Let’s hope tonight’s game 1 victory by the Rangers dispelled the notion that the Devils win on Sunday made up for the Devils losing the prior seven games of the regular season. Because the Devils won Sunday night,  speculation was that the Rangers, who had been in Marty Brodeur’s head all season were suddenly cast out of it. The Rangers proved that theory wrong tonight.  I would venture a guess and say that Callahan’s goal and especially Avery’s, will be in Brodeur’s nightmares tonight and for many nights to come.

I was feeling very uncertain about tonight’s game after the loss to the Islanders on Friday and the loss to the Devils on Sunday. After having played a dominating game on Long Island on Thursday and clinching the playoff spot, the Rangers lost in a dreadful shootout to the same AHL Islander team they had vanquished Thursday.  Lundqvist looked pedestrian in regulation and was a horror show in that shoot out. Fourth place and home ice advantage were on the line.

To add insult to injury, they failed to go for the jugular against the Devils to get a season sweep and home ice advantage on Sunday. Even though they lost home ice advantage by not winning in regulation. they at least could have gone for a victory in overtime or the shoot out but again came up short. I must confess this did not instill in me a boat load of confidence for game one.

In the first period the Rangers made some horrible defensive plays and turnovers. They were lucky to get out of the period with the score tied at zero. They seemed to settle down a bit in the second period. Thanks go to the great play by Gomez for his hand in all three of the Rangers goals. Finally the Rangers acquired someone who, when playing a former team, comes back and bites that former team in the butt.  

Little things do mean a lot and the Rangers won 55 % of their face offs. Drury alone was 78% on the night. Kudos to the penalty killers and Tom Renney for adjusting their play to counter the “new” and previously unseen top heavy powerplay configuration employed by Sutter. Another key to success was that Renney was able to do a good job rolling all four lines. All of the players were engaged in the game, forechecking, back checking and finishing checks.

It was nice to see our young players out there with all their speed, heart and enthusiasm being lead by a veteran corps of players setting a good example. What better example of selflessness is there then Marty Straka sacrificing his body to stop the puck on the penalty kill after he lost his stick? What better example of unselfishness is there then Brendan Shanahan passing a sure empty net goal off to Nigel Dawes so the kid could get the first playoff goal of his career?

The Rangers are in Marty Brodeur’s head. Make no mistake about it.

Let’s Go Rangers!

PS I heard Dancing Larry got up at the Rock when his music was played and started dancing. Way to go Brother! I owe you a big kiss on the head and a brew at Molly’s.