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Game Recaps

Sean Avery and Brendan Shanahan each had a goal and an assist, and Scott Gomez added two helpers as the Rangers beat the Devils in New Jersey, 4-1, in Game One of their opening round series.

The game was a relatively penalty-free affair, with the Rangers committing four minors, the Devils, three.

A stunning shorthanded goal by Ranger Ryan Callahan at 7:23 of the third period broke the 1-1 game open. Devils goalie Marty Brodeur stumbled as Callahan stuffed the puck on a wraparound.

Avery made it 3-1 at 17:07 of the third to seal the deal for the Rangers, while Henrik Lundqvist stopped 26 of 27 shots.

New York leads 1-0

Jaromir Jagr and Sean Avery scored 23 seconds apart in the third period to give the Rangers a 2-1 victory over the Devils Friday at Prudential Center.

In a tightly-played affair, the two clubs remained scoreless for the first 44:26.

John Madden scored the Devils only goal, at 18:37 of the third.

"They are definitely taking control of the series," goalie Martin Brodeur said.

Both Brodeur and Henrik Lundqvist stopped 28 shots.

The Devils were 1-7 on the power play, the Rangers, 0-3.

New York leads 2-0
 

John Madden caromed a shot off the skate of Ranger rookie defenseman Marc Staal at 6:01 of overtime as the Devils stopped the Rangers at Madison Square Garden Sunday, 4-3. The Rangers now lead, 2-1 in the series.

It was real lucky, but we need to get those breaks to get back into the series," said Madden.

Rangers rookie Brandon Dubinsky scored his first two career playoff goals, getting New York even at 1-1 and 3-3. Sean Avery gave the Rangers a 2-1 lead early in the second, but it lasted only six minutes. It was the only lead of the day for the Rangers.

Patrick Elias, Zach Parise and Sergei Brylin also scored for the Devils.

Martin Brodeur stopped 30 of 33 shots for the Devils, while Henrik Lundqvist made 29 saves on 33 shots.
 

New York leads 2-1

Rookie defenseman Marc Staal scored the game winner on a slap shot with 3:13 left to give the Rangers a commanding 3-1 series lead. New York can finish off the Devils Friday night in New Jersey.

Scott Gomez opened the scoring at 12:47 of the first and the Rangers never trailed, although the Devils did rally tie the game on three occasions.

Patrik Elias scored twice in the second, evening the score at one apiece, then later in the period at two apiece after Martin Straka scored for New York.

Chris Drury scored at 12:49 of the second to give the Rangers a 3-2 lead, and Mike Mottau of the Devils scored at 4:37 of the third to even the score once more.

The Rangers outshot the Devils, 39-31.

New York leads 3-1

After Brian Gionta scored at 4:40 of the first, the New York Rangers built a commanding 4-1 lead by the 5:35 mark of the second period on goals by Michal Rozsival, Jaromir Jagr, Scott Gomez and Chris Drury to eliminate the New Jersey Devils Friday night at Prudential Center.

Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur refused to shake rival Ranger forward Sean Avery's hand. Avery's antics in trying to distract the legendary Devil netminder drew league attention.

"Everyone talks about how much class I don't have, well it's the end of the series and men go to war against each other," Avery said. "I guess he forgot to shake my hand. I don't know if anyone saw that. Of course I was going to shake his hand."

In the third, Bryce Salvador scored to cut the margin to 4-2 on a freak shot from the neutral zone, and Patrik Elias made it 4-3 at 13:50.

Ranger Brandon Dubinsky scored an empty net goal to finish the scoring.

New York wins 4-1