RANGERS POST GAME NOTES

NEW YORK RANGERS POST-GAME NOTES AND QUOTES

September 23, 2010 – New York Rangers 4, New Jersey Devils 3 OT (Pre-Season: Game No. 1, Home No. 1)

Click Here For The Official Game Summary

• The Rangers defeated the Devils, 4-3, in overtime at Madison Square Garden in their opening game of their 2010-2011 pre-season schedule.
• Marian Gaborik notched two power play goals, including the overtime game-winning goal at 3:12 of the extra frame.  His power play tally at 6:43 of the first period opened the game’s scoring.  Last season, Gaborik tied for third in the NHL with 14 power play goals.
• New York notched two goals in seven power play attempts overall (12:24).  Last season, the Rangers ranked fourth in the NHL at home with a 22.9 power play percentage (38-166).
• Forward Alex Frolov led the team with two assists and three points in his Rangers debut.  He also led all team forwards with 22:25 of ice time, and tied for the game high with six shots on goal.  Frolov signed with the Rangers as a free agent on July 26.
• Martin Biron turned aside 17 of 19 shots in the game’s first two periods (40:00) in a no decision while making his Rangers debut.  Chad Johnson stopped six of seven shots in the third period and overtime (23:08) to register the win.
• Derek Stepan, the Rangers’ second round choice (51^st overall) in 2008, tallied an assist on Gaborik’s first period power play goal and registered four shots in 18:14 of ice time.  Last season, Stepan established career-highs with 12 goals, 42 assists and 54 points while skating in 41 games with the University of Wisconsin Badgers of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA).
• Forward Brian Boyle notched the Rangers’ third goal of the contest with an even strength tally at 14:20 of the second period, and led the team with four hits.
• Defenseman Dan Girardi recorded an assist on Gaborik’s game-winning, power play goal at 3:12 of the overtime period.  Girardi also registered two blocked shots in 26:40 of ice time.
• Dale Weise, the Rangers’ fourth round choice (111^th overall) in 2008, registered the only assist on Boyle’s second period goal.  Last season, Weise established career-highs with 28 goals, 22 assists and 50 points in his second season with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL).
• Defenseman Marc Staal led all skaters with 27:37 of ice time.  Last season, Staal led the Rangers with a career-high 23:07 of ice time per game.
• After an off day tomorrow, the Ranges return to action Saturday, September 25, when they will face-off against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center (7:00 p.m.), in the second game of their home-and-home set; the game will be televised live on MSG.  Prior to the game, the Rangers morning skate is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. at the MSG Training Center.

POST-GAME QUOTES

John Tortorella on tonight’s game…

“I thought it was a good game. I thought we had really good energy.  I thought there were times in each of the periods that there was a little bit of a lull as far as our game is concerned. But we were able to put guys in different spots, and they were able to react. It was a good first game for us, just to see how people play in certain situations.”

Marian Gaborik on the first game…

“Everybody was anxious to get into the game, into the rhythm. Not just us, but I think New Jersey as well. I think it was a good first preseason game. It was pretty physical as well. It was great to get a win in front of the fans.”

Brian Boyle on playing more this season…

“It is more about being consistent.  I think I can do things.  We have a lot of skill guys on this team.  I can use my body and do things that other guys on the other team can’t.  I have to play to my strengths.  It is just a consistency thing.  It is playing hard, playing physical.  It is more about the initiative.  I can bang guys and create room.  Again, it is just one preseason game but it was a lot of fun to get back on the ice.”