April 9, 2008, New York Rangers-New Jersey Devils advance for Toronto Sun
Devils-Rangers gearing up for tight battle
By DENIS GORMAN, Special to Sun MediaThere is the enmity born of two franchises sharing the same metropolitan area, separated only by a small body of water.
Four playoff series in 16 years ratcheted the contempt. Professional and personal rivalries abound between the public faces of the organizations. Finally, there is hatred, spawned off of the ultimate betrayal.
If Shakespeare were alive, he would write the wonderfully wicked tale, delighting in the delicious subplots.
Simply, it is New York Rangers-New Jersey Devils. And it begins, anew, tonight.
In what may be the most unpredictable NHL playoff in the league's history, the Rangers-Devils series should the tighest.
Yes, the Rangers won seven of the eight regular-season games. But four of the contests went to overtime and three of those were decided in a shootout.
"I'm anxious to get the series started, like the players," Devils head coach Brent Sutter said. "It's a great time of year. This series, the playoffs, is a whole new ball of wax. It will be a tight series."
As per its history, New Jersey was among the league's best defensive teams, finishing fourth overall and first in the East. The Devils yielded 197 goals during the regular season. Somewhat surprisingly, the Rangers were the second-best defensive team in the conference, finishing with 199 goals allowed.
It is a case of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts, considering that New York does not boast a shutdown defenceman.
"Speciality teams are going to be huge. To all of a sudden think that the New York Rangers are going to be somebody they're not ... (they will play to their identity)" Sutter said.
In what was an underwhelming season for him, Jaromir Jagr led the Rangers with 71 points and tied Chris Drury for the team-lead in goals with 25. Jagr scored two goals and tallied an assist against New Jersey in the regular season. However, in the season's final 10 games, a rejuvenated Jagr recorded 12 points (seven goals, five assists) and a plus-3 rating.
Previous Devils coaches directed John Madden and Jay Pandolfo to shadow Jagr, the duo's tight checking frustrating the Rangers' Czech superstar. Since becoming coach, Sutter has restructured the Devils' defensive responsibilities. Instead of Madden and Pandolfo, Dainius Zubrus and David Clarkson have been matched up with Jagr's line.
"We'll be okay. Our line has played against his line in the last four games," Clarkson said after yesterday's practice at The Prudential Center. "He's a big guy, protects the puck down low. You've got to hit him."
Perhaps the biggest factor in determining who wins the series will be secondary scoring.
Zach Parise led the Devils in goals (32) and points (65). After Parise, though, there was a precipitous drop off in scoring. If the Devils are to advance, Travis Zajac will be among the forwards who will have to score. The second year centre finished the regular season with 14 goals and 34 points. However, in the second half, he tallied three goals and eight points.
"Everyone is going to have to elevate their game." Zajac said. "We can't ride one line the whole way. Everyone is going to have to chip in with a goal."
posted by Denis P. Gorman at 4:10 PM
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