NHL Playoffs 2012: Devils Will Advance After Getting in Rangers' Heads

The New York Rangers fell for it.

They officially lost their cool to the New Jersey Devils (pun intended) on Monday night. Now that the Devils are in the Rangers’ heads, they’ll ride the momentum into the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals.

Former Devil Mike Rupp lost his mind and sucker punched Martin Brodeur in the third period of Game 4. The immature move was the last thing that the Rangers needed as they attempt to regain momentum after New Jersey tied the series at two games apiece. The punch ignited a brawl between the players, and even the team’s coaches nearly began to swing at each other.

Katie Strang of ESPN reported that while they aren’t thrilled about their goalie getting punched, New Jersey drove home with grins on their faces. Devils’ defensemen Bryce Salvador said after the game, "That's what we're trying to hopefully see out of them...is a lack of composure." He continued, saying:

"

Hopefully they're going to start taking penalties and start taking some cheap shots, and hopefully they stop thinking about playing hockey and more about trying to run somebody through the boards or try to hit Marty, stuff like that. I think at this time of the year, there's going to be a lot of emotions. Everyone wants to win but what you're going to see now these last three games here is just what team is going to be the most composed and who is going to stay out of the penalty box.

"

Both clubs are fired up after Monday night’s drama. The difference is that the Devils are confident, while the Rangers are distraught. Don’t be surprised if New York fails to win a game the rest of the series. New Jersey has the Rangers exactly where they want them—swinging and whiffing.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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