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The New York Rangers Sean Avery did not lead his team to victory in Game three, but he had a history making performance nonetheless. Avery stood in front of New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur with his back to the action, shadowing the netminder’s movements Sunday, during New York’s 5-on-3 power play. The advantage resulted in a goal by Avery, but the Rangers lost 4-3 in overtime and had their series lead cut to 2-1. His actions caused the NHL brass to change a rule that eliminated his antics. Avery is well-known for being a player you love to hate if he is on the other team and sometimes makes his own teammates scratch their heads. He does plenty to anger and frustrate opponents in games, and teammates during practice. He can’t be ignored if he is on the ice. “He’s a really good player and he means a lot to this team,” starting goalie Henrik Lundqvist said. “It’s a smart thing to do because it’s really tough to see when you have someone move exactly the way you’re moving.” Avery has a series-leading three goals, scoring in each game. New York went 33-14-10 (33-24 ATS) with him in the lineup this season and 9-13-3 (9-16 ATS) when he was sidelined with injuries. “He really doesn’t shut up, ever,” Rangers backup goalie Steve Valiquette said. “He practices on me, I think, so he’s warmed up for Brodeur. It is really annoying. I can see how it affects Marty. Him scoring, that’s like pouring salt in the wound. In practice, I get a lot more mad and frustrated when he scores than anybody else.”
New York will need to reestablish itself in series that has yet to see a home team win on home ice. Sunday’s loss ended a string of six wins in a row in the first round of the playoffs by the Rangers. The Blueshirts top priority to prevent being tied by the Devils, as two of New Jersey’s four goals came when Rangers were in the penalty box. New York is 10-2 ATS revenging a loss vs opponent as a home favorite this season.
New Jersey players are exuberant to be back in series after falling twice at home. “Anything can change momentum,” Devils forward John Madden said. “You have to find ways to win games. In some games it might be the penalty killing that’s doing it for you, in other games it might be your power play is scoring or your goalie is playing well. That’s what it takes to win in this league, especially in a series.”
The Devils are once again underdogs, this time +125 at Sportsbook.com, with total at Ov4.5. New Jersey interestingly enough is 11-2 ATS in road games as a # 4 seed in the playoffs the last dozen years. Still, they are just 2-9 ATS in last 11 meeting with Rangers.
“It would be a lot nicer if we were up 3-0, but the reality is we’re still up only 2-1,” Rangers captain Jaromir Jagr said. “It’s going to be the key game of the series. We’ve got to bring everything, but they’re going to do the same thing to us.”
Game Four will be on the Versus Network starting at 7 Eastern, with New York 19-7 ATS when favored by -150 or less at Madison Square Garden.
StatFox Power Line – N.Y. Rangers-131, Total- 4.3
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