Rangers vs. Devils: Game 4 Highlights, Twitter Reaction and Analysis

Staring the possibility of a 3-1 deficit in the face, the New Jersey Devils were able to tie their best-of-seven series against the New York Rangers at two games apiece by pulling out a 4-1 victory at the Prudential Center Monday night, making their task of reaching the 2012 Stanley Cup Final much more manageable. 

Bryce Salvador scored 8:10 into the first period on a slap shot that appeared to deflect off of Rangers defenseman Anton Stralman’s skate in front of Rangers netminder Henrik Lundqvist to snatch the early momentum.

The Devils added to the lead 11:59 into the opening period on a two-on-one when Zach Parise fed Travis Zajak for a high stick-side shot that just beat Lundqvist.

The Rangers couldn’t do anything aside from a couple of decent forechecks, and it was obvious from the beginning that the Devils were simply the faster and stronger team on the night.

In the final period, Parise buried a shot off a rebound on a third period Devils power play 2:41 in. Mike Rupp got a bit frustrated 6:18 into the period and gave former teammate Martin Brodeur a quick left to the mask, and the Rangers center was promptly sent off after setting off a near free-for-all on ice. It wouldn't be a surprise to see him face some disciplinary action from Brendan Shanahan and the league before Game 5.

The Rangers got on the board 14:55 into the third when Ruslan Fedotenko slipped one past Brodeur, but it was just a consolation score, as an empty-netter with 1:29 left from Parise left no question as to Game 4's outcome.

Tweets of the Night

K.G. Sports LIVE! hit the nail right on the head with his analysis of the Rangers' play tonight:

"

#Brodeur is dominating #Lundqvist in every facet of the game tonight. #NHLPlayoffs #NYRNJD Doesn't help #Rangers are sluggish.

— K.G. Sports LIVE! (@KGSports_Live) May 21, 2012"

This Devils fan voiced his opinion as his team started the third period with a 2-0 lead:

"

No one should be surprised that the Devils are winning this game. Backs against the wall NJ is dominating.#GOING7

— Albert Gattullo (@algattullo) May 21, 2012"

Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo had this to say about the discrepancy between the power plays of the two teams:

"

This Devils PP is sponsored by Jack Daniels. The Rangers PP is under the influence of Jack Daniels.

— Roberto Luongo (@NotBobbyLu) May 21, 2012"

Must-See Highlight

Watch Mike Rupp unload on Brodeur late in the third period.

Grades for Key Rangers Players

Michael Del Zotto: D

Del Zotto has been very strong for the Rangers throughout these playoffs but let his team down in Game 4. He made a couple of turnovers during Rangers power plays, one of which could have been a goal if not for the hustle of teammate Dan Girardi, who got back and slapped the puck away. 

Del Zotto also got burnt by Parise on the Devils’ second goal of the night, with a two-on-one ensuing.

When the Rangers finally set up a forecheck in the second period, Del Zotto had the puck skip over his stick, which led to another chance for New Jersey.

Henrik Lundqvist: C

The first goal of the game had to go through seven guys (eight if you include Lundqvist) to get to the back of the net. There was nothing he could have done about that.

The second goal came on a two-on-one that saw Parise make a beauty of a pass to Travis Zajac, who promptly hammered it home for the 2-0 advantage.

Goal No. 3 was all on Lundqvist, as he let up a rebound off a deep slap shot on the Devils power play 2:41 into the third.

Grades for Key Devils Players

Zach Parise: A

Parise registered an assist on the Devils' first goal of the game, lifting the puck just enough to get it over the outstretched stick of a sprawling Dan Girardi.

He then added a power-play score early in the third, and then an empty-net goal at the end to put the icing on the cake for the Devils, leaving no doubt that they would be heading back to New York with the series tied at two.

Martin Brodeur: B+

Brodeur robbed Marian Gaborik midway though the second period on a strong wrister, keeping the Devils up 2-0 with a glove save.

He let a Ruslan Fedotenko shot squeak by late in the third period, but that was inconsequential, as the New Jersey defense tightened up for the rest of the game.

Deciding Factor: The First Period, Line Changes 

The Devils dominated the opening stanza, as they have for most of the series. That proved to be the deciding factor in the contest, as they took a 2-0 lead a little more than halfway through the first.

The Rangers haven’t scored more than three goals since Game 1 of the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs, so it was huge for the Devils to jump out to an early two-goal lead.

Devils coach Peter DeBoer switched the lines up a bit, swapping Dainius Zubrus in for Kovalchuk, and scratching Petr Sykora for Jacob Josefson. Josefson made some good plays in the first, and it was obvious that his fresh legs did the Devils well.

Prior to the game, there had been many grumblings as to whether DeBoer needed to mix up the rotations to get something going. He chose to do so for Game 4 and it got his team a win.

Game MVP: Martin Brodeur

The game MVP has to go to Brodeur in this one, as the battle-hardened veteran turned away 28 Rangers shots to keep the Devils in this series. He outplayed his counterpart when the Devils needed him most, and he also added an assist on the empty-net goal by Parise.

What's Next? 

The series heads to Madison Square Garden for Game 5 on Wednesday night at 8:00 p.m. ET. The Rangers will be looking to use the home-ice advantage to take a 3-2 lead, while the Devils will be trying to take all the wind out of the Rangers’ sails and steal a game on the road.