The Rangers returned to the Prudential Center for the first time since being eliminated from the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals last spring and ended up with a similarly disappointing result Tuesday night, falling to the New Jersey Devils 3-1. Despite the defeat, the game saw impressive performances from two of the Rangers top prospects, 2009 first rounder Chris Kreider and 2011 top pick J.T. MIller.
Trailing 3-0 after David Clarkson's second goal of the game---a power play putback at 2:53 of the final period--- Kreider finally got the Rangers on the board against Martin Brodeur at 6:28. Moments after a successful Rangers penalty kill Brad Richards flipped the puck to Kreider in full flight on left wing, and the rookie roofed a snap shot udner the crossbar for his first regular season NHL goal, cutting the visitors deficit to 3-1.
New Jersey had scored twice in the first period to put the Rangers in a tough 2-0 road hole. Adam Henrique one-timed a Clarkson pass from behind the net past Henrik Lundqvist just five minutes into the game. And then with 53 seconds to play in the opening stanza Clarkson dug the puck out of Rick Nash's skates and whizzed a quick shot past Lundqvist for a 2-0 Devils lead.
The Rangers knew they'd be without their captain Ryan Callahan on Tuesday, as he remains on Injured Reserve with a subluxed left shoulder. But they likely didn't count on playing without All Star defenseman Dan Girardi, as well. However that is the hand the Rangers were dealt Tuesday when the team announced just before faceoff that Girardi was "banged up" and unable to play just hours after taking part in the team's morning skate.
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STAT OF THE GAME
The Blueshirts have now had eight new players on their roster this season, with Darroll Powe and J.T. Miller both making their Rangers debuts in Tuesday's game. |
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| (selected by newyorkrangers.com) |
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| 1. Kreider |
2. McDonagh |
3. Nash |
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