Devils at Rangers
THE STORY: The New York Rangers were threatening
to run away with the top seed in the Eastern Conference only to drop
five of their last seven contests. The Rangers' troubles have opened the
door for the three contending Atlantic Division teams to close in on
them. On Monday, the New Jersey Devils will look to improve their
postseason standing at New York's expense when they meet at Madison
Square Garden.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBCS, TSN2
ABOUT THE DEVILS (41-26-5):
New Jersey began New York's troubles with a 4-1 victory on March 6, but
the Devils have their own issues to address. Despite sitting
comfortably as the conference's sixth seed, New Jersey has seen its
offense go south. The Devils mustered only 14 shots in their 5-2 loss to
Pittsburgh on Saturday - and that effort came on the heels of a pair
goalless performances. Captain Zach Parise, who is mired in a three-game
streak without a point, has only one goal in eight games. Parise has
scored a goal and set up two others in five games versus the Rangers
this season.
ABOUT THE RANGERS (44-20-7): While injuries
and the flu have played a significant role in New York's latest swoon, a
lack of offense has also reared its ugly head. The Rangers have
mustered only 16 goals in their last seven games - with recent recall
Mats Zuccarello netting the team's lone goal in Saturday's 3-1 loss to
the Colorado Avalanche. All-Star Henrik Lundqvist returned after missing
two games with the flu and made 17 saves. The Swede has yielded five
goals in four starts versus the Devils.
OVERTIME:
1.
Although goaltender Martin Brodeur yielded five goals versus
Pittsburgh, coach Peter DeBoer admitted that "if it's not for Marty
Brodeur, we give up 10." The future Hall of Famer has yielded eight
goals en route to winning three of the five starts versus the Rangers
this season.
2. Rangers captain Ryan Callahan returned to the
lineup after missing three games with a foot injury. He had a goal and
an assist in a 2-0 win over New Jersey on Feb. 27, but was held off the
scoresheet in the other contests of the season series.