The building said Prudential Center. Bobby Holik said otherwise.
“Six Flags Adventure Park. And a little more adventure than any of us wanted to see,” Holik said after the Devils beat the Rangers 8-5 in Newark last night.
It was chaos, a roller-coaster ride, a test of who would break last. The Devils’ ninth victory in 10 games would have been the sweetest, except for the four-goal lead they squandered.
“This took a few days off my life,” said Devils goalie Scott Clemmensen, who may get a rest in favor of Kevin Weekes when Buffalo visits Newark tonight. “Tiring is what that was, mentally and physically. But when you win, it takes the sting out.”
The Devils beat the Rangers in regulation for the first time (ninth try), playoff and regulation, in Newark, and won just for the third time in 16 such under coach Brent Sutter. They also took over the unofficial division lead on the basis of points percentage, .654 to .625 for the Rangers, who also now trail Philadelphia’s .642. Though the Rangers’ 40 points are still tops in the official Atlantic standings, having played six more than New Jersey.
The Rangers were left wondering where their game went, losing for the fourth time in six, and squandering all nine power plays, leaving them 0-for-29 over seven, allowing two shorthanders to boot. And, oh yes, Wade Redden was minus-4.
“No question our battle level has to improve if we’re going to start winning consistently again,” coach Tom Renney said. “I’m not sure we battled nearly hard enough.”
It was the first time the Rangers allowed eight to the Devils since March 25, 1987, when John Vanbiesbrouck was replaced by Bob Froese in an 8-2 Devils romp at the Garden.
More pertinently, it was just the second time Henrik Lundqvist allowed eight goals as a Ranger, the other being a 9-2 loss in Toronto Dec. 16, 2006, when he left the game after eight were in.
“It’s pretty tough to sit here right now. Eight goals. Not fun,” Lundqvist said. “I have to play my game. I have to be better. It has not been easy [lately].”
Nothing was easy for anyone last night. The Devils snapped a 1-1 tie with four consecutive goals, then gave up four in a row. The pivotal moment came when, just 11 seconds after Ryan Callahan tied the game 5-5, Patrik Elias put the Devils in front to stay.
“I don’t like it. I’m pretty sure some people’s blood pressure went pretty high today,” Elias said of the goalfest.
“This could have stung if we’d let it slip away,” Jamie Langenbrunner said.
Sutter was more than willing to accept this victory, though.
“I know it’s 8-5, up 5-1, then they tie it up 5-5, but we were playing pretty well, still,” Sutter said. “This team has shown me a lot the last six weeks. Tonight was another [example] of resiliency.”
There were moments, though, like blowing a four-goal lead, the Rangers in full comeback mode, just to see Elias wreck their momentum, and Brian Gionta and Langenbrunner seal the Rangers doom.
“I lost my hair tonight. I was going bald before, and I’m really bald now,” Sutter said.
*
This was the first time New Jersey scored eight since Nov. 25, 2005, an 8-2 triumph in Tampa. They last scored eight at home Feb. 25, 2004, an 8-2 win over Buffalo at the Meadowlands. . . . Last night marked the first time since 1994 that neither Martin Brodeur, who was in-house, nor Kevin Weekes started a Devils-Rangers game. . . . The Devils play host to the Sabres and Carolina visits the Garden tonight. . . . The Devils yesterday placed forward Petr Vrana on waivers. He had been on a conditioning assignment in Lowell, and would become a regular assignment there if he clears.
Devils 8 Rangers 5