For most of the third period, the Buffalo Sabres went into a defensive shell to preserve their 2-1 lead. Whether by choice, or just by an rejuvenated Maple Leafs attack, the Sabres spent most of the final 20 minutes of regulation in their zone.
After Tim Connolly netted his third of the season on a breakout pass from Jason Pominville, the Sabres looked as if they had found a major weakspot in Toronto’s game plan but failed to exploit it.
Buffalo took a total of 3 penalties following Connolly’s goal and the late equalizer. But they were able to withstand all three chances without faltering
It wasn’t until Toronto had taken their own penalty, and pulled their goaltender, were they able to break through Ryan Miller again. And it took a controversial tip to do it.
Mikhail Grabovski tipped a Tomas Kaberle shot between the legs of Miller for a shorthanded marker. The Sabres, however, objected to the goal because Grabovski’s stick could have been over the crossbar when it connected with Kaberle’s shot. The major problem with the reviews was that not one replay angle provided a clear view of both the stick and the crossbar and therefore, it was upheld.
The Sabres, however, would get the last laugh.
Just over the minute into the overtime period, Tim Connolly controlled the puck at the high point and ripped a shot through a crowd of players in front of Jonas Gustavsson, and found the back of the net. His second of the game and fourth of season.
Note: Ryan Miller remains undefeated in regulation, posting an 8-0-1 record.
Sabres 3 – Leafs 2 F/OT
8-1-1, 17 points
Next up: Halloween night @ the Islanders, 7 pm
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Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Game 11: Giving a Devil His Due
Last season, Dainius Zubrus’ contract looked like a major mistake and a $3.4 million eyesore on towards the Devils’ salary cap space.15 goals and 25 assists hardly made the salary seem worth it, let alone the length of the deal.
Tonight, Zubrus continued on his quest to silence his critics, this time doing it on his offensive side. With under 2 minutes to go, Zubrus crashed the net on an aggressive forecheck while Zach Parise took a slap shot from the high point. Bruins’ goaltender Tim Thomas got most of the initial shot, but not all of it as the puck squeaked through his pads and settled on the ice behind him, 3 feet from the goal.
Zubrus saw the loose puck and pounced on it without hesitation, as he pushed the puck into the net for the go ahead goal, falling as he began to celebrate.
The Devils never looked back from that point, and held on for the 2-1 victory.
Moments prior to Zubrus’ goal, Devils’ goaltender Yann Danis withstood an onslaught of Bruin shots as Boston pushed for the leading tally. Danis made some fine saves during the rush, but also received a bit of luck as a Bruin shot went over his left shoulder, but bounced harmlessly off the crossbar.
David Clarkson put the Devils ahead early on with his third goal of the season. Clarkson joined a 2 on 1 rush with Niclas Bergfors as the Devils again caught Boston in the attacking zone. Bergfors’ shot was aimed at Thomas’ 5-hole, and as was the case with the game winning goal, Thomas only got a piece of the shot as Clarkson cleaned up the rebound on his way to a jumping celebration against the glass behind the net.
The major black eye to come from this game was the injury sustained by defenseman Johnny Oduya who left the game in the 2nd period with a lower body injury and did not return. While Oduya’s play early on this season has been marred by inconsistency, his loss would be detrimental to an already injury plagued defensive corps.
With Paul Martin our for 4 to 6 weeks, the Devils cannot stand to lose Oduya. If they do for an extended period of time, there is almost no question they will need to go out and find a defenseman who can help lead the team in Martin and Oduya’s absence.
While some will argue they will be able use the current players to fill the void, the shortcomings of the remaining defenseman are abundant.
Colin White, regardless of his current alternate title, has been ineffective for almost the entire season, save for about 5 minutes of solid playing, including two diving poke checks to preserve wins and eliminate scoring chances for the opposition.
Bryce Salvador cannot keep himself out of the penalty box, and besides Oduya, I do not think that anyone else on the team has taken as many lazy penalties as number 24.
Mike Mottau, a former Hoby Baker Award winner, just doesn’t strike me as the type of player who can pick up the defense on his back.
Andy Greene has played phenomenally thus far, but I think the added pressure of being the go to guy on defense will hurt his psyche and possibly kill his current hot streak.
Lastly, Mark Fraser is a rookie, and has only 3 games this season under his belt. To think he alone could pick up the slack is just ridiculous.
Sure, you can say that if the Devils loose Oduya, everyone else can step up and pick up a little piece of the slack, but I think there is far too much slack left to be shouldered by the remaining 6 defenders.
If the Devils loose Oduya, and another proven veteran is not brought in for assistance, the Devils could be in for a long couple of weeks.
7-4-0, 14 points
Next up: Saturday vs. Tampa Bay, 3pm
Tonight, Zubrus continued on his quest to silence his critics, this time doing it on his offensive side. With under 2 minutes to go, Zubrus crashed the net on an aggressive forecheck while Zach Parise took a slap shot from the high point. Bruins’ goaltender Tim Thomas got most of the initial shot, but not all of it as the puck squeaked through his pads and settled on the ice behind him, 3 feet from the goal.
Zubrus saw the loose puck and pounced on it without hesitation, as he pushed the puck into the net for the go ahead goal, falling as he began to celebrate.
The Devils never looked back from that point, and held on for the 2-1 victory.
Moments prior to Zubrus’ goal, Devils’ goaltender Yann Danis withstood an onslaught of Bruin shots as Boston pushed for the leading tally. Danis made some fine saves during the rush, but also received a bit of luck as a Bruin shot went over his left shoulder, but bounced harmlessly off the crossbar.
David Clarkson put the Devils ahead early on with his third goal of the season. Clarkson joined a 2 on 1 rush with Niclas Bergfors as the Devils again caught Boston in the attacking zone. Bergfors’ shot was aimed at Thomas’ 5-hole, and as was the case with the game winning goal, Thomas only got a piece of the shot as Clarkson cleaned up the rebound on his way to a jumping celebration against the glass behind the net.
The major black eye to come from this game was the injury sustained by defenseman Johnny Oduya who left the game in the 2nd period with a lower body injury and did not return. While Oduya’s play early on this season has been marred by inconsistency, his loss would be detrimental to an already injury plagued defensive corps.
With Paul Martin our for 4 to 6 weeks, the Devils cannot stand to lose Oduya. If they do for an extended period of time, there is almost no question they will need to go out and find a defenseman who can help lead the team in Martin and Oduya’s absence.
While some will argue they will be able use the current players to fill the void, the shortcomings of the remaining defenseman are abundant.
Colin White, regardless of his current alternate title, has been ineffective for almost the entire season, save for about 5 minutes of solid playing, including two diving poke checks to preserve wins and eliminate scoring chances for the opposition.
Bryce Salvador cannot keep himself out of the penalty box, and besides Oduya, I do not think that anyone else on the team has taken as many lazy penalties as number 24.
Mike Mottau, a former Hoby Baker Award winner, just doesn’t strike me as the type of player who can pick up the defense on his back.
Andy Greene has played phenomenally thus far, but I think the added pressure of being the go to guy on defense will hurt his psyche and possibly kill his current hot streak.
Lastly, Mark Fraser is a rookie, and has only 3 games this season under his belt. To think he alone could pick up the slack is just ridiculous.
Sure, you can say that if the Devils loose Oduya, everyone else can step up and pick up a little piece of the slack, but I think there is far too much slack left to be shouldered by the remaining 6 defenders.
If the Devils loose Oduya, and another proven veteran is not brought in for assistance, the Devils could be in for a long couple of weeks.
7-4-0, 14 points
Next up: Saturday vs. Tampa Bay, 3pm
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Game 10: Power Outage
I normally would focus a day after article on the completely listless performance the Devils put together the previous night, but something else became ever more so aggravating then their 'don't give a darn' attitude.
For the entire season, albeit 10 games to this point, one aspect of the Devils' system has been completely detrimental to their success.
It hasn’t been the spit and glue defensive corps, which lost their best player in last night’s game. It isn’t their offensive corps, which cannot seem to consistent behind the top 4 offensive players, and maybe Clarkson. And it certainly has not been their goaltending, even while Marty has had moments of inconsistency he still has kept them in nearly every game.
Have you figured it out yet? It’s the power play.
The system which Lemaire has in place is horrendous. I made a comment to both my roommate Andy and a Sabres-friend Matt saying, “It is the only freaking defensive power play in the league. It’s like they try to kill off their own man-advantage. Yeah why bother getting a solid shot on net, let’s just pass the puck back and forth like there’s an infinite amount of time to develop a play.”
Yes, they score a power play goal now in back to back games, the one tonight was a fluke bounce which Andy Greene snuck under the crossbar with Ryan Miller out of position.
Even when they got their 5 on 3, I was not alone in the apartment exclaiming disgust. Not because they were down 3, because any team can come back from that deficit, even under 2 minutes, it is mathematically possible. It was because, I knew with almost absolute certainty they would not convert, and probably give up a solid shorthanded chance for the Sabres.
And they did not disappoint, making my prophecy come to life.
It has gotten to the point where I’m almost begging the NHL to establish a policy similar to the NFL, where the team who draws the penalty has the option to accept or decline. At this point, it is almost more advantageous to remain on the 5 on 5, or maybe even creating an infraction of their own, cause last night, and in numerous games already, the Devils have generated more chances while on the penalty kill than with the man advantage of their own.
One last point, they came out flatter than road kill on the Jersey Turnpike and the Sabres took full advantage of it, scoring under 90 seconds into the competition and never took their foot off the accelerator.
Well, hopefully they can rebound tonight in Boston.
Oh, and for the love of god let Yan Danis start.
Sabres 4 – Devils 1
Devils: 6-4-0, 12 points
Next up: Thursday @ Bruins, 7
Sabres: 7-1-1, 15 points
Next up: Friday vs. Toronto, 730
For the entire season, albeit 10 games to this point, one aspect of the Devils' system has been completely detrimental to their success.
It hasn’t been the spit and glue defensive corps, which lost their best player in last night’s game. It isn’t their offensive corps, which cannot seem to consistent behind the top 4 offensive players, and maybe Clarkson. And it certainly has not been their goaltending, even while Marty has had moments of inconsistency he still has kept them in nearly every game.
Have you figured it out yet? It’s the power play.
The system which Lemaire has in place is horrendous. I made a comment to both my roommate Andy and a Sabres-friend Matt saying, “It is the only freaking defensive power play in the league. It’s like they try to kill off their own man-advantage. Yeah why bother getting a solid shot on net, let’s just pass the puck back and forth like there’s an infinite amount of time to develop a play.”
Yes, they score a power play goal now in back to back games, the one tonight was a fluke bounce which Andy Greene snuck under the crossbar with Ryan Miller out of position.
Even when they got their 5 on 3, I was not alone in the apartment exclaiming disgust. Not because they were down 3, because any team can come back from that deficit, even under 2 minutes, it is mathematically possible. It was because, I knew with almost absolute certainty they would not convert, and probably give up a solid shorthanded chance for the Sabres.
And they did not disappoint, making my prophecy come to life.
It has gotten to the point where I’m almost begging the NHL to establish a policy similar to the NFL, where the team who draws the penalty has the option to accept or decline. At this point, it is almost more advantageous to remain on the 5 on 5, or maybe even creating an infraction of their own, cause last night, and in numerous games already, the Devils have generated more chances while on the penalty kill than with the man advantage of their own.
One last point, they came out flatter than road kill on the Jersey Turnpike and the Sabres took full advantage of it, scoring under 90 seconds into the competition and never took their foot off the accelerator.
Well, hopefully they can rebound tonight in Boston.
Oh, and for the love of god let Yan Danis start.
Sabres 4 – Devils 1
Devils: 6-4-0, 12 points
Next up: Thursday @ Bruins, 7
Sabres: 7-1-1, 15 points
Next up: Friday vs. Toronto, 730
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Game 9: Devils vs. Penguins
Just over a week ago, the Devils went into Madison Square Garden to take on the 7-1 Rangers who were riding a 7 game winning streak.
When they left, the only streak that remained intact was their own winning streak away from the friendly confines of the Prudential Center.
Saturday night felt like déjà vu as they took the ice against the Penguins who were also on a bit of a roll, winners of eight straight, while the Devils' own streak was still progressing.
Unlike the game at MSG, though, the Devils left little room for doubt as to who's streak would roll on.
A fluky first period goal by Mark Fraser, the first of his career, set the tone early as the Devils rolled to a 4-1 victory.
Riding the momentum of some stellar saves by Brodeur, the Devils forced the play deep into the Penguins zone. Zubrus drew players to him before passing the puck behind the net to Bergfors, who made a quick feed to Fraser who got off an awkward one timer, the puck hit goalkeeper Marc Andre Fleury’s stick and popped up over his head. Fortunately for the Devils, as he went to catch it, the puck hit the heel of his trapper and went into the net.
Brodeur continued to mystify the Penguins offense in the 2nd with save after save including one from his backside while on the penalty kill.
On the flipside of the ice, Fleury’s luck continued to elude him. While on the power play, the Devils’ second unit broke through and finally got a marker. Bergfors took a quick shot through traffic which Fleury stopped, and he got most of the rebound chance from Rod Pelly but not all of it as the puck sneaked through his legs, towards the far side post. Bergfors, who followed his shot with a wrap around attack, saw the rebound and pushed it with Fleury’s glove into the net for the 2-0 lead.
Brooks Orpik’s aggression cost Pittsburgh a goal as he threw David Clarkson on top of MAF, Zajac had picked up Parise’s rebound and went top shelf over the dog pile in front.
Alex Goligoski, who was beyond sanctified by Pittsburgh’s announcers for one “hustle” play that turned into their highlight of the year, broke Brodeur’s bid for his record tying shutout almost midway through the 3rd.
Parise put the final nail in the coffin with a beautiful stick handling move in front of the net where he found himself wide open and skated around Fleury for the goal.
The road doesn’t get any easier as next up for the Devils are the Buffalo Sabres, and its at the Prudential Center, where the Devils have been surprisingly inconsistent to start the year.
6-3-0, 12 points
Next up: vs. Buffalo, 7 pm
When they left, the only streak that remained intact was their own winning streak away from the friendly confines of the Prudential Center.
Saturday night felt like déjà vu as they took the ice against the Penguins who were also on a bit of a roll, winners of eight straight, while the Devils' own streak was still progressing.
Unlike the game at MSG, though, the Devils left little room for doubt as to who's streak would roll on.
A fluky first period goal by Mark Fraser, the first of his career, set the tone early as the Devils rolled to a 4-1 victory.
Riding the momentum of some stellar saves by Brodeur, the Devils forced the play deep into the Penguins zone. Zubrus drew players to him before passing the puck behind the net to Bergfors, who made a quick feed to Fraser who got off an awkward one timer, the puck hit goalkeeper Marc Andre Fleury’s stick and popped up over his head. Fortunately for the Devils, as he went to catch it, the puck hit the heel of his trapper and went into the net.
Brodeur continued to mystify the Penguins offense in the 2nd with save after save including one from his backside while on the penalty kill.
On the flipside of the ice, Fleury’s luck continued to elude him. While on the power play, the Devils’ second unit broke through and finally got a marker. Bergfors took a quick shot through traffic which Fleury stopped, and he got most of the rebound chance from Rod Pelly but not all of it as the puck sneaked through his legs, towards the far side post. Bergfors, who followed his shot with a wrap around attack, saw the rebound and pushed it with Fleury’s glove into the net for the 2-0 lead.
Brooks Orpik’s aggression cost Pittsburgh a goal as he threw David Clarkson on top of MAF, Zajac had picked up Parise’s rebound and went top shelf over the dog pile in front.
Alex Goligoski, who was beyond sanctified by Pittsburgh’s announcers for one “hustle” play that turned into their highlight of the year, broke Brodeur’s bid for his record tying shutout almost midway through the 3rd.
Parise put the final nail in the coffin with a beautiful stick handling move in front of the net where he found himself wide open and skated around Fleury for the goal.
The road doesn’t get any easier as next up for the Devils are the Buffalo Sabres, and its at the Prudential Center, where the Devils have been surprisingly inconsistent to start the year.
6-3-0, 12 points
Next up: vs. Buffalo, 7 pm
Sunday, October 25, 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Post Game 8: Road Warriors Continue to Roll
1.) Solid effort by Marty, great saves, great positioning.
2.) a pretty good defensive effort. great back-checking but poor positioning leading to breakaways and needed efforts for diving back checks.
3.) while he made one solid play on the back check, White's admiration of the Zubrus shot lead to the Kotalik goal. His dogging it back almost allowed Callahan get a great chance on marty after Oduya tried to jump the route but White never backed him up.
4.) Zubrus FINALLY got rewarded for all of his hard work. His hustle directly created his own goal. Great tip by him, and another stellar effort.
5.) Nice to see Bergfors getting on the scoring sheet for his first of the season. hopefully the weights have been lifted.
6.) my biggest gripe about the night, we didnt put out a full 60 of effort. that 2nd period was awful, i almost felt like Zach's 2nd intermission interview was apologetic for the effort.
7.) the powerplay, all 1 of them that we were given, was atrocious. But that's not news, nor shocking.
Go Devils!
2.) a pretty good defensive effort. great back-checking but poor positioning leading to breakaways and needed efforts for diving back checks.
3.) while he made one solid play on the back check, White's admiration of the Zubrus shot lead to the Kotalik goal. His dogging it back almost allowed Callahan get a great chance on marty after Oduya tried to jump the route but White never backed him up.
4.) Zubrus FINALLY got rewarded for all of his hard work. His hustle directly created his own goal. Great tip by him, and another stellar effort.
5.) Nice to see Bergfors getting on the scoring sheet for his first of the season. hopefully the weights have been lifted.
6.) my biggest gripe about the night, we didnt put out a full 60 of effort. that 2nd period was awful, i almost felt like Zach's 2nd intermission interview was apologetic for the effort.
7.) the powerplay, all 1 of them that we were given, was atrocious. But that's not news, nor shocking.
Go Devils!
Game 8: Devils @ Rangers, Live Blog
Here we go again, back on the couches, with Andy watching as well, the live blog has returned. Enjoy!
Game on!
20:00 - Peters is announced as a scratch, and already we have a "good" in unison.
19:26 - Andy notes the empty seats, I attribute the vacancies to the potentially pennant clinching game tonight for the Yankees.
17:35 - My old roommate texts me a picture of his seats behind the Devils bench. I swear under my breath.
17:25 - Devils nearly gift wrap a goal for the Rangers following a shot from Gaborik. Martin fanned on the rebound-clearing attempt, luckily, Salvador was there to play the puck in the corner.
16:13 - Andy suggests the new Zajac-Clarkson-Bergfors line is like a parent trying to help two kids find their way.
15:22 - Parise narrowly misses a centering attempt from Neidermayer. If it connects, the game's 1-0 Devils, but it floats harmlessly into the corner.
14:34 - FIGHT - Wow, Avery actually dropped the gloves... Mottau vs. Avery. The fight lasts 1 minute 7 seconds, great punches by both players, both players got their right arms free from their jerseys. Crowd chants numerous times for Avery.
13:49 - GOAL - 1-0 Devils - Devils capture momentum from the fight. Martin from behind his net, feeds Neidermayer, who hits Langenbrunner at the center ice boards by the Boxes, who hits Parise at the blueline with a one-touch pass wide open on a breakway and beats Lundy for the 1-0 lead.
13:35 - Andy just realizes that this game is being played in MSG, I kid you not. "That explains why there were so many people chanting Avery, now I'm not as mad." I ask: "The ads on the glass behind the net didn't give it away, nor the GIANT Ranger logo at center ice?" He replies with something that I cannot type. Gotta love roommates.
13:29 - Rangers narrowly escape a 2-0 hole as Lundqvist stone Clarkson right in front after some nice passing and he finds himself wide open.
12:16 - PENALTY - Kotalik for hooking Rod Pelly
10:16 - Devils do not get a single shot off on the PP. Is anyone truely shocked?
8:25 - Oduya starting to get his season going. Two great blocks on Vinny Prospal to prevent a solid scoring chance for the Rangers.
7:54 - Doc announces that the Devils hold a 12-1 advantage in the face off circle.
6:00 - Pandolfo and Rolston break in on a 2 on 1, Pandolfo feeds Rolston wide open who shoots it right into the pads of Lundqvist.
4:50 - GOAL - 2-0 Devils. Bergfors! With a tip in from Clarkson. Just a beautiful goal over the shoulder of Lundqvist.
End of First - Devils hold a 2-0 lead at the break
Start of the 2nd
18:20 - PENALTY - Mottau called for a high stick
18:10 - GOAL - 2-1 Devils - Gaborik on the pp. Brodeur gets part of it, but not all of it. If this is reviewed for the scorer, Callahan might get it.
17:31 - Rolston is shooting more, and they're being registered as shots on goal, but they're right into the keeper.
17:30 - Cheeko says that 2 goals is a high total for the Devils... So much for that new offensive system Lemaire was bringing in, huh?
16:24 - Clarkson gets an open look from the glove side, but the puck rolls to the heel of his stick and moves harmlessly aside.
14:00 - Salvador bails Brodeur out of a horrendous pass, and struggles to get the bench. Looks to be a right leg injury, hopefully only a contusion, or at worst a charlie horse.
12:50-12:34 - Nice end to end action, 2 on 1 for the Devils fails after a good defensive play and a horrendous passing decision, leads to a 3 on 2 the other way when Brodeur makes a amazing skate save to preserve the lead, and on the other way Devils get another 2 on 1 which Lundqvist stops.
On the replay of the first Devils 2 on 1, we find out that it was Matt Hallischuk who had the puck and elected to try and force a centering pass to Rod Pelley. We [Andy and I] attribute it to inexperience and a lack of confidence. Hopefully that will come over time.
10:00 - There are too many odd-man rushes being allowed by both teams right now, moreso on the Devils part. There have been at least a half dozen by my count in this period alone.
9:56 - Neidermayer and Roszival go into the boards on a delayed icing against the Devils, they collide and somehow Neids emerges with a penalty. Hopefully the PK unit can survive more than the 7 seconds on the first of the period.
9:22 - Devils get a clear, they've survived 34 seconds already, but it hasn't been easy.
8:20 - Devils get their 3rd clear of the kill, this is looking more and more like they may actually kill this one.
7:56 - They prove me right but narrowly avoid surrendering the equalizer moments after the penalty ends.
7:25 - Salvador saves a great breakaway chance by diving and poke checking the puck away. Doc then chimes in with this gem, "Oh boy, that could prove to be vital, if we knew what the end result of the next 90 minutes has in store." I cannot help but burst out laughing at the randomness of Dr. Emerick.
5:35 - GOAL - 2-2 - Kotalik off to the races after Zubrus takes a nice shot from the point, and Redden takes the rebound and catches White and Mottau admiring the play, hitting Kotalik just ahead of the blue line, who beats Marty glove side. Nice job, Colin, continue to earn that undeserving $3 million a season.
I'm sorry, but White needs to at least sit a game. He has just been too much of a liability all season. We cut Cory Murphy for doing less. I'll take the blunder from a guy making under a million, but not the $3 million Stay Puft Marshmellow Man.
2:15 - Devils blow a chance for a 3 on 1 by having a man well offsides. The season long 2nd period woes continue.
1:25 - Rolston get's a nice look and fires at Lundqvist. Problem is, just as it has been all game and for the most part all season, he aims 5-hole and is, of course, denied. Hey Brian, ever think goalies are starting to figure out that all you do is look between the legs? How about you adjust, buddy?
0:40 - Devils take too long to develop a play behind the Rangers net, the Rangers backcheck and get over it.
Andy wonders why we don't go back to having 1 player who's speedy and 1 who's a stay at home for each defensive pair. I say we perfer to put all of our eggs into one basket.
Luckilly for us and the Devils, the 2nd period mercifully comes to an end.
If this team does not figure out that they need to stop going onto their heels during the 2nd, it will cost them, as it has already in the past.
Even Parise says in his intermission interview, "We need to be more aggressive like we were in the first. We didnt get pucks in deep and it hurt us." Does anyone on the coaching staff think to say anything during the period? Probably not.
2-2, end of 2.
Even Stan Fischler, master of the obvious, is calling out the power play unit. The players are not buying into the system and it's showing, Jacques needs to change it up.
Start of the 3rd
A must win period here, if they blow this game, you know the team is in severe trouble.
19:45-18:30 - Rangers are the more aggressive time out of the gate in the 3rd. The Devils have turned aside, with major help from Marty, the attack thus far, including a nice between the legs no-look clear by Mottau.
16:30 - The desperation by Brian Rolston to hit the net is becoming bothersome. He's forcing off-balanced shots with no shooting lanes now, one of these times it will cost the Devils with an odd-man rush. Andy: "I'm surprised they haven't moved him onto the Zajac line." I agree, he's becoming the catalyst to getting players going.
13:45 - Marty gets trapped behind the net, caughs the puck up to the front where the Rangers almost capitalize, if it weren't for the nice diving block by Mottau. This, almog with the fight, are two reason why I can accept his role in the blown coverage leading tot he Kotalik goal.
12:09 - GOAL - 3-2 Devils -ZUUUUBS!!! ZUUUUBS!!!! Zubrus finally snaps his drought! Zubrus goes as fast as he can to keep the puck in deep and chips the puck around the boards to Parise, who throws it on net but slow enough for Zubrus to get his stick on it and deflect it between Lundqvist's legs.
9:02 - Zajac gets denied on a great breakaway by an even better split save by Lundqvist.
8:22 - Marty makes a swift glove save on Gaborik which he bobbles but contains. The Devils need to go for the throat and get another goal to put this almost out of reach. It is a must.
5:53 - Rolston and Parise break out on a 2 on 1, Rolston to Parise, who tries to force a pass back to Rolston but gets blocked so he shoots on net, Rolston goes for the tip and a quick whistle saves Lundqvist.
4:42 - Rangers get one heck of a chance as Oduya goes to break up the pass and Colin White, instead of backing up his defensive parter, dogs it back on the back-check and nearly costs the equalizer.
2:00 - Callahan breaks in but another great diving pokecheck on the back-checkby the defense. Stay Puft manages to get a stick on it while Oduya cuts off the angle with a dive. One tiny slice of humble pie for this guy.
1:29 - Rangers pull Lundy. Oh boy...
Parise seals it with an empty net goal. Andy: "He's getting way too many empty netters." Me: "Its a goal either way, who cares." Laughs are shared by both.
Oduya takes a holding penalty. Rangers pull Lundy again.
Gaborik with a few chances, Kotalik with two as well, but Marty stops them all.
End of Game
Devils 4 - Rangers 2
4-0 on the road.
Great first period, awful awful 2nd period, better 3rd.
5-3-0, 10 points
Next up: @ Pittsburgh on Saturday, 7:30.
Game on!
20:00 - Peters is announced as a scratch, and already we have a "good" in unison.
19:26 - Andy notes the empty seats, I attribute the vacancies to the potentially pennant clinching game tonight for the Yankees.
17:35 - My old roommate texts me a picture of his seats behind the Devils bench. I swear under my breath.
17:25 - Devils nearly gift wrap a goal for the Rangers following a shot from Gaborik. Martin fanned on the rebound-clearing attempt, luckily, Salvador was there to play the puck in the corner.
16:13 - Andy suggests the new Zajac-Clarkson-Bergfors line is like a parent trying to help two kids find their way.
15:22 - Parise narrowly misses a centering attempt from Neidermayer. If it connects, the game's 1-0 Devils, but it floats harmlessly into the corner.
14:34 - FIGHT - Wow, Avery actually dropped the gloves... Mottau vs. Avery. The fight lasts 1 minute 7 seconds, great punches by both players, both players got their right arms free from their jerseys. Crowd chants numerous times for Avery.
13:49 - GOAL - 1-0 Devils - Devils capture momentum from the fight. Martin from behind his net, feeds Neidermayer, who hits Langenbrunner at the center ice boards by the Boxes, who hits Parise at the blueline with a one-touch pass wide open on a breakway and beats Lundy for the 1-0 lead.
13:35 - Andy just realizes that this game is being played in MSG, I kid you not. "That explains why there were so many people chanting Avery, now I'm not as mad." I ask: "The ads on the glass behind the net didn't give it away, nor the GIANT Ranger logo at center ice?" He replies with something that I cannot type. Gotta love roommates.
13:29 - Rangers narrowly escape a 2-0 hole as Lundqvist stone Clarkson right in front after some nice passing and he finds himself wide open.
12:16 - PENALTY - Kotalik for hooking Rod Pelly
10:16 - Devils do not get a single shot off on the PP. Is anyone truely shocked?
8:25 - Oduya starting to get his season going. Two great blocks on Vinny Prospal to prevent a solid scoring chance for the Rangers.
7:54 - Doc announces that the Devils hold a 12-1 advantage in the face off circle.
6:00 - Pandolfo and Rolston break in on a 2 on 1, Pandolfo feeds Rolston wide open who shoots it right into the pads of Lundqvist.
4:50 - GOAL - 2-0 Devils. Bergfors! With a tip in from Clarkson. Just a beautiful goal over the shoulder of Lundqvist.
End of First - Devils hold a 2-0 lead at the break
Start of the 2nd
18:20 - PENALTY - Mottau called for a high stick
18:10 - GOAL - 2-1 Devils - Gaborik on the pp. Brodeur gets part of it, but not all of it. If this is reviewed for the scorer, Callahan might get it.
17:31 - Rolston is shooting more, and they're being registered as shots on goal, but they're right into the keeper.
17:30 - Cheeko says that 2 goals is a high total for the Devils... So much for that new offensive system Lemaire was bringing in, huh?
16:24 - Clarkson gets an open look from the glove side, but the puck rolls to the heel of his stick and moves harmlessly aside.
14:00 - Salvador bails Brodeur out of a horrendous pass, and struggles to get the bench. Looks to be a right leg injury, hopefully only a contusion, or at worst a charlie horse.
12:50-12:34 - Nice end to end action, 2 on 1 for the Devils fails after a good defensive play and a horrendous passing decision, leads to a 3 on 2 the other way when Brodeur makes a amazing skate save to preserve the lead, and on the other way Devils get another 2 on 1 which Lundqvist stops.
On the replay of the first Devils 2 on 1, we find out that it was Matt Hallischuk who had the puck and elected to try and force a centering pass to Rod Pelley. We [Andy and I] attribute it to inexperience and a lack of confidence. Hopefully that will come over time.
10:00 - There are too many odd-man rushes being allowed by both teams right now, moreso on the Devils part. There have been at least a half dozen by my count in this period alone.
9:56 - Neidermayer and Roszival go into the boards on a delayed icing against the Devils, they collide and somehow Neids emerges with a penalty. Hopefully the PK unit can survive more than the 7 seconds on the first of the period.
9:22 - Devils get a clear, they've survived 34 seconds already, but it hasn't been easy.
8:20 - Devils get their 3rd clear of the kill, this is looking more and more like they may actually kill this one.
7:56 - They prove me right but narrowly avoid surrendering the equalizer moments after the penalty ends.
7:25 - Salvador saves a great breakaway chance by diving and poke checking the puck away. Doc then chimes in with this gem, "Oh boy, that could prove to be vital, if we knew what the end result of the next 90 minutes has in store." I cannot help but burst out laughing at the randomness of Dr. Emerick.
5:35 - GOAL - 2-2 - Kotalik off to the races after Zubrus takes a nice shot from the point, and Redden takes the rebound and catches White and Mottau admiring the play, hitting Kotalik just ahead of the blue line, who beats Marty glove side. Nice job, Colin, continue to earn that undeserving $3 million a season.
I'm sorry, but White needs to at least sit a game. He has just been too much of a liability all season. We cut Cory Murphy for doing less. I'll take the blunder from a guy making under a million, but not the $3 million Stay Puft Marshmellow Man.
2:15 - Devils blow a chance for a 3 on 1 by having a man well offsides. The season long 2nd period woes continue.
1:25 - Rolston get's a nice look and fires at Lundqvist. Problem is, just as it has been all game and for the most part all season, he aims 5-hole and is, of course, denied. Hey Brian, ever think goalies are starting to figure out that all you do is look between the legs? How about you adjust, buddy?
0:40 - Devils take too long to develop a play behind the Rangers net, the Rangers backcheck and get over it.
Andy wonders why we don't go back to having 1 player who's speedy and 1 who's a stay at home for each defensive pair. I say we perfer to put all of our eggs into one basket.
Luckilly for us and the Devils, the 2nd period mercifully comes to an end.
If this team does not figure out that they need to stop going onto their heels during the 2nd, it will cost them, as it has already in the past.
Even Parise says in his intermission interview, "We need to be more aggressive like we were in the first. We didnt get pucks in deep and it hurt us." Does anyone on the coaching staff think to say anything during the period? Probably not.
2-2, end of 2.
Even Stan Fischler, master of the obvious, is calling out the power play unit. The players are not buying into the system and it's showing, Jacques needs to change it up.
Start of the 3rd
A must win period here, if they blow this game, you know the team is in severe trouble.
19:45-18:30 - Rangers are the more aggressive time out of the gate in the 3rd. The Devils have turned aside, with major help from Marty, the attack thus far, including a nice between the legs no-look clear by Mottau.
16:30 - The desperation by Brian Rolston to hit the net is becoming bothersome. He's forcing off-balanced shots with no shooting lanes now, one of these times it will cost the Devils with an odd-man rush. Andy: "I'm surprised they haven't moved him onto the Zajac line." I agree, he's becoming the catalyst to getting players going.
13:45 - Marty gets trapped behind the net, caughs the puck up to the front where the Rangers almost capitalize, if it weren't for the nice diving block by Mottau. This, almog with the fight, are two reason why I can accept his role in the blown coverage leading tot he Kotalik goal.
12:09 - GOAL - 3-2 Devils -ZUUUUBS!!! ZUUUUBS!!!! Zubrus finally snaps his drought! Zubrus goes as fast as he can to keep the puck in deep and chips the puck around the boards to Parise, who throws it on net but slow enough for Zubrus to get his stick on it and deflect it between Lundqvist's legs.
9:02 - Zajac gets denied on a great breakaway by an even better split save by Lundqvist.
8:22 - Marty makes a swift glove save on Gaborik which he bobbles but contains. The Devils need to go for the throat and get another goal to put this almost out of reach. It is a must.
5:53 - Rolston and Parise break out on a 2 on 1, Rolston to Parise, who tries to force a pass back to Rolston but gets blocked so he shoots on net, Rolston goes for the tip and a quick whistle saves Lundqvist.
4:42 - Rangers get one heck of a chance as Oduya goes to break up the pass and Colin White, instead of backing up his defensive parter, dogs it back on the back-check and nearly costs the equalizer.
2:00 - Callahan breaks in but another great diving pokecheck on the back-checkby the defense. Stay Puft manages to get a stick on it while Oduya cuts off the angle with a dive. One tiny slice of humble pie for this guy.
1:29 - Rangers pull Lundy. Oh boy...
Parise seals it with an empty net goal. Andy: "He's getting way too many empty netters." Me: "Its a goal either way, who cares." Laughs are shared by both.
Oduya takes a holding penalty. Rangers pull Lundy again.
Gaborik with a few chances, Kotalik with two as well, but Marty stops them all.
End of Game
Devils 4 - Rangers 2
4-0 on the road.
Great first period, awful awful 2nd period, better 3rd.
5-3-0, 10 points
Next up: @ Pittsburgh on Saturday, 7:30.
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