On the grand stage of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals, in front of an energized Devils fan base at the Prudential Center in Newark last night, Rangers defenseman Michael Del Zotto had his worst game of these playoffs — if not of his young career.
It was agonizing to watch, as the 21-year-old, just two days removed from the death of his grandmother, made three glaring turnovers in the first 23 minutes of the game as the Devils won, 4-1, and tied the best-of-seven series with tomorrow night’s Game 5 set for the Garden.
“It was a struggle for him,” coach John Tortorella said. “He hasn’t had many like that this year.”
After Del Zotto’s mistakes — and his clear inability to focus — he hardly got off the bench for the final 36:14. He served a double-minor penalty on Mike Rupp 6:18 into the third period and skated for 11 seconds before heading to the bench.
Tortorella had seven natural defensemen dressed, with Stu Bickel starting the game at forward for the suspended Brandon Prust. When Del Zotto was put on the bench in the second period, Bickel went back to defense paired with Steve Eminger, and Tortorella mixed and matched his 11 remaining forwards.
“I have an extra ‘D’ dressed,” Tortorella said. “We figured we’d take a little pressure off him, let him, just let him watch it.”
Del Zotto received three more shifts as the third period wound down, starting with 4:34 remaining, taking his ice-time total to 11:39. That’s when he picked up a bittersweet assist on Ruslan Fedotenko’s goal to make it 3-1, when he streaked to net and came close to breaking a smile.
The team said Del Zotto’s grandmother passed away before Saturday’s 3-0 Game 3 win, but he had not found out until after that game. No further details were provided, and Del Zotto declined to speak to the media afterward.
When one teammate was asked about the subject, he said, “Michael’s a friend and that’s personal, and I’m sure everyone in the room would tell you the same.”
In the first period, Del Zotto turned the puck over to Zach Parise, leading to the Travis Zajac goal that made it 2-0. Later in the period, on the power play, Del Zotto tried a backhand pass that was intercepted and resulted in another Devils’ breakaway, this one thwarted by a diving Dan Girardi.
In the second period, it seemed like Tortorella had Del Zotto on a short leash. On his first shift, starting 2:06 in, Del Zotto turned the puck over to David Clarkson, who for some reason pulled up on an odd-man rush to squander the threat.
That all but finished Del Zotto’s night until the third period when the game was mostly decided.
“Michael has gone through a great process,” Tortorella said. “He’s a big part of our club. He’ll bounce back.”