Faceoff Factor

Devils Vs. Rangers Game 3 Preview

Michael Farkas | National Hockey League

Apr 13, 02:40 AM | Hype this story!

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Devils (4) vs. Rangers (5) Game 3
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Series Score: Devils 0 – Rangers 2
Game Time: 7:00 EST
Location: Madison Square Garden (New York)
Television: TSN, Vs., MSG, MSG+

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Preview
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“Deur Die” for the Devils tonight in game 3. They are on the road in a 2-0 hole and with only two goals to claim as their own in this series. The Devils may have had a better shot at an even series heading to the Garden if it wasn’t for some questionable officiating in game 2.

After the Devils got with one, on a John Madden goal with 1:23 left, the Devils were assessed a penalty after an offensive zone faceoff. The call was one you wouldn’t typically see in the last minute of a one-goal playoff game. The Devils were shorthanded and a puck that was sent in from the other side of the red line was touched by a Ranger and unconscionably ruled an icing.

Madden, among others, lost his cool, and the refs admitted their mistake and moved the faceoff to center. To which Devils coach Brent Sutter did not seem to terribly content. “I just don’t understand it. You know there’s a mistake on the icing call and you don’t let the faceoff go back in the [Rangers’ zone]. ...It’s almost like you’re saying you’re half right when it’s the wrong call.”

Sutter, who broke a stick over the boards in protesting the icing call, would also have to watch two non-calls go against his club in the last minute of play. Blair Betts’ piggy back ride on Paul Martin as he escaped from his own zone and then in the last 20 seconds, a cross-check behind the Rangers’ net that caused a turnover.

The Devils couldn’t get a call to go their way or a bounce. A Colin White collision with Martin Brodeur led to the first Ranger goal. Then, late in the third, an alleged Brian Gionta goal came back inconclusive from the war room in Toronto.

Some unluckiness has kept the Devils down, but it may not be enough to knock them out. They have been a resilient team in the last few seasons, and often put themselves in a tough spot before “waking up.”

“I think we’ve had a tendency to do that,” Jamie Langenbrunner said about the team putting itself behind the 8-ball. “We’ve all been able to respond by drawing on our experiences — good and bad.”

Sutter did hint at a lineup change for game 3. The most likely scenario would see Andy Greene moved to the press box and physical defenseman Vitaly Vishnevski inserted into the lineup. But that has not been confirmed.

The attention is on New Jersey and the Rangers seem very quiet. Including Brendan Shanahan who has all but refused to talk to the media since game 2.

Martin Brodeur and the Devils, hope their luck will change and the pucks will find the back of the net. Meanwhile, the Rangers would love to get one step closer to a retaliatory sweep in their own home barn.

Game 3 is tonight at 7:00 in MSG.

For a complete list of team leaders and statistics, click here.
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Injuries
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New Jersey: No major injuries
New York: Colton Orr (broken toe); Out