The Devils lost Game 1 to the Rangers 3-0, but they are very capable of tying this series at one apiece Wednesday night (Anthony Gruppuso-US PRESSWIRE)

The Devils fell 3-0 to the New York Rangers Monday night in the opening game of the Eastern Conference Finals. In professional hockey, a three goal differential can be considered a bit lopsided to some who only had the opportunity to view the final score. Though it may be common to consider a “close game” one that is decided by two goals or fewer, this game was significantly closer than a bottom-screen ticker or a highlight reel may imply.

For starters, neither team put a goal on the board until the third period. The match was clearly a battle of defenses until Rangers’ Defenseman, Dan Girardi, took the offensive lead with a one-timer past Martin Brodeur 53 seconds in. The Rangers didn’t exactly pour on the offense with the traditional 5-on-5 in the proceeding minutes, either. Their second and third goals took more than half a period to arrive, and aside a power play goal from Chris Kreider at12:00, Anton Anisimov’s empty-netter was the extent of the Rangers’ scoring. Nevertheless, the first and second periods displayed a plethora of hits, blocked shots, and saves evident on both sides of the ice.

It may be difficult to convince anyone supporting Game 1’s home team, but the first two periods saw mostly the Devils controlling the puck and the overall tempo of the game.

The only player the Devils could not stop throughout Game 1’s entirety happened to be the one making the stops against them. Henrik Lundqvist was quite immaculate stopping all 21 of the Devils shots throughout the game. In what might someday be looked at as “Henrique vs. Henrik,” it was Lundqvist denying Devils’ rookie Adam Henrique’s first period wrist shot with a pretty glove save. Though the Rangers’ goalie is largely credited for his role advancing the Rangers to this series, he is human enough to have given up three goals at least once during these 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Washington Capitals proved it possible by defeating Lundqvist on three goals in Game 4 of the preceding series.

The Devils know first-hand that Lundqvist is very human. Lest we forget, the Devils found the back of the net four times against Lundqvist on March 6^th. In a scoring pattern similar to the Rangers on Monday night, three of those Devils’ goals March 6th also came in the third period.

Questions remain about where the Devils need to improve going in to Game 3. As stated, the team seemed like they had not missed a skate in the first few periods of Game 1. Speculation is that the Devils appeared worn down by the third period, and the fatigue might have led to their three goal demise. If this may have been the case, the Devils must assess various methods of distributing their energy levels to appropriate portions of Game 2. An even allocation of energy for each period might suffice, but conserving more octanes for a full-throttle, third period attack might be more suitable. Regardless, they must keep a high enough charge for the third period in case it is a lead they will be protecting.

Maybe energy management is not the right topic to discuss. Perhaps the real solution to drawing this series even could be to just go out and play solid, Devils hockey. It could be so, and keeping the Rangers from going up two games might require more instinct than thinking. It must require something to win four straight games following an opening game, Semi-Finals loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. The Devils will need to harness the  composure utilized in Game 2 versus Philadelphia to help tie this series and head back to Newark.

Where there is a will, there is a way to break through Henrik Lundqvist. The Devils will not be far from home as they prep for Game 2 against the Rangers. The warmth and cheers of home will be right behind them with echoes of “LET’S GO DEVILS!” from across the Lincoln Tunnel. If those echoes repeat loud enough in the minds of the Devils’ players, they will overcome a Madison Square Garden crowd and come home to a split series. The match up continues from New York tomorrow at 8 PM, ET.

You can follow Sean McDermott on Twitter @HEYYuSUCK

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The Devils lock-in for a dual with the Rangers in the Eastern Conference Finals (Debby Wong-US PRESSWIRE)

The tables are set for the Devils Monday night as they roam into Madison Square Garden to face the New York Rangers. The Rangers are coming off of a close series and an even closer Game 7 with the Washington Capitals; clearing their advance into the Conference Finals with a 2-1 victory Saturday night.

Where does the momentum reside as the clock warms up to the drop of the puck tomorrow night? The Rangers did not just exhaust the extent of their last series against Washington. They also carried a prior series with Ottawa to a decisive seventh game (also ending 2-1.) If excessive Game 7’s were bad for your health, another one with the Devils could make the team blue in the face.

It is doubtful the Rangers will confess to any fatigue felt in either of their prior series, and it is very possible that they might not be feeling any. More commonly than not, there is emphasis put on teams who encounter more days off between series. If there is any question about how much gas is left in the Rangers’ tank, dually one must ask if the Devils will need a jump start rekindling the dominating puck play displayed against Philadelphia.

If the Devils are ready for their match-up against the Rangers, they must come out charged, aggressive, and must get physical early. They must alert this Rangers team that they have been ready for them all week. Applying an early layer of Ranger blue to the boards is a strong way to return to real-time intensity as well as send the message that the last six days were not spent kicked back with feet up.

While it is important to remain aggressive, they must also maintain composure in particular situations. A key component to their success is going to be discipline passing the puck. This Rangers team has shown it has the capability of winning low-scoring games by giving up an average of less than two goals per-game. Though the Devils have scored an average of three goals per game, it is imperative not to give the Rangers a single chance too many. A single mishap or turnover could be game changing, and the Devils must be bold while in control of their puck possession.

Controlling the tempo of the game also may mean controlling the temper. Victories by the Devils will be manifested on how well they can stay out of the penalty box. Keeping the Rangers from having a man advantage withholds the Rangers’ offensive opportunities, and it has been a patterned advantage for the Devils throughout the playoffs. The Devils have a league-best 24 goals scored when all five men are on the ice.

Martin Brodeur must ready himself for utmost instinct and agility expanding either which way to deny a Rangers shot on goal. He also must be vocal in his leadership distributing fiery, confident, and motivating words to teammates less experienced with a series of this austerity.

The correlation of Martin Brodeur’s legendary presence and a Conference Final series might throw in other winning variables. If youngsters like Adam Henrique are impacted by the specialty that is this series, it could break out into an offensive display that cements his recognition for future seasons and playoff series. His courage to shine in a playoff series of this magnitude would be epic for the series, the Devils franchise, and hockey in general.

As of right now, most scenarios are only thinkable. Monday night’s Game 1 is the first of two initial games played at Madison Square Garden, and the Devils would not mind snagging both before returning to Newark for Game 3 on Saturday. Face-off between the Rangers and Devils begins at 8:00 PM ET.

Follow Sean McDermott on Twitter @HEYYuSUCK

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