Devils Again Stumble Over Skate in Crease

For the second game in a row, the New Jersey Devils thought they had come back to tie the New York Rangers. For the second game in a row, they were tripped up by their own feet.

An apparent goal by Doug Gilmour late in the game was disallowed when a video review showed teammate Bill Guerin had a skate in the Rangers’ crease.

It would have tied the score with 7:42 remaining. Instead, New York’s defense clamped down for a 3-2 victory Tuesday night, putting the Rangers ahead two games to one in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series.

New Jersey Coach Jacques Lemaire, who has defended the unpopular skate-in-the-crease rule since its arrival this season, was philosophical.

“I don’t think it’s a silly play,” he said. “[Guerin is] driving, he’s working hard, he’s going to the net for the loose puck. I don’t blame the player. I don’t blame the rule, either. The rule is fine.”

Gilmour’s goal, on one of three Devil power plays in the third, was disallowed when the video showed Guerin had skated from behind the net to the opposite side of the crease behind Ranger goalie Mike Richter.

“I don’t think it’s a great rule, but it’s easy to criticize. It worked for us tonight,” Richter said. “Guerin was just doing his job. If the guy had waited a second to shoot, Guerin would have been through.”

In Game 2, Steve Thomas’ goal was taken away when he strayed into the crease. The Devils ultimately lost, 2-0.

Wayne Gretzky and Esa Tikkanen scored in the first 5 1/2 minutes for New York, and Tikkanen added the game-winner on a power play in the second period. New Jersey’s goals were scored by Randy McKay and Thomas.

New York won despite being outshot, 35-26, including 15-3 in the third period as New Jersey’s defense, disorganized in the earlier periods, closed down.

“We stopped hitting and they got vicious and mean and hard,” Ranger Coach Colin Campbell said.