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Shanahan helps Rangers end Devils' winning streak

Dec 10, 2007 - 2:32 AM By Larry Fleischer PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

NEW YORK (Ticker) - The New York Rangers were on their longest losing streak of the season and a game against the New Jersey Devils was exactly what they needed to end it.

Brendan Shanahan scored 30 seconds into overtime and Henrik Lundqvist recorded his fifth shutout of the season as the Rangers snapped a three-game skid with a 1-0 victory over the Devils.

Lundqvist stopped four shots in the first, nine in the second and four in the third to post his 12th career shutout and help the Rangers end the Devils' season-best nine game winning streak.

Shanahan said it was easy for the Rangers to get up for the Devils, who they have beaten four straight times.

"Coming into a situation like this game where we've lost three in a row, I think we were all happy it was the Devils coming in because you know the game was going to have a lot of atmosphere," Shanahan said.

"Let's face it, go ask their coaches," New Jersey coach Brent Sutter said. "It was probably one of the better games they've played in a while. When you go on a run like we've been, everybody is gearing to play you because they want to knock you off. When you put the Rangers-Devils thing into it, that just adds to it."

Lundqvist rebounded after having allowed eight goals in just five periods during the losing streak.

New York's ability to not get frustrated when Martin Brodeur stopped its first 28 shots paid off when Shanahan blasted a one-timer from the right faceoff circle that deflected off New Jersey defenseman Andy Greene's shinpad and past Brodeur.

"It was not a huge breakdown by them," Shanahan said. "There was not a whole lot of room. It's the way that game was going to be. It was going to be a quick play, open for a second. It wasn't sort of a breakdown and a breakaway or a 2-on-1 a 3-on-1. It was just going to be someone threading the needle with the pass and being opportunistic."

"I know he was not aiming it there," Brodeur said. "But he's shooting hard at the net and he found a small hole because my whole body was caught up and he just beat me top shelf."

Former Devil Scott Gomez made the pass from the corner and when Shanahan converted it, the Rangers had their fourth win in as many tries against New Jersey.

It was certainly not easy for the Rangers, who outshot the Devils, 29-17. They could not get their first 28 shots past Martin Brodeur, who entered the game with a 1.53 goals-against average and a .940 save percentage in his last nine contests.

"Marty is Marty," Gomez said. "Those whole club over there, they are tremendous. What can you say? They put a great stretch together there."