Devils run roughshod over Rangers 4-1

The New Jersey Devils dominated the first and third periods and repelled a New York Ranger charge in the second period as the Devils won a richly deserved 4-1 decision at the Rock.
Devils goals to Ilya Kovalchuk in the first (26) and the remaining three goals were scored in the third by David Clarkson (26),Patrik Elias (22 empty net) and Ryan Carter (3).
The Devils return to the ice tomorrow at the Rock against the Islanders in the first of a two game/three day set against the Gorton Gang....

Hell Raisers

1) Nice night for fourth liner Ryan Carter,who not only scored a goal,but set the stage for the game with a first period fight with Ranger instigator Brandon Dubinsky.
Carter showed the Rangers that the fire that was lacking against the Islanders was there on this night.
An additional bonus went to Carter as Dubinsky injured his hand in the fight,which ended his night early.
Rough night for Dubinsky,who was clearly outpointed in the battle...



2) Kudos for a similar fast start to Ilya Kovalchuk,who scored the games first goal 49 seconds into the game and ended a nine game streak without a goal for himself.
When the Kovalchuk/Henrique/Parise line is running strong,the Devils are a tough team to stop....

3) David Clarkson's deflection of a Petr Sykora shot took all the air out of the Rangers after a strong second period by the Blueshirts.
The intensity difference from the visitors was quite apparent thereafter...

4) Martin Brodeur was brilliant in goal with one spectacular face first diving saves and several strong saves with the glove.
Super performance from Brodeur....

5) I also thought Marek Zidlicky played his best game as a Devil,but Anton Volchenkov was very sharp as well.Volchenkov seemed to be the bully of the ice on this night and was a major part of the Rangers poor first and third periods....

I doubt that I will have much Cavalier news for a day or two.
I missed some of the loss to Utah and the nine o'clock start on a worknight tonight in Denver makes that unlikely.
The Friday night tipoff at eight in Oklahoma City gives me a fighting chance on that one.

Photo Credits:AP Photo