Faceoff Factor

Devils Vs. Rangers Game 5 Preview

Michael Farkas | National Hockey League

Apr 18, 03:41 PM | Hype this story!

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Devils (4) vs. Rangers (5) Game 5
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Series Score: Devils 1 – Rangers 3
Game Time: 7:30 EST
Location: The Prudential Center (Newark)
Television: TSN, MSG, MSG+

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Preview
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A Marc Staal goal in the last 4 minutes of what was a 3-3 tie went a long way to breaking the Devils’ backs. The Devils will now have to rely on clichés like “...one game at a time” as they try to stave off elimination in front of their home fans tonight.

Game 4 was a back and forth affair that saw the Rangers take the lead on four separate occassions. And of course, the normal New York/New Jersey chippiness ensued. And once again, bad breaks got the better of the Devils, including an empty netter awarded to Scott Gomez. In this instance, a center ice faceoff was won so cleanly by John Madden that it slid all the way into the Devils’ yawning net to seal a Ranger game 4 victory.

The Rangers, though, feel they are prepared for a desperate Devils team. Young center Brandon Dubinsky said, “I’ve been in [this] situation before and I think your mind-set going in is just, ‘Bring everything you’ve got. Throw the kitchen sink at them.’”

Brent Sutter doesn’t seem to have any tricks up his sleeve for this one. In standard Sutter fashion he said, “...You can’t look at ‘what-ifs’ or whatever. The only thing that matters is one game right now. We just have to focus in on this one game and take care of this one game…And then, when this game is over…then we’ll start preparing for the next one.”

The Devils are at least somewhat well-versed in the art of winning three straight in a best of seven series. They ralled from down 3-1 to Philadelphia in the 2000 Eastern Conference Finals.

Brian Gionta and Mike Rupp did not practice yesterday, but are expected to play. Rupp may come in handy especially tonight because of the rough treatment that Martin Brodeur has been receiving all series long.

Devils lunch-pailer Jay Pandolfo said, “They are getting away with it (contact with the goaltender); we should be able to get away with it too.” So, look for some extra heavy net-crashing by some fiesty New Jersey players here in game 5.

In a bit of an editorial statement, I can’t remember where I have seen more goalies get run into than I have in these playoffs. Cristobal Huet is getting run into hard about twice a period in Philadelphia, Brodeur gets fallen on by Avery every shift it seems and the refs are allowing it for the most part. Then last night, they tried to make up for it and they made two of the worst calls I’ve ever seen: Kozlov’s goaltender interference in the last 3 minutes of a tie game and the goal that was waived off in the Dallas/Anaheim game because of Niklas Hagman. Both were horrendous calls. I don’t like to complain about officiating because hindsight is easy, but they are calling the wrong ones and letting go the actual calls.

All that aside, expect a high-tempo, physical contest as the Devils look to extend their season for one more game tonight at The Rock at 7:30.

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