But they all seemed to know that there are now only 4 points separating the two teams - "the closest for a long time," noted Ken Daneyko, the veteran and reliable defenseman.

Randy Velischek, the reliable defenseman, has recovered from the sprained left knee and is ready to play.

If Niedermayer cannot play, the Devils (26-22-9-3) lose their most reliable and productive defenseman.

Don Sweeney, the usually reliable defenseman of the Bruins, was the guilty party on the third goal for the Islanders.

He started slowly, but by midseason was the Islanders' most reliable defenseman.

Hardy, the sturdy, reliable defenseman, left with a sprained right ankle and was feared to be more severely hurt.

"We're not playing smart hockey right now," said Ken Daneyko, the reliable defenseman of the Devils.

"We talked in our meetings about how we had to come out strong because they're so tough to catch," said Ken Daneyko, the rugged and reliable defenseman of the Devils.

If nothing else, the playoffs have highlighted the Rangers' most obvious problems: They do not take enough shots, they sometimes commit too many penalties and they could use another reliable defenseman.

"We gave them too many chances," said Lyle Odelein, the reliable defenseman.