Henrik Lundqvist and Brandon Dubinsky Lead the New York Rangers in Win over NJ

On Friday night the New York Rangers took on their cross-river rival, the New Jersey Devils. The Rangers, who lost Thursday night to the Philadelphia Flyers, were forced to play without Ryan Callahan, who sat out with a sore neck. But the Rangers found a way to win without Callahan, defeating the Devils 3-0.

The Rangers opened the scoring about eight minutes into the first period when Brandon Dubinsky continued his hot start to the season with a goal. The goal began with excellent puck control behind the Devils net by Rangers forward Alexander Frolov. Frolov passed the puck to Artem Anisimov who then centered the puck to Brandon Dubinsky, who put it away. The goal, Dubinsky's ninth, gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead which they would bring with them into the second period.

The Rangers second goal did not come until late in second period while they were on the power play. Seconds into the man-advantage, Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi threw a hard shot on net. The shot was redirected by Rangers forward Brian Boyle and found the back of the net for a 2-0 Rangers lead. The goal was Boyle's fifth of the season, which is a career season-high for him.

The Rangers would bring a two-goal lead into the third period, which they increased to a three-goal lead only four minutes into the period. While short-handed, the Rangers veteran forward Todd White began a two-on-one. White, who was placed on waivers early Friday morning, took a hard shot on net which was saved by Devils goalie Johan Hedberg.

The rebound found Brandon Dubinsky, who would score his second goal of the game. The goal by Dubinsky was his second of the game, 10th of the season, his league-leading goal (he is tied for first with Patrick Sharp and Steven Stamkos) and it gave the Rangers a comfortable 3-0 lead.

Henrik Lundqvist played extremely well in goal for the Rangers and was credited with his second shutout of the season in the Rangers 3-0 victory. Lundqvist made 33 saves in the game.

The Rangers offense was led by Brandon Dubinsky, once again, as his two goals propelled the Rangers passed the struggling New Jersey Devils. The Rangers totaled a season-low 20 shots on goal in the game, six of them coming from Dubinsky. Todd White had four shots on goal and Sean Avery and Derek Boogaard were credited with two shots on goal.

The Rangers defense played extremely well, and looked much better than they did Thursday night. They did not make as many blocked shots—the leader was Dan Girardi with two—but they covered their men in the defensive zone and cleared the loose pucks.

Dan Girardi was all over Ilya Kovalchuck during the game, as the Rangers kept him from getting any quality scoring chances. Michael Sauer was one of the better defensemen for the Rangers in last night’s game and he should continue to get ice-time and remain in the lineup if he can continue to play hard.

The Rangers' next game will be an extremely tough one as they take on the St. Louis Blues. The Blues play the Boston Bruins Saturday and put their five-game win streak on the line. Depending on who starts in net for the Blues when they play the Bruins on Saturday, the Rangers may get lucky and not have to face Jaroslav Halak who has been one of the better goalies this season.

Hopefully Ryan Callahan will return for the Rangers and add that extra "oomph" in the Rangers lineup. Callahan is one of the better forecheckers on the team, and that is something they missed in today’s game (for the most part).  

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