April 14, 2008, New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils Eastern Conference Quarterfinals game three game story for the Toronto Sun
Madden pots overtime winner
By DENIS GORMAN, SPECIAL TO SUN MEDIANEW YORK -- For two games, the Devils had to answer questions about fluky goals beating them. For one night, an odd goal won a must-have game for New Jersey.
John Madden's 19th career playoff goal 6:01 into overtime gave the Devils a 4-3 win last night at Madison Square Garden. They now trail the series 2-1, with Game 4 on Wednesday night in New York.
Following an offensive zone faceoff, Madden picked up the puck behind the net and threw it into the crease, where it deflected off Rangers rookie defenceman Marc Staal's skate and under Henrik Lundqvist.
"Kind of a lucky bounce, a lucky break," Madden said of his overtime goal. "We got a favourable bounce and we're back in the series."
After outplaying Martin Brodeur in the first two games, Lundqvist was decidedly mediocre, stopping 29 of 33 shots.
"They got two really good breaks tonight on their third and fourth goal, that's for sure," Lundqvist said. "Tonight was their night and we just have to forget about it and get ready for the next one."
Since joining the NHL in 1926, the Rangers have held a 2-0 playoff advantage 18 times, winning 17 of those series. Their only loss was at the hands of the 1968 Blackhawks in six games. That edition of the 'Hawks boasted a lineup that included Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita.
There is not a scorer of that calibre on the Devils. Zach Parise led New Jersey with 32 regular-season goals. Prior to last night, Parise and linemates Patrick Elias and Brian Gionta had been non-factors, combining for only four assists and a minus-2 rating.
Coach Brent Sutter broke up that line last night. Elias and Parise skated with Jamie Langenbrunner while Gionta was paired with Dainius Zubrus and Travis Zajac.
Elias and Parise scored their first goals of the series -- power-play markers 1:48 apart in the second to give the Devils a 3-2 lead -- and added an assist.
"We weren't involved in the first couple of games. We needed to step up and our power play got two goals," Elias said.
Rangers rookie Brandon Dubinsky scored his first two NHL playoff goals. His first tied the game 1-1 in the first. His second was a power play marker 55 seconds into the third to tie the game 3-3.
posted by Denis P. Gorman at 10:08 AM
<< Home