April 10, 2008, New York Rangers-New Jersey Devils Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Game One story for the Toronto Sun

Lundqvist steals Game 1

Rangers ride goaltender to take series lead

By DENIS GORMAN, SPECIAL TO THE SUN

NEWARK, N.J. -- Hours before Game 1, standing in the bowels of the Prudential Center, New York Rangers coach Tom Renney was asked if Henrik Lundqvist could steal the series.

Renney did not hesitate in his response.

"We believe in our guy. He has given us every reason to believe in him," Renney said.

And nothing has changed, not after New York won 4-1 last night. The Rangers lead the best-of-seven series 1-0 with Game 2 tomorrow night in New Jersey.

Lundqvist stopped 26 shots to earn his seventh career playoff win and his first against the Devils. Two years ago, the Devils swept the Rangers out of the playoffs in the first round. Lundqvist, who suffered from migraines and a groin injury during that series, allowed 13 goals in three games.

"It's a big difference. We have a healthy team, we're a different team. Two years ago, I had an injury and headaches and all that stuff," Lundqvist said. "Now I'm really hungry to play. I want to win. It's really exciting to be out there and play."

Ryan Callahan scored the game-winner 7:23 into the third period, backhanding a rebound off a Scott Gomez shot past a slow-to-react Martin Brodeur. Brodeur turned away 24 shots for the Devils.

"You give up a shorthanded goal at that point -- 11:30 to go in the game -- you can't do that that this time of year," Devils coach Brent Sutter said. "Again, you're in a 1-1 game going into the last half of the third period. You can't allow the second goal to happen."

LITTLE THINGS

In talking about what it takes to experience success in the playoffs, Renney cautioned that his team needed to do the little things in order to win, especially against an opponent that is its mirror image.

"The season can be over pretty quickly if you don't pay attention," Renney said in a pre-game press conference.

And the Rangers promptly went out and attempted to prove their coach's theory right.

Lundqvist turned aside all eight Devils shots in the first period, including consecutive golden chances by Brian Gionta.

Lundqvist also was lucky; Sergei Brylin had the Rangers goaltender beat on a breakaway, but Brylin's wrist shot hit the crossbar.

During the regular season, Lundqvist was stellar against the Devils. He compiled a 7-0-1 record with a 1.09 GAA and two shutouts.

"We had a good year against them, but we had a couple breaks," Lundqvist said. "They're a good team. We have to realize that we got a couple breaks that got us the win. Hopefully we can keep going."

The Rangers scored the first goal of the series 1:45 into the second period on a Brendan Shanahan snapshot. New Jersey tied the game on Paul Martin's power-play goal with 5:46 remaining in the second. It was Martin's second NHL playoff goal.

Sean Avery (short-handed) and Nigel Dawes (empty net) scored late goals to salt the game away.

Avery refused to speak to the media before or after the game.

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