"Definitely, we played much better in those games," said the Ranger defenseman.

That left four Ranger defenseman to cover a bulk of the action.

And the Ranger defenseman was especially relieved to know that his brother had gotten home.

"His reach is like from board to board," the Ranger defenseman said.

It is the Ranger defenseman's way to deal with a playoff tension that has grown for weeks.

Beukeboom, who didn't play much after that, wasn't the only Ranger defenseman to have difficult moments.

"He is an exciting player," said the Ranger defenseman.

Beck, a former Rangers defenseman who has not played since March 1986, is trying to make a comeback from shoulder problems.

The Ranger defenseman's shot beat Liut to his stick side.

David Shaw, a Ranger defenseman, left the game with a bruised hip.