AUTHOR: The Maven TITLE: Don't sleep on Rangers; impressive Gionta DATE: 10/16/2006 12:09:00 PM ----- BODY:

The obvious paradox about the Devils’ two-game winning streak is that Brian Gionta scored four goals in two nights – three against Toronto and the game-winner over Philly – yet he’s not close to being in top playing condition. “Where was I for the first two periods?” he asked-told me after the opening night thriller over the Leafs. Honest as the days is long, the Mighty Mite is just as quick to reject kudos and finger his flaws, as he is to take undeserved compliments. Because he was kept out of exhibition games until his new contract is sealed, Brian will require – at least in his mind – a couple of months before reaching mint condition. If this is how he’ll play being OUT of condition, the Devils will be even more tickled as he improves. But apart from Brian’s big games, I was impressed with the manner in which Zach Parise has matured. His opened goal on Saturday night was a nifty shot from the right side, which he appears to be perfecting. J.P. Parise’s kid is meshing gears neatly with Gionta and Scott Gomez, the latter of whom never fails to hurl a funny verbal dart when he can. “Since Brian and I are the senior members of the line,” laughs Gomer, “any time we make a mistake, we blame The Kid (as in Parise.) But there’s no denying that he’s doing well.” There were some other Devils’ subtleties that caught my eye. Namely: JOHNNY ODUYA AND FAHEY The rookie defense pair are unobtrusively doing their jobs. More importantly, coach Claude Julien had no hesitation employing them late in the third period with the Devils hard-pressed to protect the one-goal lead. FOURTH-LINE BANGERS Julien crafted a fourth line of Mike Rupp, Cam Janssen and Erik Rasmussen. Because of the large number of penalties, the trio had relatively little ice time but when they were on the pond, they played smart, aggressive hockey and forechecked especially well. Rupp, who’s battling Dan Lacouture for a spot on that unit, hustled in the manner Lou Lamoriello expected when he imported the big guy back to New Jersey. JAMIE LANGENBRUNNER The veteran hustler has played well from the get-go but on Saturday night he delivered the key, game-tying goal late in the second on a neat deflection and late in the third had a clean breakaway on Antero Niittymaki. Jamie forced the Flyers’ goalie to produce his glove-save-of-the-season – at least so far – but what’s important is that JL is getting the chances. BRIAN RAFALSKI He may not have a fan club but the compact Wisconsin product is compelling recognition with solid, two-way play. On Saturday, the D-man assisted on ALL three New Jersey goals, yet he someone gets forgotten in the next-day stories. Tonight (Monday night) at the Garden, the Devils will be tested by a team determined to compensate for their Saturday night drubbing in Buffalo. As Marty Brodeur opines, “When we play the Rangers, it’s always special.” So, what about those Rangers? As Danny DeVito painfully noted in a touching scene from “The Tin Men,” when confronted by his wife over poor salesmanship, “I’m in a slump. I’M IN A SLUMP!” A few media types are portraying losses to Pittsburgh (actually a very close game) and Buffalo as something akin to Armageddon. Gimme a break. All the Blueshirts require is a win tonight and all will be rosy in the state of Rangerville. Henny Lundqvist will be rested and back in goal; sizzling Brendan Shanahan should remain in his groove and the defense figures to tighten up, if not become hermetically sealed. Which brings us to the captain and the need for him to lead in every manner; on and off the ice. Jaromir Jagr still is in a recuperative (shoulder) mode and must be cut some slack for now, at least. But Double J must – M-U-S-T – eliminate the penalties that have hurt the team in critical situations. We all know that the refs are calling them ultra-close. So does JJ. If he doesn’t show his team how to do it, who will? Tonight’s Devils’ encounter will provide an excellent litmus test. A couple of Islanders wins in a row does not signify a Stanley Cup contender but there’s a delicious story line here. Mike Dunham, considered washed-up by many partially intelligent hockey observers, won both games; at Anaheim and the home opener on Saturday in Nassau. His boss, Garth Snow, had Dunham’s name on a list of prospective back-ups before training camp opened. The g.m. liked the former Devils’ product a lot but had an interesting reason for rejecting him. Dunham and Snow were buddies and dual-goaltenders at the University of Maine. Snow hesitated signing Dunham because he thought some thoughtless newsmen might accuse him of nepotism. Fortunately, Garth let his conscience be his guide, inked Dunny and Mike has reciprocated with a couple of sterling performances. Even Rick DiPietro would agree with that!

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