL.com</a>, Henrik Lundqvist has been sensational with a 92.9% even strength save percentage and backup <span>Martin Biron</span> has been admirable at 92.8%. Far better than <a target="_blank" href="http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/comments/tuesdays_game_vs._rangers_not_only_big_one_on_devils_schedule_right_decision_for_matteau/">the Devils' starter for tonight</a>, Johan Hedberg, who comes into tonight's game with <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.htm?fetchKey=20132NJDGAGALL&sort=evenStrengthSavePctg&viewName=specialTeamSaves">an even strength save percentage of 90.4%</a>. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/teamstats.htm?fetchKey=20132ALLSAAAll&sort=penaltyKillPercentage&viewName=summary">Also according to NHL.com</a>, the Rangers' penalty kill has also been more notably successful with a success rate of 83%, the eleventh best in the league, compared to New Jersey's success rate of 79.3%, which ranks eighteenth. While both teams are similarly strong in possession and unlucky at scoring goals, the Rangers have been the better team this season at generating shots, killing penalties, and in net.</p>
<p>It's not all lopsided in the team stat department though. The Devils do have a superior shots for per 60 minute rate in 5-on-4 play at 49.4 compared to the Rangers' 44.5 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.behindthenet.ca/2012/team_data3.php?sort=25">according to Behind the Net.</a> I know the Devils' power play doesn't always generate these things called shots, but it has occasionally happened. In 4-on-5 situations, the Devils aren't just fantastic scorers with eight shorthanded goals, but <a target="_blank" href="http://www.behindthenet.ca/2012/team_data3.php?sort=48">Behind the Net has the Devils with one of the lowest shots against per 60 rates in the league at 43.2.</a> The Rangers, on the other hand, are at 46.3. Of course, New Jersey's problem as of late has been those shots going in; the Rangers haven't had that issue. Lastly, the Devils have the worse PDO of the two teams <a target="_blank" href="http://stats.hockeyanalysis.com/teamstats.php?disp=1&db=201213&sit=5v5&sort=PDO&sortdir=DESC">according to Hockey Analysis.</a> The Devils are at 984, which suggests they'll eventually turn their luck around. The Rangers are at 1000, which suggests that they may not. It's a reason <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=660720&navid=nhl:topheads">why Dave Lozo wrote on Monday at NHL.com that perhaps the Rangers are who they are.</a></p>
<p>But even if they're on the wrong side of the bubble as whoever they are, it's still a tough match-up. It's a hated rivalry and, from my standpoint at least, none of these games are easy. Maybe the Devils blow them out like they did to the <a href="https://www.broadstreethockey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Flyers</a> last week. Maybe the Rangers unload games of frustration on the Devils. Maybe it's a hideous game that sets back hockey twenty years. The uncertainty alone makes it difficult. Throw in the fact that both teams have had struggles to score and really need the points from this game, and it's enough to throw any kind of prediction awry.</p>
<p>The Rangers have some seriously dangerous players to deal with. Above all of them is Lundqvist. Provided he starts this game - he started against Carolina - he's proven to be more than capable of keeping a team in a game and stealing a result. He's an excellent goaltender. Biron has been great too so it's not like the Devils are going to have a much easier time if he's in net. I'm not expecting the Devils to break their shooting slump tonight if only because both goalies have been excellent at denying opponents lots of goals anyway.</p>
<p>While the Rangers have been shooting worse than the Devils, Peter DeBoer will have to devise a gameplan based around stopping their top six. <a target="_blank" href="http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/rangerrants/live_blog_rangers_vs._hurricanes_3_18/">Their first line against Carolina according to Andrew Gross at Ranger Rants</a> was Rick Nash, <span>Brad Richards</span>, and Marian Gaborik. To put it another way, that's the Rangers' top scorer with nine goals, fourteen assists, 99 shots on net, and can drive to the net with lots of power; a skilled winger who oozes offensive talent and has eight goals, nine assists, and 85 shots on net; and a center who may not be as productive as fans may want with four goals, eleven assists, and 59 shots on net, but it would be foolish to discount his playmaking abilities. That's not just a grammatical-nightmare of a sentence, but it's a very powerful line on paper. Good luck to either pairing that draws them regularly at evens.</p>
<p>Behind them would be the actual power players. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.behindthenet.ca/nhl_statistics.php?ds=30&s=13&f1=2012_s&f2=5v5&f4=C+LW+RW&f5=NYR&f7=5-&c=0+1+3+5+4+6+7+8+13+14+29+30+32+33+34+45+46+63+67">According to Behind the Net</a>, Derek Stepan and <span>Carl Hagelin</span> have faced off against the toughest competition among their forwards and they've done quite well against them. Not only do they have a good on-ice Corsi rate, but Stepan's second on the team in scoring with eight goals, eleven assists, and 58 shots on net while the fast Hagelin is fourth with seven goals, nine assists, and 90 shots on net. Those two were joined by <span>Ryan Callahan</span>, a fine player in his own right, against Carolina. This season, Callahan has nine goals, five of those nine on the power play (meaning he needs to be covered on the PK), five assists, and 70 shots on net. That's a strong second line that's going to be difficult enough to play against after the Richards line. Fortunately, the Rangers' depth beyond them hasn't been all that great. I guess that's why the fans want Kreider back.</p>
<p>Defensively, the team lost <span>Marc Staal</span> because he didn't wear a visor and got struck in the eye. The Rangers still remain a very good defensive team and that's due to their top pairing of <span>Dan Girardi</span> and <span>Ryan McDonagh</span>. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.behindthenet.ca/nhl_statistics.php?ds=30&s=13&f1=2012_s&f2=5v5&f4=D&f5=NYR&f7=5-&c=0+1+3+5+4+6+7+8+13+14+29+30+32+33+34+45+46+63+67">They regularly play a lot and succeed against the toughest competition at evens per Behind the Net.</a> Girardi was not active for the last Devils-Rangers game so he'll provide a slightly different look for the Devils offense. I would suspect the Devils' top six will see a lot of them. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.behindthenet.ca/nhl_statistics.php?ds=30&s=13&f1=2012_s&f2=5v5&f4=D&f5=NYR&f7=5-&c=0+1+3+5+4+6+7+8+13+14+29+30+32+33+34+45+46+63+67">Beyond them per Behind the Net</a>, <span>Anton Stralman</span> has been quite good in his role on the team, Roman Hamrilk was acquired and has done well against weak competition, and <span>Michael Del Zotto</span> hasn't been bad this season. Staal will be missed but the Rangers appear to be fine as a unit without him. Still, the Devils would be wise to really test Stralman, Hamrlik, and Del Zotto in their own end. Girardi and McDonagh are steady as one could hope on defense; those three plus <span>Steve Eminger</span> may crumble under pressure.</p>
<p>So the Rangers are tough at the top, similar to the Devils in a few important team stats, and better in a couple others. Again, it'll be a difficult game for the Devils. The good news is that the team that has been performing well in the past few games, such as against Montreal, will mostly be back again. OK, I'm not thrilled that <span>Krystofer Barch</span> is back on the fourth line in place of <span>Stefan Matteau</span>, who has been returned to his junior team. But I liked the team performance for most of the game against Montreal so I know the players can get the job done. <a target="_blank" href="http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/brodeur_returns_to_practice_with_devils/">Based on Tom Gulitti's report from practice on Monday</a>, the defensive pairings remains the same and there are a few shifts at forward. Adam Henrique will center Kovalchuk and <span>Alexei Ponikarovsky</span>; <span>Harri Pesonen</span> starts a second game alongside <span>Patrik Elias</span> and David Clarkson; and <span>Travis Zajac</span> will start with <span>Ryan Carter</span> and <span>Steve Bernier</span>. Tonight would be a great night for any number of these guys to get out of their respective scoring slumps. Given how the Rangers aren't particularly deep outside of their top six, whichever of these three lines that draws their thirds could have a real opportunity to make an impact.</p>
<p>The big story from practice is that Martin Brodeur was there, well, practicing. <a target="_blank" href="http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/comments/brodeur_wont_start_vs._rangers_tuesday_but_its_possible_he_could_back_up/">As Gulitti reported in this post at Fire & Ice</a>, he's not going to play tonight but he could very well be the backup. This could mean a return to starting later this week. Hedberg will start this one and he's been pretty good in recent games. He just hasn't had the goal support at times. Lundqvist/Biron can sympathize with that.</p>
<p>I think it'll be a tough game for both sides, what do you think will happen tonight? Who will score first? Will either team score more than just once on a goalie? Do you think we'll go beyond regulation? Who would you match against the Richards and Stepan lines tonight if you were Peter DeBoer? Which Devil do you think needs to have a big game tonight other than any of them for the team to win? Who will win? Please leave your answers and other thoughts about tonight's game in the comments. I'll be in Section 1, where will you be? Either way, thank you for reading.</p>
https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/2013/3/19/4121162/new-jersey-devils-vs-new-york-rangers-game-30-previewJohn Fischer