Gaborik told reporters that Tortorella’s issue with his game was wall play.

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) May 17, 2012

John Tortorella refused to comment on Marian Gaborik‘s benching saying, “no….no” when questioned about it

-        Ryan Callahan on the team’s mentality heading into Game 3…
“We’ve been in this situation before.  We just have to go into Jersey and try to get that next game.  We can’t get down.  Like I said, we’ve been in this situation before, and we’ve come through.  We’ll get a day off tomorrow, and be ready to work on Friday.”
-        Carl Hagelin on the importance of the first goal of the game…
“It seems to be like that in the playoffs, the team to get the first goal seems to play a bit more relaxed. They don’t have to take many chances to get chances. Then you just play well defensively.”
Scoring: 

Stats:

Adam’s Thoughts:

• For the third straight series the Rangers lose game two by a score of 3-2. If this ends up like the other two series, I think most will be happy.
• Marian Gaborik saw limited ice time in the third period and it may have been because of a less than stellar play clearing the puck that ended up leading to the Devils tying the game. He definitely needs to be better.
• We saw how good the Devils can be in this game. They were faster, dominated the first period and then surged at the end of the second period to tie the game. They looked like the team that beat the Rangers during the regular season tonight.
• The Rangers have been bouncing back all season and all playoff long and they need to do it again on Saturday

Red Wings still planning prospect tourney in TC but it’s slated to start Sept. 14. It can’t be held if CBA expires on 15th with no new deal.

— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) May 16, 2012

Custance adds, “Ken Holland, who runs TC tourney, will meet with other 7 teams to pick drop dead date for tourney if new CBA isn’t agreed upon before then.”

Not even @CoryBooker can save you tonight, @NHLDevils #LetsGoRangers

— NYC Mayor’s Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) May 16, 2012

Game Notes via the Rangers:

The Rangers will face-off against the New Jersey Devils tomorrow at Madison Square Garden (8:00 p.m.; TV: NBC Sports Network; Radio: ESPN 98.7FM), in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final. The Blueshirts opened up their third round series with a 3-0 win over the Devils in Game 1 on Monday at Madison Square Garden. New York has now won six of their last nine opening games of playoff series dating back to the 2007 playoffs. The Rangers enter tomorrow’s contest with a 207-222-8 record all-time in 437 playoff contests (116-86-2 at home; 91-136-6 on the road). New York has posted a 45-48-2 record all-time in Game 2 of playoff series.

The Rangers and Devils are meeting in the playoffs for the sixth time overall and the third time in seven years. Their last postseason encounter was in the 2008 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, a series won by the Rangers, 4-1. Overall, the Blueshirts have a 4-1 playoff series record vs. the Devils, posting a 17-12 mark in 29 postseason contests.

NOTE: The Rangers say that you must already have tickets to game three.

CLICK HERE for more info.

via Andrew K

via Deadspin