Devils Take Two from Tampa

(Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
Going into tonight’s match-up with the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Devils knew anything less then getting the full two points would be a major blow to their playoff hopes.

With Carolina winning their game over Pittsburgh last night, the Devils fell back behind by 11 points from playoff contention. Even with two games in hand, failing on chances to gain ground on idle opponents would be devastating.

During the first period, you could tell the Devils were playing a little tighter than they usually would be on home ice. Their defense was very solid and prevented any significantly threatening scoring chances from the opposition, but their offense was just as hesitant to try and take the zone as they were during their Friday night loss in Tampa.

The second period saw a bad bounce which earlier in the season would have crippled this team. Pavel Kubina took a shot from a top the left circle which deflected off of the skate of Dominic Moore and into the back of the Devils’ net. The power play goal gave the Lightning a much needed go-ahead goal, but the game was far from over at this point.

Just before the end of the period, Ilya Kovalchuk danced with the puck deep in the Tampa zone and let go of a shot which created a scramble in front. As players battled for the loose puck, it kicked out to the right point to Henrik Tallinder, who faked two shots and fired a wrister through the chaos in front. The shot deflected off of the stick of Martin St. Louis and found it’s way behind Dwayne Roloson for the equalizer.

The teams played a much faster paced 3rd period, exchanging chance for chance for most of the first 10 minutes. Just past the midway mark, Travis Zajac’s shot on goal kicked into the corner off Roloson’s pad and was controlled by Matt Smaby. Smaby then tried to force a pass between Zajac and the boards, but was picked off by Zajac who quickly fed a streaking Kovalchuk with a crisp tape-to-tape pass. The pass handcuffed Kovalchuk a little, but he still was able to blast a one-timer past Rolson while falling for the Devils’ first lead of the night, and his 22nd of the season.

The Devils would not sit back and defend the lead as they produced numerous chances, including a beautiful wide open, one-timer look from Patrik Elias late in the period that Roloson was able to get just enough of to prevent a back-breaking goal.

Tampa’s best chance to equalize came during the final 5 seconds as St. Louis broke out with Steven Stamkos through the neutral zone, but Stamkos had gone offsides before St. Louis could make it to the blue line and fire a last-ditch effort on net.

With the win, the Devils again pulled to within 9 points of the Hurricanes. Carolina travels to Buffalo tomorrow night for a critical match-up with the Sabres, who if they win in overtime, will take over the 8th position in the Eastern Conference based upon wins.

Devils fans, at least for one night, should be pulling very hard for the Sabres to win in regulation. If the Sabres can grant the Devils’ fans wish, the gap will remain at 9 points.

NOTES: David Steckel, who played his first game with the Devils since being acquired from the Washington Capitals for Jason Arnott, had a solid game defensively. He lost his first five face offs, and ended the night just 4 for 12, far below his seasonal average of roughly 60%...Zach Parise, who has been recovering from a partially torn meniscus since October, was given the okay from doctors today to resume skating on his own. General Manager Lou Lamoriello said he’s at least 2-3 weeks away from skating hard and the team would then take it from there…Dainius Zubrus shook off a hit from behind from Simon Gagne just before the Kovalchuk goal. Gagne was not penalized on the play…Martin Brodeur made a great left arm save on Nate Thompson on a breakaway during the first period.

Devils Seek to Rebound

Two days after failing to keep pace with the teams above them, the New Jersey Devils seek to get back to their winning ways when they visit the Florida Panthers.

On Friday night, the Devils were beat at their own game, seeing their 8 game winning streak snapped by the Tampa Bay Lightning. With the loss, the Devils failed to earn two critical points which would allow them to keep their bleak playoff hopes alive.

Before the end of the game, further up the East Coast, the Carolina Hurricanes polished off a 4-1 victory over the Pittsburg Penguins and the New York Rangers embarrassed the Washington Capitals 6-0 in DC.

That left those scoreboard watching with a complete feeling of hopelessness as they knew how pivotal the 2 possible points were in this game. By the start of the 3rd period, the Devils were in a 2-0 hole, and the fans knew the results of the other games, but feared a possible devastating point-less effort.

When Mark Fayne’s 4th goal of the season had somehow found the back of the net, fans began to hope that if they couldn’t get the two, maybe they would be able to steal A point from the Lightning on home ice.

Unfortunately, recent history was not on their side. Prior to this matchup, the Devils had won 12 of their past 13 games against the Lightning, with the only loss came on the memorable 3-1 defeat last season which had to be played over the course of two nights as the Prudential Center had lost power during the second period of that matchup.

Tonight, as Devils fans head to bed, they can rest and breath a little easier as fate dealt them a favorable hand in their quest for the playoffs.

The Hurricanes could not ride the wave of success they had against Pittsburg the night before into Montreal. While their offense had the right paperwork to get across the border, apparently the defense did not as they surrendered two first period goals en route to a 4-3 loss to the Canadiens.

In Buffalo, the Sabres hosted the Red Wings and while the Sabres did secure a loser point, they failed to gain the extra point of ground on the 8th seeded Hurricanes, losing 3-2 in the shootout to Detroit.

Toronto also failed to gain the extra point on Carolina as they too fell in the shootout to Pittsburgh, 6-5. The Penguin offense rebounded in staggering fashion, but their defense also failed to make it into Canada.

Should the Devils pull out a victory tomorrow versus the Panthers, they’ll be 1 point back of Florida, 4 back of the Maple Leafs, 5 behind the struggling Thrashers, 7 behind the Sabres and returning to 9 points back of the Hurricanes. All of those scenarios, of course, are dependant upon all games falling in the Devils’ favor, including the Thrashers knocking off the Maple Leafs in regulation.

Sunday will also mark the first game back from Martin Brodeur after sitting the past 8 games with a knee injury suffered in the Devils’ Super Bowl Sunday victory in Montreal.

Ilya Kovalchuk also seeks to extend his career high 12 game point streak. Over the course of the 12 games, Kovalchuk has 7 goals and 7 assists.

Lastly, Sunday could, and quite possibly, will be the end of Jason Arnott’s second stint with the Devils. With the Trade Deadline looming Monday afternoon at 3, and his desire to be part of a team in the playoffs for a chance at a Stanley Cup, it is safe to assume Arnott will not only waive his No Trade Clause, but also request to be traded. Lou Lamoriello has not commented on the situation but it is safe to assume, he would try to accommodate the aging center.

Game time for Sunday’s tilt is at 5 pm.

Turning the Corner(?)

Is for real, or is it just a tease of what could, and all honestly should, have been?

Have the New Jersey Devils finally turned the proverbial corner or are they simply exploiting midseason lulls by 5 different teams?

5-0-1 over their past six games have put the Devils in position to pull themselves out of last place, or at least have some company should they win their 4th game in a row this afternoon when they face the Florida Panthers.

Florida, who just last week, thwarted the Devils' chance to notch their first three game winning streak in over a calendar year, comes into NJ following a Friday night loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

With a win today, as already stated, the Devils will pull the Edmonton Oilers into a tie for last in the NHL, if only for a few hours. The Oilers take to the ice tonight at 8 pm and with a win or an overtime loss of their own, would avoid falling back to the basement where they t have in recent seasons staked a VIP seat. From there, the Islanders are the next threat to join the bottom feeder party as their glimmers of hope from December have been torn apart just like the always questionable health of poster child for the IR list, goaltender Rick DiPietro.

Just over 2 weeks ago, the Devils did what they've done only a few times this season, score more than two goals in a game. Not only did they notch 5 goals, but they pulled out a second multi-goal night just a few days later against the same lightning they dominated that Monday. Bookended week victories (Monday and Friday) gave fans a familiar glimmer of hope.

Could this FINALLY be the time they turn it around? Could they finally string together a winning streak, or would this be just like the few other times this season (or the year for that matter) when they put together back to back wins only to squander it the next game in embarrassing fashion.

Let’s see which Devils show up tonight, the new and improved one’s who have been showing a ton of energy and heart, or the one’s just have been all over the map, defying all logic.

Game 8: Drew to the Rescue, Myers Seals It

With just over a minute to go, Lindy Ruff pulled keeper Ryan Miller for the extra skater but didn’t use his time out.

From my seat on the couch, it looked to me like Tampa was reeling. To Harry Neal and Rick Jeanneret, he was making the wrong call. To my conscious, I hoped it was over so my friend could come over, but I knew better and told my roommate Andy, "They're gonna tie it. Book it." His response, "no way, they're too sloppy."

Just over 40 seconds later, Drew Stafford proved me wrong, scoring from an almost impossible angle. Thus causing Tampa goalie Mike Smith to destroy his water bottle lumberjack style with his goaltender stick.

5 minutes of overtime passed with the Sabres dominating the first half, Tampa getting the better of the latter stages.

In the shootout, the goaltenders were infallible, well at least one was throughout its entirety.

7 rounds into the shootout, after Martin St. Louis had failed on his shot, the Sabres called upon 19 year old defenseman Tyler Myers to try his luck against Mike Smith.

He came in quick from the right side, deked a little, then slammed on the breaks and shifted right, with Smith sprawled trying to protect the left side of the net, Myers pulled his stick back and wrapped it around the keeper, tripping as he placed the biscuit in the back of the net for the winner.

Harry Neal exclaimed, “Any doubts that this kid would stay with the big club are gone! He's staying for sure!" as the Sabres rushed to encircle and congratulate the rookie for his winner.

Rick Jeanneret added, “They need to jump to hit him on the head. That’s why they tackled him. He's too tall to pat on the head!"

At this point, the Sabres would be making a major franchise mistake and an even bigger disservice to the kid if they sent him down. It would be along the same lines as the "Joba Rules" enforced by baseball's New York Yankees.

Myers, even in his worst game, looked no worse than most NHL regulars.

He has without question earned his spot on the Sabres top 6 and should be treated as such.

Lookout out Tavares, you have MAJOR competition for the Calder.

On Wednesday night, the entire Devils’ fan base will see what I'm talking about.

Game 3: FINALLY!

Finally, a break that went our way. Finally, a last minute flurry that results in a positive for our squad. Finally, Travis Zajac hits the net when in close. Finally, the Devils get a win.

With just under 15 seconds to go in the period, the Devils looked dead to rights. They couldn't control the puck in the Lightning zone. They couldn't get the puck free, and set up their offense. Then something happened.

Andy Greene baseball swings a bouncing puck out of mid-air. The puck flips through the slot, towards the feet of Travis Zajac. Zajac settles it as best as he could with his skate, took a slight step back, and ripped the puck as quickly as he could.

The puck flew past Tampa goalie Mike Smith, and the final horn sounded.

The Devils celebrated as if they had just won a playoff series.

The crowd booed and then cheered when they saw the replay, many mis-reading the time remaining on the clock in the lower left of the screen. I know i even was sitting on pins and needles waiting for MSG+ to show the overheard replay with the clock.

Then it came, starting with 1.4 seconds, you see Smith on the left side of his crease, then sliding to his right.

1.2 seconds remain when the puck enters the frame.

1.1 and its on the goal line.

1.0 and its in the back of the net and the Devils clinch at least their first point of the season.

They took their momentum right over the 5 minute break between regulation and overtime and came out firing. They had a handful of chances early on, including a Mike Mottau shot which found its way through a crowd in front, and had Smith not kept control over the rebound, could very well have been Zach Parise's second of the night and a game winning goal.

Tampa Bay had its fair share of chances late in the period as well. Including a beauty of a shot from the right circle, and the only thing preventing a game winning goal by the Bolts was great positioning by Andy Greene in support of Broduer who was diving and losing his mask on the play.

Parise had a wide open, top part of the net while Smith was on his side, only to have the Smith made an incredible save.

In the shootout, Parise deked Smith out of his pads and beat the sprawling keeper low, blocker side after Stamkos, who already had 2 goals on the night, hit the crossbar.

Tanguay followed Parise with a nifty deke of his own, and had he not gone for the extra move at the end of it, would have had his second. The puck instead drifted harmlessly to Marty's glove side.

Langenbrunner saw Parise's move, took notes, and did a similar deke to beat Smith for the Devils' second shootout goal, clinching their first victory of the season.

Game Puck goes to.......Andy Greene, for setting up the game tieing goal with excellent hand eye corrdination, blocking the shot to preserve the OT period. As user Nasty_Magician said, "If he plays like that every night, he's one of the best defenders on the team." I said it was necessary for him to be in the lineup, especially after how horrendous the 2nd power play unit had been, his shot and vision on that line was necessary on its own.


Devils 3 (2) - Lightning 3 (0) F/SO

1-2-0, 2 points

Time to build some momentum... See you Saturday.

Rangers are 1 of 4 teams in on Scuderi

Former Pittsburgh Defenseman Rob Scuderi is being coveted by four teams, including the New York Rangers, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune.

This would be the first major move following the trading, or salary dumping, of Scott Gomez to the Canadiens. Provided the deal is not similiar to the Wade Redden move of last summer, this would be a great addition for the Blueshirts.

Their top priority right now should be acquiring a 20-30 goal scorer, but suring up their backline will also help. The team has 3 significant Restricted Free Agents in Brandon Dubinsky, Ryan Callahan and Nikoli Zherdev, but other the Rangers would have ample time to decide whether or not to match any other offers from other clubs.

Scuderi put himself on the map with an outstanding performance this season, and an even better playoffs, where he was a critical component on the Penguins blue line, along with Sergi Gonchar.

The Wild and Stars are the two other confirmed teams, with the Lightning believe to be the 4th.

Prediction: As much as I could see the Rangers being Scuderi's new home, if the rumors of Tampa being in on the sweepstakes are true, I see him going there. They are again, stopping at nothing to get as much defense as they can, but they continue to forget you need to put pucks in the net to win, and Vinny Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis, Ryan Malone and Steve Stamkos cannot do it alone.

Ohlund To Bolts

as per NHL network.

7 years, $3.75 million cap hit

Great move by the Lightning as they now have a proven mentor for 2nd overall pick Victor Hedman

--broke before eklund--

Melrose to Coach Again

It is been widely speculated that former Los Angeles Kings coach Barry Melrose would like to return to coaching. He even stated on ESPN's Pardon the Interruption that he misses coaching. It appears that on Tuesday, he will get his chance.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have interest in Melrose and an announcement could come as early as Tuesday afternoon.

This will come as a relief to many NHL fans around the league who must rely upon ESPN to be their source of hockey information. 'The Curse of the Mullet' will be put to rest for at least one season. The Curse is based uppon Melrose's annual playoff predictions. If he selects your team, then you are more than likely not to win the championship. It happened to the San Jose Sharks this past season, the Buffalo Sabres last season, so on and so forth.

On a more serious note, it is nice to see Melrose getting another shot at the NHL level. In his first year of coaching, Melrose, with the help of Wayne Gretzky, led the Kings to a 39 win seasona and a Stanley Cup finals run where they would fall to the Montreal Canadiens, who were lead by future Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy. Roy secured his second Conn Smythe trophy as his Canadiens defeated the Kings in 5 games.

Melrose lost his job after back to back non-playoff seasons that immediately followed the finals run in 1992-93. He then began a career in television by joining ESPN in 1996 where he has worked as color commentary on hockey games prior to the 2004-05 lockout, and has been an analyst since the lockout.

Good Luck, Mullet!