NHL

Henrique scores big experience

Adam Henrique may only be a rookie, but during this season, he has experienced more than most players do in their careers.

Henrique scored at 1:03 of the first overtime to send the Devils to the Stanley Cup finals, eliminating the Rangers in six games of the Eastern Conference finals with a 3-2 victory.

Remarkably, it was his second series-clinching overtime goal of these playoffs. Henrique also scored in double overtime in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals in Game 7 to send the Devils into the second round.

“Obviously those are two huge goals and are probably two of the [biggest] goals I have scored,” Henrique said. “Try to take in as much as I can.”

“Unflappable. This kid is just in the right place at the right time all the time. The two biggest goals of the playoffs have come off his stick, and it’s not accidental,” coach Pete DeBoer said of Henrique.

In 74 games this season, Henrique had 16 goals and 51 points, making him a finalist for the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie. But his path to the NHL wasn’t so direct.

Henrique was drafted by the Devils in 2008. He spent almost the entire 2011 season with the AHL’s Albany Devils (one game in the NHL). He had 25 goals in 73 games with Albany, but said he learned a lot.

“Playing in Albany was good for my development,” he said. “I think it was needed. … Obviously I wanted to be here, but I felt like I had a great year in Albany and my development came a long way, my game came a long way from there,” he said.Just prepared myself throughout the summer to be ready for whatever was going to come up in camp. Through a few injuries I got an opportunity, and I just tried to take advantage of that as best I could.”

And Henrique seized his opportunity. He quickly earned the trust of his coaches, playing at even strength, on the power play and penalty kill.

“He has got to be the rookie of the year,” said Ilya Kovalchuk, who assisted on the winning goal. “This guy went through a lot of tough situations. He played on all kinds of situations, played big minutes.Blocked shots, created a lot of good opportunities. He’s just in the right position.”

The 22-year old said he would like his fairy tale story to end with four more wins.

“Every kid dreams of playing in the Stanley Cup finals,” he said. “I am excited and ready to get started. We’re not done yetWe haven’t really won anything. It is a long ride.”