Take that Fatso!

Last night at MSG - the 2008-2009 NY Rangers played like a team who can do damage in the playoffs. 60 minutes of total effort and complete dominance of the NJ Devils was on the menu.

They won loose puck battles, they pelted Marty with shots, they hit, they skated and they put the puck behind Mr. Brodeur.

It was a complete team effort, something many of us have been searching for. Scott Gomez - Ryan Callahan and Sean Avery were once again , for lack of better words - AWESOME.

This line under Torts tutelage, has become one of the best in the game recently. Gomez is playing with a new found passion, taking the puck with desire and direction. Cally has 8 goals in 14 games ( which would put him on pace for 47 over the regular season ) and Avery has been nothing short of fantastic.

The devils once again, in a big spot vs the Rangers pulled up lame. Hank now goes 14-2-4 overall head to head vs Mr. Marty.

Avery was in their heads the entire night. On Cally's goal, the Rangers broke in 3 on 3. Gomez had the puck on the far side, and Avery then made a b-line for the net, drawing 2 Devil players with him. That left Cally wide open on the off wing Gomez made a great pass, and Cally converted.

It was Avery that drew the 2 players that allowed the play to develop.

Then, in the third, the Devils showed true class by continually to attack Avery. Clarkson, tossed Avery down TWO times, and Rupp with 10 seconds left in the game, took a cheap shot.

Avery on Clarkson's roughing him up and twice tossing him to the ice, without retaliation: "It's a 3-0 game at that point and I don't think there's anything to gain by doing anything at that point. It certainly takes discipline for sure. You fight for your team and your teammates. At that point, I didn't need to fight for either of them."

Sounds like Gotham's favorite pest has a little bit of Captain in him these days.