April 17, 2008; New York Rangers-New Jersey Devils Eastern Conference quarterfinals game four game story for the Toronto Sun.
Devils get Staaled in their tracks
Rookie helps Rangers take commanding lead
By DENIS GORMAN, SPECIAL TO SUN MEDIANEW YORK -- In their history, the New York Rangers have often traded young for old, tomorrow for today. Mostly, it has been a formula for failure.
Should the 2008 Rangers experience the ultimate success, it will be due to the organization's philosophical shift. This version is an amalgamation of youth and veterans, a group whose future is as bright as its present.
Last night, the two groups combined to push the organization one step away from advancing to the second round, after New York's 5-3 win at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers have a 3-1 lead going back to the Prudential Center and have an opportunity to close out the series tomorrow night.
Marc Staal's first NHL playoff goal at 16:47 of the third period was the game-winner. Staal, who had John Madden's pass deflect off his skate and past Henrik Lundqvist on Sunday, received a pass from Martin Straka and beat Devils goalie Martin Brodeur to the far post at 16:27 of the third.
"It's incredible," said Staal, the 16th pick in the 2005 NHL entry draft. "To get one in the playoffs, at the time I got it, it's great.
"I was coming into the zone and Marty (Straka) slid it over. I was thinking shoot right away. I hesitated and shot it to the far post. It's very cool to score a goal in the playoffs."
Throughout the series, Rangers coach Tom Renney has praised the poise of his young players. Last night was no different. Defenceman Daniel Girardi recorded an assist and a game high eight hits. Centre Brandon Dubinsky had an assist and was plus-one, and spent much of the evening cycling the puck behind Brodeur. Along with getting the game-winner, Staal was plus-two. Right wing Ryan Callahan was a forechecking force.
The Rangers received two goals--the game's first and last--from Scott Gomez, along with tallies from Straka and Chris Drury.
Patrick Elias potted two goals in the second for New Jersey -- including a power play tally -- and Mike Mottau scored 4:37 into the third for the Devils.
"We hung in there," Drury said. "It is tough getting a lead and losing it, especially in the third. We thought we were going to shut them down in the third and win 3-2. We didn't panic. We hung in there and stayed with the system."
Neither Renney nor Devils coach Brent Sutter was pleased with the interesting interpretation of the rules by officials Kevin Pollock and Dennis LaRue. Renney would not criticize them, but the look on his face belied his unhappiness.
Sutter offered his opinion on Pollock's and LaRue's work, especially a second-period diving call on Brodeur. New York right wing Fredrik Sjostrom skated through Brodeur's crease. The Devils' netminder went down. Sjostrom was given two minutes for goaltender interference while Brodeur was called for diving.
posted by Denis P. Gorman at 9:35 AM
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