Rangers come width of post away from tying Devils

2010-11 Game No. 54; Home Game No. 27		Rangers' Record: 29-21-4
VIDEO: TORTORELLA POSTGAME
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GAME RECAP By Jim Cerny, newyorkrangers.com The Rangers could not have come any closer to erasing a three-goal deficit and forcing overtime on Thursday night against the Devils at Madison Square Garden. However, Brandon Dubinsky’s redirection of a Dan Girardi pass caught a piece of New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur and then hit the post behind him with less than a second remaining in regulation, and the Rangers instead dropped a 3-2 decision to their rivals from New Jersey. With goaltender Martin Biron pulled for an extra attacker, the Rangers were able to win a battle for a loose puck deep in the Devils’ zone as the game clock wound down to single digits. Marian Gaborik slid the puck to Girardi along the half-wall on right wing, and Girardi in turn whipped a desperation pass in the slot to Dubinsky who deflected the disc past a sprawling Brodeur, unfortunately catching iron instead of net with 0.9 of a second remaining to play. “It was a tough break, but we can’t spot them a 3-0 lead,” said Dubinsky. “We have to find a way to cash in on a couple opportunities and get the lead, and not fall down 3-0. It’s frustrating, that’s for sure.” Games between the Rangers and Devils usually revolve around the great goaltending matchup of Henrik Lundqvist vs. Martin Brodeur. However, on Thursday Lundqvist struggled, allowing three goals on 12 shots before being pulled in favor of Biron late in the second period, while Brodeur stopped 25 of 27 shots from the Blueshirts, who have gone 0-2-1 in their last three games. “I think we played well enough the last three games to get five out of the six points,” said Rangers head coach John Tortorella. “Let’s call a spade a spade, our goaltending hasn’t been there,  .... • READ THE FULL STORY | PHOTO GALLERY

PHOTO OF THE GAME STAT OF THE GAME Twelve of the Rangers’ last 14 games have been decided by one goal (6-5-1 record in those games), including five that required overtime with four going to a shootout. Going into Thursday night, the team was tied for fifth in the NHL with a .600 winning percentage in one-goal games, posting a record of 15-6-4 in those contests. Their 15 wins were tied for fourth in the NHL THREE STARS (selected by newyorkrangers.com) 1. V. Prospal 2. R. Callahan 3. B. Dubinsky

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THE BIGGER PICTURE Once again, the Rangers refused to fold despite trailing by two goals in the third period, and ended up coming within inches of tying the game. About three months from now, this brand of relentless determination could translate into a real Cinderella playoff run.

RANGERS LEADERS Icetime -- Staal (23:38) Shots -- Prospal (5) Hits -- Wolski (4) Blocks -- Del Zotto (3) Takeaways -- Gaborik (3) Faceoffs -- Dubinsky (17)

NEW YORK RANGERS LINEUP VS. NEW JERSEY
FORWARD LINES
Left Wing	Center	Right Wing
Brandon Dubinsky	Artem Anisimov	Ryan Callahan
Vinny Prospal	Derek Stepan	Marian Gaborik
Mats Zuccarello	Brian Boyle	Brandon Prust
Wojtek Wolski	Chris Drury	Sean Avery

DEFENSE PAIRINGS
Left Defense	Right Defense
Marc Staal	Dan Girardi
Ryan McDonagh	Michael Sauer
Michael Del Zotto	Matt Gilroy
Goaltenders: Henrik Lundqvist, Martin Biron Starting Lineup: Lundqvist, Staal, Girardi, Dubinsky, Anisimov, Callahan.

POWER PLAY UNITS
FORWARD LINES
Left Wing	Center	Right Wing
Wojtek Wolski	Vinny Prospal	Marian Gaborik
Brandon Dubinsky	Artem Anisimov	Ryan Callahan

POINT MEN
Left Point	Right Point
Michael Del Zotto	Mats Zuccarello
Marc Staal	Dan Girardi

PENALTY KILLING UNITS
FORWARD UNITS
Forward	Forward
Artem Anisimov	Chris Drury
Brandon Prust	Brian Boyle
Ryan Callahan	Brandon Dubinsky

DEFENSE PAIRINGS
Left Defense	Right Defense
Marc Staal	Dan Girardi
Ryan McDonagh	Sauer/Gilroy