NEW YORK – No one ever said it would be easy and the bounces would not always go the Rangers way.

In Game 3, they went the Devils direction. John Madden’s puck went off Marc Staal’s skate to give New Jersey the win 6:01 into the first overtime to cut the Rangers series lead to 2-1.

“We didn’t expect this would be a walk in the park,” said coach Tom Renney. It’s a seven game series and they are a good team. We have had very close games all year long. The puck does that and tonight was their turn.”

“We knew they were going to come out desperate,” added forward Brendan Shanahan. “Tonight, unfortunately we are talking about them getting a win. We certainly had plenty of chances, especially in regulation to pull ahead.”

Penalties were the story of this game with the Devils enjoying eight power plays and converting on two. Both Patrik Elias and Zach Parise converted on the man advantage, with Parise’s going in off Brendan Shanahan.

“I don’t know the number of chances tonight, but they had a couple of really good scoring chances,” said Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist, who ended up with 29 saves. “We had a tough time especially in the second period. Again we came back strong in the third, tying the game. Unfortunately we couldn’t get the win.

Yet, the Blueshirts were also able to convert, going 2-5 on the man advantage. Sean Avery scored after screening Marty Brodeur on the 5-3 early in the second. Standing in front of the Devils netminder, Avery used his stick to block Brodeur’s vision. Although not illegal, the Devils complained about it.

“I was trying to look around him and it was almost impossible because the stick was so close to my face,” Brodeur, who saved 27, said. “I’ve played for 15 years and have been watching hockey for 34 years and never seen anything like that. But if it’s within the rules, it’s not a bad play.”

“I did have a conversation with the official about it,” said Devils coach Brent Sutter. “He told me the next time it happens it will be a penalty. I was told after he scored so I am not very comfortable with it.”

Brandon Dubinsky also made life uncomfortable for New Jersey scoring two goals, including one on the power play early in the third to tie it at three.

For the rest of the period, the Rangers tried to pull ahead, but couldn’t.

The Devils though were able to take the early lead, around the three minute mark of the first when Sergei Brylin knocked the puck in off his skate. The play was reviewed, but was determined it was not kicked in and looked like it tipped Fedor Tyutin’s stick.

But that’s the way the puck seemed to bounce for the Ranger in Game 3.

“We understood that they would come out hard,” said Dubinsky. “They came out and really put it in on the second period. We came out and had a great third period. We could have scored a couple of more goals in that period.

“We just have to move on, that what we can positively and focus on Game 4.”

Notes: Avery now has three goals and one assist in the playoffs….Dubinsky was 17 of 27 on faceoffs.

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