Battle of New York

After a first half that saw only the New Jersey Devils achieve success in the Eastern Conference standings, the battle of New York may heat up in the second half. The Islanders have improved their stock considerably after a decisive December and now the Rangers are showing signs of finding a sense of consistency.

Granted, the Rangers have the most ground to make up in the second half of the schedule because they remain last in the Atlantic Division despite having played up to five games more than their rivals. Their margin for error is gone. They can't afford to have any more low moments the rest of the way.

In the moment, though, the Blueshirts have come to grips with injuries to key players Pavel Bure and Brian Leetch. The line of Eric Lindros-Bobby Holik-Matthew Barnaby is leading the way. The move of Lindros to the wing has worked nicely, giving the Rangers a large, aggressive line up front -- a presence that makes them difficult to play against, and an element that was mostly missing through the first 40 games.

Ultimately, the Rangers will rely on the goaltending of Mike Dunham. He has been stellar since his liberation from Nashville. His goals-gainst average and save percentage are excellent as a Ranger, yet he is only .500. That has to change. Dunham has to be the difference maker the rest of the way -- moving from number-poster to winner, much like Chris Osgood on the Island.

After a terrible start, Osgood has found his game, going 7-0-2 in his last nine decisions. In December, he posted gaudy numbers, allowing just shy of a goal and a half a game, including two shutouts. The run got the Isles back into the mix in the East and saw Osgood's numbers rise from awful to average. Despite his resurgence, Osgood is still prone to the odd siesta, giving up marginal goals at times. When he is on a roll, however, those moments occur when his team has a game well in hand.

In any event, whether you call Osgood streaky, or characterize him as a guy capable of elevating his game to the level of carrying a team, one thing is certain. Osgood knows how to win and despite his early stumbles, he still has a chance to end up with his sixth 30-win season.

As important as Osgood's renaissance has been to the Islanders' rise, the return of Michael Peca was paramount. His effect on this team is staggering. Aside from the intangibles he brings to the club, two statistics characterize and quantify his contributions.

On the penalty kill, the Islanders were ineffective with Peca sidelined, posting a sub-80 percent rating. With Peca back, the Islanders are handling manpower disadvantages at over 90 percent efficiency. No doubt Osgood's improved play has contributed to the PK turnaround as well. Still, with Peca, the Isles are eight games above .500 after starting the season six games under .500 while he was idle.

While the Islanders have rediscovered the correlation between defensive numbers and winning with Peca back as their leader, the Devils have flogged that formula successfully thus far. With goaltender Martin Brodeur providing the foundation, the Devs are diabolically difficult to score against. They give up only two goals per game and yield but eight and a half goals per hundred shots on goal. This staunch defensive style is nothing new in the swamp, but the emphasis on defense seems even more emphatic under coach Pat Burns.

While this approach has netted 23 wins and 52 points through 41 games, one has to wonder about the offense, especially with Joe Nieuwendyk banged up and slumping. Production down the middle in general is lacking in New Jersey, and the power play has been virtually non-existent through the first half. If the Devils are to keep their top four ranking in the East, the power play needs to produce a lot more. They can't continue to stare down their opponents 2-1, can they?

Maybe. But look for the boys from Manhattan and Long Island to pose the stiffest challenge to the Devils and their steely defensive gaze as the regional rivalries heat up in the second half.

 

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