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NEW YORK (AP) – Moral victories and ties won't get the New York
Rangers into the playoffs. Against the New Jersey Devils they can't
seem to muster any more than that.
Theo Fleury scored his 30th goal this season for the Rangers,
but Turner Stevenson answered early in the third period as the
Devils extended their unbeaten streak against New York to 22 games
with a 1-1 tie Sunday.
|  | | Theo Fleury scores short-handed past Martin Brodeur, but the goal wasn't enough for the Rangers to prevent their winless streak vs. the Devils from reaching 22 games. |
"That's not at all in our thoughts right now," said Rangers
captain Mark Messier, who earned a point for the fourth straight
game. "We've got too many other things that are more important
than what we've done in the last three years against the Devils
facing us right now."
New York is in 10th place in the Eastern Conference, 10 points
out of the final playoff spot with 26 games remaining. The
defending champion Devils lead the conference, 21 points ahead of
New York.
"For pride purposes we'd like to win, but right now we need
points," said Mike Richter, who was sharp in making 27 saves in
his goalie duel with New Jersey's Martin Brodeur.
The Rangers have not beaten their cross-river rivals in the
regular season since Jan. 12, 1997, going 0-14-8. The teams have
tied twice in three games this season.
"It's nice, but it's not something that we think about," said
Brodeur, who made 33 saves. "There will probably never be another
streak like this ever again where one team just has it over
another.
"So we'll just enjoy it for as long as it goes."
The Devils tied it on a power play 4:33 into the third period
when Stevenson, in front of the net, tipped a shot from Scott
Stevens under Richter.
The Rangers are the only NHL team without a shutout this season
and Richter hasn't had one in 122 games, dating to Feb. 26, 1999.
Brodeur kept the Devils even with a game-saving stop on rookie
Jeff Ulmer, late in regulation. Ulmer came off the bench to take a
pass in the slot from Radek Dvorak, skating behind the net. His
one-timed shot caught the bottom of Brodeur's left pad.
"Unbelievable save," said Ulmer, the owner of one career NHL
goal. "I had two chances, I have to bury one of them."
The Rangers also failed to convert a 2-on-1 in the final minute
of overtime.
Fleury reached 30 goals for the eighth time in his NHL career,
after a deft setup by Messier, with 5:18 left in the second.
Messier wrapped a pass all the way around the net that came up
the left boards. Fleury, who outraced Stevens to come in alone,
flipped a back-hander that Brodeur got a glove on but could not
keep out.
"I just tried to get it out knowing he'd be over there
somewhere," Messier said. "He made the play though. He's always
dangerous, always looking to jump to a hole."
Fleury, who stood smiling over the prone Brodeur in the crease
after the goal, scored his seventh short-handed goal this season –
tied for the league lead – and extended his team record for one
season.
"He said, 'You lucky bugger, you missed your shot,"' Fleury
said of his All-Star teammate Brodeur. "I said, 'Yeah, well it
still went in.' That's why I was laughing,"
The Devils played their third straight overtime game and earned
a point for the 24th time in 27 games (15-3-6-3).
New York was given four power plays in the first period, but did
not even register a shot against Brodeur. The Rangers, 0-for-6
overall with one shot, scored only six man-advantage goals in the
last 27 games – but tallied once each in their two previous games.
"I have been very happy with our penalty killing," Devils
coach Larry Robinson said. "I wish I could say the same on the
other side."
The Devils, who went 1-for-6 on the power play, played without
defensemen Scott Niedermayer (knee) and Brian Rafalski (shoulder)
for the second straight game. Forward Jason Arnott, who hurt his
shoulder in Saturday's loss at Pittsburgh, took part in the pregame
skate but was scratched.
"It was a great game for us," Brodeur said. "It was a tough
game with a lot of our key guys out."
Game notes
New Jersey's leading scorer, Alexander Mogilny, returned
after a one-game absence caused by a sore neck. ... New York C Mike
York missed the game with a left shoulder separation, sustained
Friday night. His status for Monday's game at Columbus is
uncertain. D Rich Pilon sat out his second straight game with a
mild concussion and was placed on injured reserve, retroactive to
Feb. 6. ... Fleury snapped his second four-game goal-less streak – a season-high. ... The teams meet twice more this season at New Jersey.
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New Jersey 1
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Minnesota 4
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Montreal 4
Buffalo 3
Carolina 2
Anaheim 2
St. Louis 3
Dallas 3
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AUDIO/VIDEO
 Theo Fleury beats Martin Brodeur for a Rangers' short-handed goal.
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