Devils Vs. Rangers: Despite Game 1 Victory, Rangers Must Make Adjustments

In the wake of their 3-0 victory over the New Jersey Devils, it would be easy to say that the New York Rangers can keep following the same game plan. The truth is a little more complicated.

Even though the Rangers outshot the Devils throughout the game, the contest was still up for grabs until Chris Kreider hammered home the 2-0 goal on an odd-man power-play rush.

Though Martin Brodeur had some uncharacteristic gaffes early in the game, the New York offense couldn't capitalize on its opportunities. Shots went wide, passes were overskated, and at times, it seemed like Henrik Lundqvist was keeping them in the game by sheer force of will.

Players such as Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi made painful and unexpected turnovers, though Girardi redeemed himself by opening the scoring in the third period. The Rangers' power play, problematic at best during the playoffs, surrendered no less than five shorthanded opportunities, including an extended sequence where Zach Parise rendered the entire Ranger defense impotent before Lundqvist was able to stop the Devils' captain.

This is not to say that the Rangers shouldn't feel good about the win -- after all, nobody cares how you get them, just that you collect four wins before the other team does. But the club cannot simply lean on its goaltender and hope that Brodeur will blink first.

If anything, Monday night's game proves that the Rangers, once motivated, can skate with the Devils. Now they must go forward and enforce their will in Game 2 to take control of the series before it moves to New Jersey.