Faceoff Factor

Devils Vs. Rangers Game 4 Preview

Michael Farkas | National Hockey League

Apr 16, 05:44 AM | Hype this story!

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Devils (4) vs. Rangers (5) Game 4
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Series Score: Devils 1 – 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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The Devils succeeded in getting back into this series by way of an overtime winner from John Madden via Marc Staal’s skate. A chance for the Rangers to put the Devils in a near-impossible spot goes by the boards. With momentum on New Jersey’s side, they will try to steal two games in New York before heading home once again.

Game 3’s most (in)famous event came on a 5-on-3 power play for New York in which agitating winger Sean Avery turned his back to the play and started waving his stick in front of Martin Brodeur’s face while shots were coming at him. Avery kept this up despite teammate Chris Drury and a referee telling him to essentially, get back in the play.

The shenanigans yielded a rule adjustment immediately. Avery’s antics will now be considered an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty should anyone try to follow in his footsteps.

Even teammate Steven Valiquette disapproved of Avery’s actions, “It’s not in the spirit of the game. It worked and it’s effective, but it’s a gentleman’s game, much like golf…I probably would have reacted differently. Sean would have been picking his teeth up off the ice if it was me.”

Meanwhile, the Devils change in fortune can be linked, quite obviously, to their scoring in game 3. Four goals, including two power play tallies, helped spur them to just their second win in 11 tries against New York this year.

Devils coach Brent Sutter expects to keep the same lineup as game 3, which means Andy Greene will be scratched and Vitaly Vishnevski will take his place. Sutter moved Gionta up to play Zubrus and Zajac late in game 3, but during today’s practice Gionta back with Madden and Pandolfo on the checking line.

Sutter said regarding the lines, “We’ll see…how the game is going, see certain elements that are taking place in the game and you go with your gut.”

Tom Renney did not suggest any lineup changes for his squad either. Glove-dropper Colton Orr practiced with the team for the first time since breaking his toe late in the regular season.

The Blueshirts have another chance to deliver a costly blow to their local area foes tonight at the Garden.

Game 4 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