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Although there were a lot of frustrating aspects of the Devils’ 4-1 loss to the Rangers in the swamp, er Rock, none had to be more biting than hearing Ranger fans chant ‘Scottie Gomez!’ in the third period.  And why not, the ex-Devil dominated his former mates with three assists and gained a measure of bragging rights over not only New Jersey but specifically John Madden who dissed his ex-teammate by saying he ‘didn’t check third-line centers’.  Maybe he shouldn’t have checked Gomez tonight as he wound up a -3 to Gomez’s +3.

A close second on the frustration meter would be the second goal allowed by Martin Brodeur.  It was not only a bad goal (and shorthanded no less) but it was a goal caused by the one thing that has been the hallmark of the future Hall of Famer’s career - puckhandling.  His weak backhanded clearing attempt fell right onto the stick of Ryan Callahan for what turned out to be the decisive goal.

Of course the Devils offensive offense had their usual array of whatifs and might have beens, hitting three posts.  Sergei Brylin’s attempt in the first period was the most infurating, since he raised his hands as if he had scored when in fact the puck did not go into the net.

And finally, what would a Ranger-Devil game be without Nigel Dawes scoring?  Although this time it was with Brodeur on the bench at least.