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Devils’ Offense Explodes In 6-3 Win Over Rangers
Newark, NJ (Sports Network) - Devils captain Jamie Langenbrunner was one of six different goal-scorers, as New Jersey doubled up the New York Rangers, 6-3, at Prudential Center.
Langenbrunner, Brian Rolston, Travis Zajac and Rob Niedermayer each had a goal and an assist for New Jersey, while Zach Parise and Bryce Salvador also lit the lamp.
Dainius Zubrus, Andy Greene and Mike Mottau each collected two helpers for the Devils, who returned from a 1-3-0 road trip to play their first home game since a 5-2 triumph over Nashville on February 12.
Martin Brodeur made 16 saves on 19 shots to earn the win, which pulls New Jersey to within three points of first-place Pittsburgh in the Atlantic Division.
Vinny Prospal, Erik Christensen and Brandon Prust scored for the Rangers, who are winless in four straight (0-2-2) and remain three points back of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
New York starting goaltender Henrik Lundqvist was relieved by Alex Auld late in the second period after allowing five goals on just 17 shots. Auld recorded nine saves the rest of the way.
Langenbrunner drifted through the low slot and redirected Mottau’s shot past Lundqvist for a 4-3 New Jersey edge with 6:54 to play in the second period.
Rolston gave New Jersey its first two-goal cushion when his shot was deflected by Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi between the pads of Lundqvist with 4:41 remaining in the middle stanza.
Zajac beat Auld with a wicked slap shot to seal the win with 3:39 left in regulation.
Niedermayer jumped on a rebound in the high slot for a 1-0 Devils lead at 4:16 of the first period.
Propsal netted the equalizer 57 seconds later. Olli Jokinen slipped the puck to Marian Gaborik cutting through the middle, and he quickly dished to Prospal at the far post for an easy tap-in.
New Jersey regained the lead when Salvador’s one-timer from the right point deflected in off a Rangers player’s stick with 1:43 to play in the opening frame.
Christensen evened things up at the five-minute mark of the second period. The Devils then led for the third time in the game when Parise buried a loose puck to Lundqvist’s left for a power-play tally at 8:38.
Once again, New York had a rebuttal, tying the game just 37 seconds on a goal by Prust.
Langenbrunner reached the 600-point plateau with the secondary assist on Salvador’s goal...Zajac has 21 goals this season, a new personal best...Prust appeared in his 100th NHL game...New Jersey has won three of the five meetings with the Rangers this season...The Devils improved to 21-9-1 as the host, while New York fell to 15-14-3 on the road.
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