Today's Playoff Headlines

Today's newspaper round-up...

Steve Zipay at Newsday writes about the Rangers youngsters..."When Brendan Shanahan appeared in his first playoff game with the Devils 20 years ago, a handful of current Rangers were infants. Now Marc Staal, Brandon Dubinsky, Nigel Dawes, Ryan Callahan and Dan Girardi not only are his teammates, but their play will help determine how far Shanahan and the rest of the Rangers veterans advance in the Stanley Cup playoffs."

At The Daily News, John Dellpina wonders how the Devils will make adjustments to an approach that worked but didn't win..."...the sneaking suspicion inside the visitors' dressing room at the Prudential Center immediately following Wednesday night's game and after yesterday's practice in Greenburgh was that the Rangers can play much better in Game 2 while the Devils might not have another gear to shift into, nor other tactics to exploit."

Marc Everson at The New York Post says the Rangers are getting a second chance in the playoffs..."This is the Rangers' colossal chance, their opportunity to finally start building that powerhouse aura they never achieved during the regular season, despite the blockbuster signings. Tonight is when Ranger expectation can begin to equal accomplishment."

Larry Brooks at The New York Post says the Rangers are using the Devils formula for victory..."If winning hockey games 2-1 (or 4-1 with three goals in the third period) is borrowing from New Jersey, then the Rangers are unashamed copycats. If having a Vezina contender in nets is copying the Devils, the Rangers are in. But the differences in approach between the two teams and organizations are manifest.

At the New York Times, Lynn Zinser says despite the headlines from Game being about Martin Brodeur's gaffe, Henrik Lundqvist was the real story..."Of Henrik Lundqvist’s 26 saves, several were spectacular, none bigger than stealing what seemed a sure goal off the stick of forward Patrik Elias in the second period with the game tied at 1-1."

Josh Thompson at The Journal News says that the Rangers spent yesterday's off-day fixing things..."In a pre-practice video session, Renney detailed how the club could improve, namely with its puck protection and the little matter of avoiding crushing penalties."

...I think the general consensus is that the Rangers stole Game 1, which has them feeling real good about themselves knowing they still haven't played their best hockey.