New Jersey Returning To Playoff Form

NHL

The New Jersey Devils, getting another big effort from their defense and goaltender Martin Brodeur, continued their drive for a playoff berth with a 2-2 tie against the Rangers Monday night at New York.

Playing a classic Devils game, New Jersey held the Rangers to just 25 shots - 33 less than New York had against Buffalo in a 3-3 tie Friday night.

“They don’t give you a whole lot of chances, by clearing the rebounds, so you really have to capitalize on the chances that you get,” Rangers forward Adam Graves said of New Jersey.

Devils 2, Rangers 2

New Jersey 0 2 0 0 - 2

N.Y. Rangers 1 1 0 0 - 2

First Period-1, New York, Momesso 8 (Messier, Kovalev), 2:07 (pp).

Second Period-2, New Jersey, Sullivan 3 (Niedermayer), 7:37. 3, New York, Nemchinov 13 (Sundstrom), 7:48. 4, New Jersey, McKay 9 (Simpson), 11:06.

Third Period-None.

Overtime-None.

Shots on goal-New Jersey 12-14-8-0-34. New York 6-10-8-1-25.Power-play opp.-New Jersey 0 of 5; New York 1 of 4.Goalies-New Jersey, Brodeur 26-22-9 (25 shots-23 saves). New York, Healy 16-6-10 (34-32).A-18,200 (18,200).

Around the league

Goaltender Jim Carey of the Washington Capitals, who posted consecutive shutouts over Boston and Philadelphia, was selected the NHL player of the week… . A decision on whether St. Louis center Wayne Gretzky will play in tonight’s game with Florida will be made after the 35-year-old center skates in practice with the Blues this morning. Gretzky suffered a concussion in Sunday’s game at Edmonton… . . Left wing Greg Adams of the Dallas Stars will miss up to four weeks with a fractured right hand sustained in Saturday’s victory over Toronto.