Devils gladly take 'lucky' overtime win
NEW YORK: The New Jersey Devils beat the New York Rangers 4-3 in overtime in Game 3 on Sunday to claw their way back into the NHL's Eastern Conference playoff series.
After losing the first two games at home, the Devils could not afford a defeat in New York and their victory narrowed the deficit to 2-1 in the best-of-seven quarterfinal series.
John Madden was credited with the winning goal six minutes into the extra period, his shot deflecting into the net off the skate of Rangers defenseman Marc Staal.
"I'm not going to lie. It was a lot of luck," Madden told reporters. "I thought Sergei (Brylin) might be there, but their guy was standing there. It hit him in the foot and went in. It was real lucky, but we need to get those breaks to get back into the series."
The Devils took an early lead at Madison Square Garden with another deflected goal when Arron Ashram's shot hit Sergei Brylin's skate and flew past goaltender Henrik Lundqvist.
Rookie forward Brandon Dubinsky tied it for the Rangers and the home team went ahead in the second period through Sean Avery on a 5-on-3 power play.
Power-play goals from Patrik Elias and Zach Parise put the visitors ahead 3-2, but Dubinsky leveled with his second goal of the game early in the third period, also on the powerplay.
The Rangers have beaten the Devils three times out of four in playoff series, but New Jersey has won the Stanley Cup three times since New York last won it in 1994.
After losing twice last week to their big-city rivals, the Devils came across the Hudson River looking to get to the Rangers early. Just three minutes and one second into the game, the puck was past New York's Swedish goalie Lundqvist, but it took a five-minute TV review to ensure he did not kick the puck, before the goal was given.
The first period lacked the free-flowing hockey of last week's games and became a dour affair full of mistakes.
But after Dubinsky tied the score with a turnaround shot, the intensity increased, led by the Rangers' Avery, who twice hit Devils goalie Martin Brodeur, once legitimately and once for which he was penalized.
Game 4 is on Wednesday.
Agencies
(China Daily 04/15/2008 page24)
