FINAL SCORE: New York Rangers – 4 New Jersey Devils – 3
FIRST PERIOD: The game began at the Prudential Center with good saves by Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist. The first penalty went to Kevin Hayes for holding at 4:26, allowing the Devils to put heavy pressure in the Rangers defensive zone. Hank made a few very close saves, successfully killing off the penalty. The Rangers had their first power play goal of the season from Chris Kreider at 7:34 in the game, assisted by Rick Nash and Ryan McDonagh (his first point as Captain). The puck was played well at both ends of the rink until a penalty was called on Kreider for hooking. Jaromir Jagr made use of the Devils power play at 13:40 as he tied the game at 1-1 on a deflection off the end boards; assists were credited to Damien Brunner and Travis Zajac. Mats Zuccarello and Martin St. Louis had a good chance late in the period, but Devils goalie Cory Schneider was able to block the puck. The Devils outshot the Blueshirts 11 to 6, yet left the score at 1-1.
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SECOND PERIOD: Good pressure was made by both teams yet half the period flew by sans penalties or goals. The second Rangers power play occurred at 11:38 when Kevin Klein drew a holding call on Michael Ryder. However, Devils’ Adam Henrique managed a breakaway stopped by Hank. Late on the Rangers PP, Ryan Malone was called for interference, albeit based on Stephen Gionta accidentally falling. The Devils then had their second PP goal at 14:55, made by Henrique assisted by Jagr and Damon Severson. Kreider was called for interference at 19:12, giving the Devils a power play going into the third. The period ended with Devils up 2-1, despite Rangers picking up their SOG to 9-9.
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THIRD PERIOD: The Rangers PK continued to be problematic as Devils’ Jon Merrill scored on assists from Brunner and Henrique. Nash made close plays to the net but drew a penalty from colliding into Schneider. Surprisingly, the Rangers executed the following PK without much problem. Mike Cammalleri hit the puck over the glass and was called for delay of game. The Rangers lost the face-off but immediately fought back to score a PP goal at 9:06, accredited to Chris Mueller assisted by McDonagh and Brassard, bringing the score to 2-3. Of course Nash couldn’t let the game end without scoring a goal so he did so at 14:32 with a backhand and tied the game 3-3. An aggressive battle for the puck ensued as Lee Stempniak shot off the crossbar and Lundqvist made several magical saves, forcing the game to go into overtime. SOG favored the Devils 10-9 in the third.
OVERTIME: Rangers fans prayed to the hockey gods to get Jagr and Cammalleri off the ice. The hockey gods certainly answered as Lundqvist held his own and defenseman Kevin Klein shot the incredible game winning goal at 2:42, assisted by Kreider and Mueller, just inside the post past Schneider.
Despite being down in face-off wins 27-33, Rangers won the game 4-3.
STARS OF THE GAME: Chris Kreider and Kevin Klein