Devils Beat Rangers 3-2, Tie Series

The penalty box door wasn't the only thing that frustrated the Rangers on Wednesday night.

Shots went off the goalpost. Shots went through the crease. And on a last, desperate attempt with no time left, shots were blocked from making it to the front of the net. Brodeur flipped the puck in the air, the buzzer sounded, and the New Jersey Devils tied the series.


It was a game that had much of the same feel as Game 1 in Madison Square Garden. Chances on both ends, displays of both offensive and defensive talent, and long shifts of non-stop action.

Ilya Kovalchuk opened the scoring in the first period for New Jersey, beating Henrik Lundqvist for the first time in the series. The Devils would get another chance late in the period, but it would be tipped just wide of the Swedish goaltender.

The Rangers broke through Martin Brodeur in the second period. Brodeur had robbed New York just moments before, until a shot from the point ricocheted off the boards and hit the goaltender in the back of the pad. The puck crossed the goal line, and the Rangers were on the board.

New York continued coming at New Jersey with chances. Chris Kreider, who had a goal in Game 1, fired a shot past Brodeur and off the goal post. But Kreider would get another moment of glory, as he tipped in a shot from the point, giving the Rangers a 2-1 lead. It was a welcome pay-off to the extended wait while the Devil's penalty door was stuck--Kredier made sure the wait was well worth it.

Insert a game-changer.

With only a couple minutes left in the third period, the Devils struck. A great play to keep the puck in the zone by Salvador was followed by Carter tipping a shot at the hashmarks to beat Lundqvist, propelling the Devils into the third period tied 2-2.

Riding high after this game-changer, the Devils scored again in the first three minutes of the final period. Clarkson, with nearly a high stick, tipped a shot into the back of the net on a New Jersey powerplay. The Devils led the game 3-2, and would hold that lead for the remainder of the game.

But the Devils were a bit lucky. Zach Parise rode into Lundqvist with no penalty call made. Less than two minutes later, New Jersey nearly scored again as one of the Devils' forwards interfered with the Ranger defenseman with no call made.

A solid game from both teams leads fans into Game 3 with great anticipation. It has seen great goaltending, great defensive plays, and great offensive action. It's going to be an incredible series.

All because "it's the Cup."