Avery a Non-Factor in Game 4 of the Rangers-Devils Series

It seemed as though Tom Renney forgot that along with Sean Avery antics, you also get one hell of a hockey player. It was almost as though the Ranger head coach was making a statement to Avery by giving him his smallest amount of ice time in this year's play-offs. Maybe he did not like the fact that Avery's tango session with Brodeur in Game three, brought a lot publicity to the Rangers team as a whole. Renney may have also just been keeping Avery in check who lost mental focus in last year's play-offs after a strong showing in the first round. Whatever the reason, Avery only had a little over twelve minutes of ice time in which he registered two shots on goal. Avery did however, swing momentum in the Rangers favor in the second period. When he drove the puck wide using his speed and drew a tripping penalty, which once again reunited him with Martin Brodeur as he crashed into him as he was tripped. The Rangers had a strong power play with Colin White sitting in the box, and sooner after the penalty was over Chris Drury scored making it a 3-2 game in the Rangers favor. The game was tied up early in the third period, by former Boston College defenseman Mike Mottau. Rookie phenom Marc Staal scored the game-winner for the Rangers, sniping the lower right corner of the net. Scott Gomez added an empty net goal in the Rangers 5-3 victory. The Rangers now have a 3-1 series lead over the Devils. The series will be heading back to New Jersey for game 5 on Friday, puck drop is 7:30pm.