There is no love lost in the classic Hudson River Rivalry between the Devils and Rangers.
Since the lockout ended, both teams have made the playoffs in four straight seasons. Each team has one playoff series win against the other (Devils in 2006, Rangers in 2008). Tri-state hockey (excepting the Islanders. Sorry, Isles fans) has lately enjoyed somewhat of a Golden Age. Wednesday night’s preseason action was no exception.
The Rangers didn’t have to go far for their second preseason tilt, as the Devils played host to the Blueshirts in the preseason opener at The Rock. While most preseason games feel like an exhibition, this one had a playoff atmosphere. As Martin Brodeur sat out, Devils fans got a glimpse of the future with the stellar Jan Danis in net. He made 28 of 30 saves and picked up the win. The Rangers started Henrik Lunqvist, who made 16 of 17 saves before giving way to Chad Johnson who saved 19 of 20.
A surplus of penalties saw both teams with a steady line of players in and out of the sin bin. Combined, the teams tallied 18 penalties (9 each), including four 5-minute majors for fighting. The Devils looked great on special teams; they killed every Ranger power play and forward David Clarkson netted two power play goals to give his Devs a 2-0 lead after two periods.
In the 3rd, the Rangers got a glimpse of their own future as former Boston University defenseman — and 2009 Hobey Baker Memorial Award winner — Matt Gilroy cut the lead to 2-1. Jordan Owens tied the game at 2-2.
After 60 minutes with nothing settled, the teams headed to overtime. The Rangers killed off a penalty and Johnson stood on his head in the overtime period, forcing a shootout.
The Devils didn’t use the shootout to scout their rookies to see how they would handle pressure. Instead, they sent out seasoned vets as if a playoff berth were at stake. Jacques Lemaire tapped Brendan Shanahan, David Clarkson, Nicklas Bergfors, Brian Rolston, Zach Parise and Travis Zajac. Rangers head coach John Tortorella loaded up Ales Kotalik, Pierre Parenthaeu, Michael Del Zotto, Vinny Prospal, Matt Gilroy and Enver Lisin.
Lemaire’s ploy to use his big guns proved the difference maker. Gilroy was the only Ranger to score — he beat Danis five-hole — in the skills contest, and he showed a hint of the impact he’s expected to make this season.
Parise and Zajac each notched tallies and looked in midseason form. Parise used a nifty triple deke to beat Johnson. Zajac ripped a game winning wrister top-shelf on the Rangers netminder.
After such an electric preseason game it’s easy to be excited about the 2009-10 installment of the Hudson River Rivalry.
For now, it’s Devils 1 – Rangers 0.
