Third Verse-Same as the first!

The third game of the Eastern Conference finals looked a lot like game one of the series.
Unfortunately for the New Jersey Devils and me,that was a loss as was game three as the New York Rangers broke a scoreless tie with two goals in less than two minutes in the third period in a 3-0 win.
The Rangers now regain home ice advantage and lead the series two games to one.
Game four is Monday at the Rock.
I will be in Frederick for the first visit of the Carolina Mudcats to Frederick unless the game is rained out,so I will be watching the game on tape,unless the game enters overtime.....


Hell Raisers

1) The time out came into play for both teams with one calling theirs at just the right time and the other perhaps not using it as well....
The Devils dominated the first period and yet did not score,but during this run,John Tortarealla called a timeout to berate his team and change the momentum.
It worked as the Rangers played much better after that and put themselves into a position to win...

2) The first Ranger goal came on a power play that was caused by Bryce Salvador's hooking penalty.
The Devils had to ice the puck twice and in addition to a long backcheck in their own zone,the Devils were exhausted and might have been better served to use the timeout.
Pete DeBoer didn't,the penalty ensued and that allowed the Rangers to score on the man advantage...

3) More bad officiating as Brandon Prust clearly elbowed Anton Volchenkov with an elbow that would have made the American Dream Dusty Rhodes proud.
No penalty called,but Prust is expected to miss the next game once the player control henchman Brendan Shanahan gets a hold of this one.
The refs looked very bad in missing this one...

4) Henrik Lundqvist was terrific in net.
The Devils had several excellent chances and Lundqvist turned them all away.
You have to give credit where it is deserved and on this day-Lundqvist was the difference in this game...

5) Devils 0 for 5 on the power play.
Not very much that I can add to that other than I tired very quickly of Marek Zidlicky's puckhandling mishaps on the power play.
I counted at least three of those occurring when the Devils appearing to have the Rangers scrambling to keep things in their control...

6) Martin Brodeur was flat out up to the level of Lundqvist for two periods with several saves that kept me shaking my head.
I cannot blame him truly for either of the two goals allowed,especially not the first.
On a day that Marty needed to be perfect,he was only tremendous.

7) Henrik Tallinder and Jacob Josefson are now practicing,could either or both return to the lineup for Monday's game?
If so,I would think Tallinder would replace Peter Harrold and Josefson could take Ryan Carter's spot in the lineup....