New York Rangers Pre-season: Rangers Edge Devils 4-3

The New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils faced off in their second straight match-up of the pre-season. However, the Rangers were able to slip past the Devils this time around, winning 4-3 in regulation.

The game started off with the Devils getting on the board first by Adam Henrique. Henrique made a great move and flipped a backhand over the shoulder of Biron. Tonight marked the first game for Brad Richards in a Rangers uniform, and let me tell you, he made it count.

Richards made an insane move on one of the Devils defenseman, and wound up banking it off Adam Larsson, to tie the game at 1-1. Funny enough, both Wolski and Gaborik received assists on the play. A short time later, the Rangers gained the lead on an absolute snipe by Derek Stepan. Stepan caused a turnover, received a pass and let it rip over the shoulder of Brodeur.

Marty Biron had a great two periods in net for the Rangers, along with a couple key saves to keep the Rangers in the game.

Marian Gaborik was able to get on the board with a power play, assisted by Ryan Callahan, and gave the Rangers an 3-1 lead in the second period. Although, the Devils battled back after a series of Ranger penalties, and tied the game at 3-3.

Follow after the jump for more and the official New York Rangers Notes

Just wanted to point out that the Rangers powerplay, consisted of 5 forwards tonight. The powerplay was led by Wolski and Richards on the point, with Brian Boyle, Marian Gaborik and Ryan Callahan up front. The powerplay looked great tonight for the most party, barring some chemistry issues, which isn't a big deal. The puck movement was great, and the Rangers set-up a bunch of chances all night long.

Mike Rupp dropped the gloves with Eric Boulton late in the 3rd period. Rupp clearly had a size advantage over Boulton, but both put up a great fight. Following the fight, a lot of pressure by both teams led to Brandon Bell somehow finding the back of the net, off a LONG range shot.

The Devils wound up scoring late in the 3rd, but the refs waived it off, as there was goaltender inference. It wound up sending the Rangers to the powerplay once again, but later coughed it up. The Rangers went down a man in the final minute, and held down the fort with a 4-3 win.

The players that stuck out to me, were Richards, Gaborik, Wolski, Stepan, Mats Zuccarello and Brandon Bell. Gaborik, Richards and Wolski for obvious reasons, as that line was good all around tonight. Stepan seemed to of started where he left off last season, with that extra step in his game. Zuccarello was all around the net tonight, and caused a lot of turnovers. He even had a bunch of scoring chances, but unfortunately could not convert on them.

Finally Brandon Bell played very well defensively and even contributed a goal and assist tonight. Not saying that every other player was bad, but these player stood out more than others.

Overall it was a great game, and it was good to see the Rangers finally get a win. The Rangers next game will be on Monday, in Philadelphia. Join us again with our open game thread, starting at 6:30. Until than, let's go Rangers!

NEW YORK RANGERS POST-GAME NOTES
New York Rangers 4, New Jersey Devils 3 (Preseason Game No.: 2, Away No. 1)

-The Rangers defeated the New Jersey Devils, 4-3, tonight at Prudential Center to improve to 1-0-1 in preseason action.
-New York out-shot New Jersey, 31-26, including an 11-5 advantage in the first period.
-The Rangers responded to an early goal at 1:32 of the opening frame with three consecutive tallies, including two goals in a span of 1:21 in the first period at 4:22 and 5:43, and another tally at 1:32 of the second.
-Brad Richards notched a goal and added a power play assist in 20:06 of ice time while making his first appearance as a Ranger.
-Marian Gaborik tallied a power play goal and added an assist in 17:43 of ice time while making his preseason debut.  He also tied for the team-high with four shots on goal.
-Defenseman Brendan Bell notched the game-winning goal with 3:04 remaining in regulation and added an assist while skating in his second consecutive preseason contest.
-Derek Stepan tallied an even strength goal at 5:43 of the first period, and registered three shots on goal in 10:59 while making his preseason debut.
-Ryan Callahan recorded the primary assist on Marian Gaborik's power play goal, tied for the team-high with four shots on goal and led all team forwards with 21:57 of ice time while making his first appearance as Rangers Captain.
-Wojtek Wolski registered an assist on Brad Richards' goal at 4:22 of the first period and tied for the team-high with four shots on goal in 17:05 of ice time while making his preseason debut.
-Ruslan Fedotenko tallied an assist and logged 14:59 of ice time while making his preseason debut.
-Martin Biron stopped 13 of 16 shots through the game's opening 40:00, and Chad Johnson turned aside all 10 shots faced in the third period to record the win.
-The Blueshirts have a scheduled off-day tomorrow, September 24.