Rangers Get Routed Again, This Time by the Devils
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
Patrik Elias and Sergei Brylin each scored two goals and Martin Brodeur made 35 saves to lead the Devils to a 6–1 victory over the Rangers yesterday, New York’s second embarrassing loss in two days.
On Saturday night in Toronto, the Maple Leafs routed the Rangers 9–2.
Jamie Langenbrunner and Zach Parise also scored for New Jersey.
Petr Prucha had New York’s lone goal.
New Jersey’s last two goal were reviewed. At 18:08 of the third period, goalie Kevin Weekes appeared to stop Parise’s shot, but a video review revealed that the puck crossed the goal line. It was Parise’s 11th of the season.
Elias beat Weekes at 14:59 of the third period, but the puck bounced out of the net and play continued for several minutes before a stoppage allowed a review. Elias was credited with his 12th goal and the clock was reset to the point the goal occurred.
Brylin’s second of the game, at 1:49 of the third period, put New Jersey ahead 4–1. Parise carried the puck into the Rangers’ end on a 2-on-1 break and passed to Brylin, who backhanded the puck past Weekes for his sixth goal.
The Devils snapped a three-game losing streak, while the Rangers have lost the two lopsided games after winning five straight.
Elias opened the scoring with his 11th goal, beating Weekes on a 5-on-3 power play with 34 seconds in the first period. Elias took a pass from Brian Rafalski in the right faceoff circle and one-timed a shot past Weekes.
Langenbrunner scored an unassisted goal at 6:25 of the second period. With the Devils on a power play. Langenbrunner’s shot from just inside the blue line deflected off of Marcel Hossa’s stick and into the net for his 13th goal.
Prucha pulled New York to 2–1 at 7:33 of the second. Jaromir Jagr sprung him loose on a breakaway with a long pass through center ice. Prucha skated in on Brodeur and chipped a backhand shot into the top of the net for his sixth goal.
New Jersey converted another power play chance at 10:05 to go ahead 3-1. Parise forced a turnover in the slot and the puck bounced to Brylin, who slipped it between Weekes’s pads.
Notes: With two forwards scratched, Michael Nylander (flu) and Matt Cullen (sprained knee), the Rangers dressed seven defensemen.
