Just a few things that caught my eye ...

• John Tortorella must feel like he's stuck in his own personal Groundhog Day -- how many horrific first periods can one team have? Five shots, three goals? That praying thing didn't seem to work.

• The Devils weren't as good as their start. And the Rangers (the team) weren't nearly as bad as theirs. But close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. The Blueshirts had better stop playing with the latter.

• Sometimes success can be intoxicating. Dan Girardi sure learned a powerful lesson about leaving his lane to try to make a big hit.

• Who says a little man can't wield a big stick? Stephen Gionta was downright Martin St. Louis tonight.

• Don't the Devils know they're not supposed to tug on Superman's cape? They're not supposed to spit into the wind, either. But they did both. And they won.

• What exactly was Brad Richards thinking? Thank gawd Henrik Lundqvist had found his game at that point -- an own goal like that would have moved him ahead of Steve Smith of the 1986 Oilers on the ugly list ...

• Bill Murray's Phil Connors spent about 10 years trapped in his personal Hades, but he became a better man. Is there any chance Torts ever has a similar epiphany? If he does, it sure won't come in a post-game presser.

• I've said it before, but it's work saying again. Does Martin Brodeur go out on top?