Devils Continue Surge, Rangers Continue Splurg

DEVILS 6, SHARKS 5

FLYERS 5, RANGERS 2

The New York Rangers continue to sink faster than a man trapped in quicksand. The Blue Shirts dropped their seventh game in their last eight tries, this time falling to the Philadelphia Flyers 5-2 at Madison Square Garden.

The Flyers scored four goals in the second period with absolulte ease. The Rangers defense was terrible, and the play of goal Henrick Lundqvist left a lot to be desired.

Philly's Mike Richards got it started with a short handed goal at the start of the period. Later, Matt Carle, Glenn Metropolit and Mike Knuble added three goals in a span of 1:49.

If this performance does not lead to the firing of coach Tom Renney, what will? Keep in mind James Dolan is patient to a fault, i.e. Isiah Thomas with the Knicks.

As for the Devils they got into a high scoring fight with the best team from the West, the San Jose Sharks. The game went back and forth all night long, as San Jose held a 4-3 advantage into the final period, but the Devils stormed back with three goals in the final period to win the game. Patrick Elias scored on a power play to tie it up at four. Later, Jamie Langenbrunner scored on another power play to give New Jersey a 5-4 lead. San Jose eventually tied it with a goal from Joe Pavelski.

Finally, with 4:32 to go, David Clarkson scored on a power play goal to give the Devils the 6-5 advantage. Clarkson had a goal earlier in the game at the end of the first period to give New Jersey a 3-2 lead.

The Devils remain eight points ahead of Philly for first in the Atlantic Division.