Del Zotto's Personal Struggles Manifest in Game 4: Michael Del Zotto struggled in the opening period of Game 4 against the Devils on Monday, to only play 4:11 in the second and third period, Arthur Staple of the Newsday Isles reports. (Updated 05/22/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/27/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Michael Del Zotto entered Game 4 ranked second in points among NHL defensemen. After missing hits, shots and making bad passes, Del Zotto sat the majority of the rest of the game. This drop in production may be due to news of the young defenseman's grandmother passing away after Game 3, Saturday. All things considered, he did manage to still contribute an assist late in the third. (Updated 05/22/2012).
05/23/2012 22:48 Devils escape collapse after 3-0 lead, prevail in Game 5 against Rangers
Ryan Carter snapped a tie with 4:24 left, and the New Jersey Devils posted a 5-3 victory over the New York Rangers after blowing a three-goal lead in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals on Wednesday.
05/14/2012 22:50 Rangers surge in third period, shut out Devils in Game 1
Rangers rookie Chris Kreider and defenseman Dan Girardi both had a goal and an assist in the third period, and Henrik Lundqvist stopped 21 shots for his fifth career playoff shutout, as weary New York opened the Eastern Conference finals with a 3-0 victory over the well-rested New Jersey Devils on Monday night.
05/12/2012 22:12 Rangers hold on, advance to Eastern Conference Final
Brad Richards and Michael Del Zotto provided the offense as Henrik Lundqvist backstopped another Rangers win, pushing them into the Eastern Conference Final.
05/10/2012 12:12 The top 5 players still playing in NHL playoffs
We're half way to crowning a Stanley Cup Champion, and there a handful of players that are starting to emerge when it comes to the Conn Smythe discussion.
In a season that saw plenty of young Ranger players taking good steps forward in their deveolpment, Del Zotto was one of the few to actually regress. After an impressive 37-point rookie campaign, Del Zotto had problems with his breakout passes and getting shots to the net last year. This led to his demotion halfway through the season, and he ended the year with a broken finger and sports hernia. Fortunately, Del Zotto said and did all the right things since his demotion, so the Rangers still have high hopes for him. The 21-year-old could be a late-round sleeper pick as he has power-play quarterback written all over him, just don't expect miracles. (Updated 10/4/11)
