David Clarkson’s deflected goal 2:31 into the third period snapped a tie and lifted the Devils to a 3-2 victory over the Rangers that evened the Eastern Conference finals at one game apiece on Wednesday night.
Clarkson built off the momentum created by Ryan Carter’s goal late in the second period that tied the game, 2-2. Ilya Kovalchuk had given the Devils a 1-0 lead with a power-play goal in the first. Defenseman Bryce Salvador added two assists, and Martin Brodeur stopped 23 saves for the win.
Marc Staal and Chris Kreider scored in the second for the Rangers, who lost their third straight Game 2 after winning the series opener. Top-seeded New York, which had 24 saves by Henrik Lundqvist, hasn’t had a two-game lead at any point in these playoffs.
Game 3 will be Saturday in New Jersey.