May 22, 2012, New Jersey Devils-New York Rangers Game 5 Eastern Conference Final advance notebook for Metro Newspaper in NYC
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Brad Richards is one of many players on the top lines that have struggled.
It is still to be determined whether the Rangers or Devils will
represent the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup finals.
What is known is when the championship round games will begin.
The NHL announced the schedule for the Stanley Cup finals Tuesday
afternoon. Game 1 is next Wednesday at either Madison Square Garden or
the Prudential Center due to the Rangers and Devils finishing the
regular season with higher point totals than the Los Angeles Kings or
Phoenix Coyotes.
All games will start at 8 p.m. NBC will air Games 1 and 2, and, if
necessary, 5, 6 and 7. NBC Sports Network will broadcast Games 3 and 4.
The Kings lead the Coyotes, 3-1, in the Western Conference Final. Game 5 was Tuesday night in Phoenix.
Tortorella 'prays' for offense
The Rangers have marginally outscored the Devils, 9-7, through the first
four games. Five of the Rangers’ goals have come from forwards, led by
Chris Kreider (three goals), while Artem Anisimov, Ryan Callahan and
Ruslan Fedotenko have solved Martin Brodeur once.
The Rangers’ top-six forwards are going to need to contribute
offensively for the franchise to advance to its first Stanley Cup finals
appearance in 18 years. Marian Gaborik, Derek Stepan and Carl Hagelin
do not have a point, while Brad Richards has no goals but three assists
in the series.
“Pray,” John Tortorella said when asked what could be done about the
top-six forwards’ lack of production. “I don't know what else to tell
you. We're going to keep on trying to play, pray, and hopefully
something good happens to them.”
The Devils’ forecheck has been problematic for the Rangers, who have spent much of the series in their end of the ice.
“We don't have the puck enough. Jersey has [had] the puck a lot more
minutes than we do. I think that's something we need to try to change,”
Tortorella said. “It's getting out of your end clean. It's holding on to
pucks in their end when they have opportunities. It comes just within
your play. So there's no one particular thing. But it has been a series
so far of them having the puck a lot more than we have. And that's what
we're going to try to change.
“I think it's tactical, execution [and] willingness,” Tortorella said.
“All sorts of things come into play as far as territory and puck
possession. It's just a simple fact. We need to get better at it.”
Injuries progressing
Tortorella said that both Brandon Dubinsky and Mats Zuccarello
participated in the Rangers’ brief practice at the Garden on Tuesday. He
said he had “no update” on the forwards’ availability as he had not
spoken with head trainer Jim Ramsay.
The coach was pleased with his team’s mindset at practice.
“I think our meetings were good today. I think our practice had some
jump. I just like watching the attitude of players. I think they're
looking forward to playing their next game, as all of [the players] are
this time of year. They don't want to spend too much time waiting
around. They want to play. I felt we had a really good day today,”
Tortorella said. He also noted that there was not a video review session
of what transpired in Game 4.
Follow Rangers beat writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman.
Follow Rangers beat writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman.
http://www.metro.us/newyork/sports/article/1143789--rangers-notebook-stanley-cup-schedule-rangers-pray-for-scoring
posted by Denis P. Gorman at 10:43 PM
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