NEW YORK—Madison Square Garden was rocking on Tuesday night from the incredible goaltending performances by the New Jersey Devils’ Martin Brodeur and New York Rangers’ Henrik Lundqvist.
For only the third time this year, a game went into a shootout with the score tied 0–0. As if that wasn’t enough, an extended shootout was required when Brodeur and Lundqvist both held their ground against the first three shooters.
While Brodeur made a fantastic glove grab on the fourth shooter for the Rangers, center Brandon Dubinsky, Lundqvist fell just short when Devils left winger Patrik Elias went top shelf glove-side.
The 1–0 Devils shootout victory does not reflect just how hard the goalies fought.
The legendary Brodeur, likely to be Canada’s starting goalie in the Olympics, recorded his first regular season shutout at MSG and 107th in his career.
After the game, he said, “It was a fun game, a lot of shots. I was in a groove the whole time. I felt in control.” He ended the night with 51 saves.
Lundqvist, who will play on the Swedish Olympic team, recorded his own 22nd career shutout and 45 saves.
Offensively, the Rangers had too many missed opportunities against a Devils team giving up the fewest number of goals in the NHL.
Midway through the second period, Rangers center Brian Boyle found himself all alone on a breakaway while the Devils were in the midst of a line change. Boyle tried to slide the puck between Brodeur’s legs, but Brodeur wouldn’t have any of it.
Later on in the period, Rangers center Artem Anisimov tried the wrap-around and almost snuck the puck into the goal. He prematurely raised his arms in celebration, but the point blank shot ended up being another save for Brodeur.
The Rangers best chance came less than a minute into overtime. Leading scorer Marian Gaborik shot at Brodeur from close range, picked up his rebound and had it slip through Brodeur’s legs bouncing off of the goalpost.
The Devils missed their own chance to end the game in regulation. They failed to convert on a five-on-three power play in the second period.
Assistant captain and U.S. Olympian Zach Parise said, “We’ve been struggling on our five-on-three all season. I guess we gotta regroup here and forget about it, move on.”
“It is tough when you can’t score on a five-on-three. It should be a goal every time.”
Although the Blueshirts did not come up with win in the end, Dubinsky said, “I think we’re playing the right way. We’re winning battles, we’re working hard on pucks. Obviously, our goaltending has been great, and we’re getting contributions from everyone.”
Center Vinny Prospal, back in the lineup for the first time after missing seven games with a knee injury, added, “I think we’re playing as good as we did in the beginning of the year.”
For only the third time this year, a game went into a shootout with the score tied 0–0. As if that wasn’t enough, an extended shootout was required when Brodeur and Lundqvist both held their ground against the first three shooters.
While Brodeur made a fantastic glove grab on the fourth shooter for the Rangers, center Brandon Dubinsky, Lundqvist fell just short when Devils left winger Patrik Elias went top shelf glove-side.
The 1–0 Devils shootout victory does not reflect just how hard the goalies fought.
The legendary Brodeur, likely to be Canada’s starting goalie in the Olympics, recorded his first regular season shutout at MSG and 107th in his career.
After the game, he said, “It was a fun game, a lot of shots. I was in a groove the whole time. I felt in control.” He ended the night with 51 saves.
Lundqvist, who will play on the Swedish Olympic team, recorded his own 22nd career shutout and 45 saves.
Offensively, the Rangers had too many missed opportunities against a Devils team giving up the fewest number of goals in the NHL.
Midway through the second period, Rangers center Brian Boyle found himself all alone on a breakaway while the Devils were in the midst of a line change. Boyle tried to slide the puck between Brodeur’s legs, but Brodeur wouldn’t have any of it.
Later on in the period, Rangers center Artem Anisimov tried the wrap-around and almost snuck the puck into the goal. He prematurely raised his arms in celebration, but the point blank shot ended up being another save for Brodeur.
The Rangers best chance came less than a minute into overtime. Leading scorer Marian Gaborik shot at Brodeur from close range, picked up his rebound and had it slip through Brodeur’s legs bouncing off of the goalpost.
The Devils missed their own chance to end the game in regulation. They failed to convert on a five-on-three power play in the second period.
Assistant captain and U.S. Olympian Zach Parise said, “We’ve been struggling on our five-on-three all season. I guess we gotta regroup here and forget about it, move on.”
“It is tough when you can’t score on a five-on-three. It should be a goal every time.”
Although the Blueshirts did not come up with win in the end, Dubinsky said, “I think we’re playing the right way. We’re winning battles, we’re working hard on pucks. Obviously, our goaltending has been great, and we’re getting contributions from everyone.”
Center Vinny Prospal, back in the lineup for the first time after missing seven games with a knee injury, added, “I think we’re playing as good as we did in the beginning of the year.”
