In a game they badly needed to win, the New Jersey Devils outplayed the New York Rangers right from the beginning. The Devils jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first period of Game 4 of the NHL Eastern Conference Finals, ending up with a 4-1 victory that knotted the best-of-seven series at 2-2.

Devils coach Peter DeBoer thought that quick start was the key for his team.

"Our guys responded with a big effort. I thought right from the drop of the puck, we executed our game plan and played on our toes," DeBoer said. "I thought we put some pressure on early, and it looked like it was going to be more of the same from the night before. We had some quality chances early. Couldn't get one by him. But obviously the first one was a big one. Kind of lifted a weight off us, and I thought we played a little bit looser and a little bit freer from then on."

See the video below for DeBoer's press conference, and see ASAP Sports for the full transcript.

-- See In Lou We Trust for more on the Devils, and Blueshirt Banter for more on the Rangers