The New York Rangers after scoring in the first minute of the game on Nigel Dawes first goal of the season held on to defeat their Hudson River rivals the New Jersey Devils 2-0 in action at Madison Square Garden Thursday night.Thursday’s game against the Diablos is the first of six at home for the Broadway Blueshirts.

After going 0-2 with the man advantage in the first period the Rangers allowed the Devils three straight powerplay opportunities in the second. The Rangers who have self-destructed in the second period this season managed to survive without a goal scored against them. You have to wonder what Coach Renney says to the troops in between periods because the Rangers come out flat every time. They can thank the play of goaltender Henrik Lundqvist for keeping the score 1-0 after 40 minutes.

Tonight was a good night for the Rangers own feeble powerplay to break out as the Devils penalty killing unit is ranked 29^th in the league. The Diablos had given up 11 odd man goals in the last seven games prior to tonight’s action. And the Blueshirts did just that. The Rangers put the game out of reach with a late powerplay goal by Dawes who scored with a nice wrist shot from the left dot at 16:07. Brandon Dubinsky picked up his first NHL point on the play and Petr Prucha picked up the other assist.

ST.RANGER PLAYER OF THE GAME as brought to you by rangerspress.com is Henrik Lundqvist for picking up his first shutout of the year. With the way the Rangers score goals Lundqvist needs a shutout every night. Over the last three games Lundqvist has given up one regulation time goal but only has tonight’s win to show for his stellar efforts. We could have gone with Nigel Dawes but he was our ST.RANGER PLAYER OF THE GAME last time out against Pittsburgh.

Up next for the Remedial Rangers is Mats “Moonbeam” Sundin (6-11-17) and the Toronto Maple Leafs (3-4-3). The Laffs are coming off a road game in Pittsburgh Thursday night. Saturday’s game is being broadcast on Hockey Night in Canada north of the border.

ST.RANGER THINGS…Eddie Giacomin was the last Ranger goalie to start the first nine games of the season…Colton Orr muscled his way to seven hits to lead the home squad…Chris Drury and Dawes tied for a team high five shots on goal…Drury led all forwards with 20:07 of ice time…Dan Girardi led the D with 23:11 … After going 0-9 on the pp against Boston and Pittsburgh the Blueshirts went 1-4 against New Jersey…Outshot the Devils 31-22.

Until next time baby Blueshirts…puck on!

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