So much for a goaltending duel.
Henrik Lundqvist allowed three weak goals on twelve shots before being pulled in the second period, while Martin Brodeur looked shaky in stopping 25 of 27 shots against him. Brodeur also uncharacteristically allowed a sharp-angle slap shot goal to break the Devils' 3-0 lead.
The loss also ruined Vinny Prospal's season debut. Returning from a knee injury, Prospal scored, skated well, and showed no signs of rust playing first line minutes.
His presence could help the offensively slumping Rangers and their anemic power play. Prospal was second on the team in scoring last season, playing mainly with Marian Gaborik on the top line.
Ilya Kovalchuk opened the scoring with his 15th goal just 1:04 into the game, as his wrist shot from between the right circle and boards may have benefitted from a deflection off Rangers defenseman Michael Sauer. Definitely a stoppable shot, but if Lundqvist has an Achilles heel, it's definitely high shots.
Marc Staal took a tripping penalty at midperiod, giving the Devils their first power play. During the kill Brandon P ...
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Article written by danny maloney jr
Devils vs. Rangers: Rangers Drop Second in a Row at Home
February 3rd, 2011 by danny maloney jr Leave a reply »
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