Strong Start Slips Away in Second Period | COLUMN

Everything was going the Devils' way.
They had a 1-0 lead in the second period. The crowd at Prudential Center was at the highest possible decibel after Jack Hughes threw a crushing hit into New York's Tyler Motte. The entire game's momentum was in their favor, and they were riding the wave.
And then that wave crashed.
The Rangers' Vladimir Tarasenko snapped a shot on net through a Vincent Trocheck screen that tied the game at 1-1 six minutes into the second frame.
And then the bottom fell out.
Two minutes later, Miles Wood took an offensive zone penalty. Chris Kreider converted on the power play to make it 2-1 New York.
Late in the second period, Timo Meier took an offensive zone penalty. Chris Kreider converted on the power play to make it 3-1 New York.
And the Rangers never looked back en route to a 5-1 victory in Game 2 Thursday night to take a 2-0 series lead.

"If you look at their first goal, a little panic on that play and we gave the puck away in the defensive zone," head coach Lindy Ruff said. "I think that gave them a little bit of momentum and their power play has been dangerous. I think that's been the biggest difference."
The Devils got the start they wanted. They were engaged physically with hits and post-whistle battles. They were engaged mentally with smart decisions and solid execution. They scored a power-play goal from Erik Haula. They had a lead after the first period.
"In the beginning we kept it pretty simple," forward Jesper Bratt said. "We had some really good energy. We were finishing checks. We were getting pucks back. We were staying above and minimizing their chances a lot."
But the Tarasenko goal swung the entire game's momentum in New York's direction. The Devils victimized themselves by taking undisciplined penalties.
"It's tough when you're taking as many penalties as we do against this kind of team," Bratt said. "They have a good power play. They showed it."
Entering the series, one of the most intriguing storylines was the Devils penalty kill against New York's power play. New Jersey ranked 4th in the NHL and had killed 28 of the last 32 (87.5%) entering the playoffs. The Rangers power play is certainly deadly. It finished ranked 7th in the league and clicked for nine of 22 (a whopping 40.9 percent) entering the postseason.
The unstoppable force would meet the immovable object. And so far, the immovable object has been movable.
The Rangers power play has connected for four man-advantage goals (all from Kreider, all on tips) on 10 opportunities, continuing that aforementioned 40-percent clip.
"(Kreider) is great in front. They have so many threats out there it's hard to worry about one single guy," defenseman John Marino said. "They spread it out pretty good, too. We have to stay out of the box. That helps a lot."
The Devils have scored two goals (Haula, Hughes) in the opening two games. It's been a rare lack of production for New Jersey, which had the 5th-best offense in the regular season with 3.52 goals per game and four 30-goal scorers in Hughes (43), Meier (40), Bratt (32) and Nico Hischier (31).
The Devils' offense has been stymied so far by a collapsing and structured Rangers team, as well as New York goaltender Igor Shesterkin, who's made 48 saves on 50 shots against.
"They're playing tight. They are giving us the outside and minimize the chances we get from the slot," Bratt said. "For us, it's going to come down to getting more easy pucks to the net and getting second chances. Those Grade A chances aren't going to come unless we open it up with longer shifts in the O zone and getting lot of movement."
The Rangers stole two in Newark. Now the series shifts to Madison Square Garden for Games 3 (Saturday) and 4 (Monday). New Jersey was 1-0-1 in Manhattan this season while also tying a franchise record with 28 road victories on the season.
"The team has always ben up for an incredible challenge," Ruff said. "They're going to battle to the bitter end. I have a lot of faith in this team. I have a lot of faith in the group. They gave me everything they've got the whole year.
"This group has a lot of heart. They have a lot of desire."
The Devils also overcame an 0-2 start to the regular season to set a franchise record with 52 victories.
"We started the season at 0-2. After that we went 18-1-1. We see this as so far from over," Bratt said. "They came into our building and won two. We know that we can do the same thing in their building. We've been playing good hockey on the road and we're hungry for more."
"This is a great challenge. This is what we've worked for all year," Meier said. "We're staying positive. We're going to move on. We're going to look to correct some things. Now it's go time. Win the next game."