“He’s playing …

Posted on November 13, 2013 by Derek

Our Quote of the Day comes from Martin Brodeur on Jaromir Jagr.

Derek's avatarDatsyukian

“He’s playing well here,” said Brodeur of Jagr. “I relate a lot to him. I can have conversations with him that I can’t have with some of the younger players on this team.

“After losing Kovalchuk, we picked the right guy to help out the chemistry of the team. He’s going to be even better as the year goes on.”

Following the Devils’ 3-2 victory over the Rangers at MSG Tuesday night, 41-year old legend Martin Brodeur had nothing but praise for another 41-year old teammate. Future Hall Of Famer Jaromir Jagr, who was instrumental in setting up Dainius Zubrus’ game-winner. Both quotes are an example of what Jagr brings to a team. He’s a leader. His 14 points pace the Devils so far. It’s the intangibles that still make No. 68 one of the best teammates. A quality Brodeur has instilled throughout his career.

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Devils defeat Rangers 3-2: Outplayed by a pair of 41-year olds

Posted on November 13, 2013 by Derek
Fear Zuke: Mats Zuccarello is mugged by Marek Zidlicky following a shift he spent against nemesis Martin Brodeur. AP Photo/Frank Franklin II

Fear Zuke: Mats Zuccarello is mugged by Marek Zidlicky following a shift he spent against nemesis Martin Brodeur.
AP Photo/Frank Franklin II

So much for taking the bull by its horns. The Rangers have no one to blame but themselves for tonight’s humiliation against a hungrier bitter Hudson rival. They didn’t match the Devils’ intensity and lost 3-2 at a quiet Madison Square Garden. Keep pushing those Lounge Seats Dolan. No wonder they can’t sell out and now have to hear “Let’s Go Devil” chants.

It wasn’t so much that the effort wasn’t there. It’s that they weren’t smart. When you play the Devils, undisciplined play hurts. There were too many costly mistakes resulting in a crushing loss. Anyway you slice it, any defeat to the Devils is an embarrassment. Not just because it’s our number one rival. They won without Patrik Elias and down a defenseman with an injury to Anton Volchenkov in the first period forcing them to go with five the rest of the way.

It didn’t matter because they had a pair of 41-year olds who outplayed our team. Plain and simple. Martin Brodeur was the best player on the ice. A month ago, he thought he was done. Not anymore. He was outstanding making 33 saves. Many spectacular in a busy second which the Rangers threw the kitchen sink at him. Say this for the future Hall Of Famer. Nobody lives for these games more. Maybe if Henrik Lundqvist put all his time into what really mattered, he’d be in the same category. I will never put him there again until he takes us to the Stanley Cup Final. Admittedly, the 2012 Conference Final loss still stings. It hurts to lose to that team.

Brodeur wasn’t the only 41-year old who had a good game. Jaromir Jagr reminded us again why he’s still a dynamic player defying father time. Aside from a second minor penalty he took, his imprints were all over the ice. Jagr only finished with an assist but easily could’ve had more if not for some splendid netminding from Lundqvist. With the game hanging in the balance late, Number 68 made the key play that broke MSG hearts. He chipped a puck in the neutral zone past two Rangers allowing Travis Zajac and Dainius Zubrus to break in two on two. Dan Girardi and Ryan McDonagh played it so poorly, it was humiliating. They totally got crossed up with Girardi foolishly going down taking himself out of the play. A block of a Zajac shot caromed to Zubrus, who buried the winner with 2:55 left.

Brutal. There’s no other way to slice it. I could care less about some of the excuses other bloggers are coming up with. ‘You can’t win every game. You will lose to bad teams.’ Sure. That’s true. But come on. Against a bitter rival, there was no reason for them not to be as determined as the Devils. Not after last month’s 4-0 garbage performance. It’s inexcusable. There are no shortcuts. I don’t spin things like MSG or pro-Rangers bloggers. This was a big game. Especially with what’s coming up. It doesn’t get any easier with Montreal and Los Angeles this weekend and then Boston next Tuesday followed by a five-game road swing.

Give the Devils credit. They were peskier. They wanted it more. Particularly Brodeur, who turned back the clock once more. He didn’t let in any softies like Lundqvist, who somehow allowed fourth line scrub Ryan Carter to score twice. That included a mind numbing backhand with under 50 seconds remaining in the second. A period they controlled. Hank’s one of the best goalies around. I don’t take it for granted. However, that doesn’t excuse him from letting a 2012 ghost sneak two in. Brodeur doesn’t give up such goals when it counts.

The first period sucked. The Rangers came out flat turning over pucks. They played right into the Devils hands. They were quicker outhustling our guys. Somehow, the Rangers still managed to outshoot them 9-7. There were battles like the one Mats Zuccarello had throughout with Brodeur because he has more guts than anyone I’ve ever seen. Zuccarello was in Marty’s face the entire night and had an impact. Eventually in the second, Marek Zidlicky took exception leading to matching roughs.

Despite coming out more aggressively, the Rangers didn’t get the first one. Instead, Brodeur continued to make acrobatic stops that even featured one with his head off a Chris Kreider lacrosse try. Kreider btw had another strong game going after Steve Bernier following a hi-sticking call on Adam Larsson. Kreider had a pair of helpers giving him nine points over the last eight. Out of a timeout, the Devils drew first blood thanks to some hustle from their fourth line. Cam Janssen forced a turnover leading to Andy Greene skating in on Lundqvist. On a delayed call, he let go of one that took a weird bounce right to Carter, who stuffed it in.

To the Rangers’ credit, they answered the bell with Marc Staal one-timing a perfect Zuccarello backhand feed from behind the net stick side on Brodeur. It was his first point since Oct. 26 versus Detroit. The point was a milestone giving him 100 for his NHL career. He was much more noticeable throughout. Kreider, who chipped the puck behind the net to Zuke got the other assist. After the goal, they peppered Marty from everywhere. But he was equal to the task robbing Kreider and making a few other big stops. The Devils aren’t used to giving up so many shots. The defense helped out blocking 18 shots and forcing another 10 misses. Despite not giving their best, the Rangers easily could’ve had 60 shots. That’s probably the only positive I can think of.

Carter’s second of the period came following more Ranger pressure. Larsson made a good defensive getting the puck out allowing Carter to go one on one with a defenseman. I forget who. It might’ve been Girardi. Simply put, he flung a backhand from a bad angle that went through Lundqvist. An awful goal to allow. It left a bitter taste because it reminded me of some of the cruddy ones he gave up two Springs ago. He more than made up for it robbing Jagr on a breakaway out of the box. Staal got enough back pressure on him to force Jagr to try a backhand deke, which Hank ate up. Considering how dismal the power play was going 0 for 5 against a stingy Devils penalty killing unit, it was a momentum turner.

Moments earlier on the same shift, Girardi thought he had his first in front but missed. But Kreider got the puck back to him at the point and he let go of a wrist shot, which deflected off Larsson’s skate off Brodeur’s glove with Zuccarello in front. Sometimes, it’s that simple. Zuke was our best player by far. He was everywhere. Why he didn’t get even more than the 18:32 Alain Vigneault is as much of a head scratcher as taking Kreider off the first power play unit. He obviously doesn’t trust J.T. Miller enough to play him consistently. For a second straight game, he didn’t break nine minutes receiving only 5:04 in 10 shifts. He’s been on for a few goals against the last two. Maybe they should send him down. With three days off, it’s coming.

The problem is Brandon Mashinter only took five shifts and Benoit Pouliot is in the doghouse. That means Vigneault is starting to resemble John Tortorella. He’s leaning too heavily on Ryan Callahan and Brad Richards, who was invisible. Callahan struggled to get shots through despite 23:01. Carl Hagelin also had a quite game not registering a shot and a minus-one. With Brian Boyle having an uneven night taking another penalty despite going 9 for 15 on faceoffs, it put too much pressure on the top two lines. On nights like this when you face an opportunistic opponent who capitalizes on every mistake, you can’t get cute. They were and ultimately paid the price.

Zubrus’ goal was not even shocking. Once Jagr made the pass catching our forwards, you could kind of see it coming. Lundqvist had no chance thanks to Girardi going down screening him out. They pulled him late but it didn’t matter because the Devils can protect leads. They earned it.

BONY Three Stars:

3rd Star-Jaromir Jagr, NJD (assist, 4 shots, 4 PIM, +1 in 18:04-dangerous every shift)

2nd Star-Ryan Carter, NJD (2 goals on 3 shots, plus-2 in 14:22)

1st Star-Martin Brodeur, NJD (33 saves incl. 15/16 in busy 2nd-NHL record 674th win)

Game Notes: Zajac had an impact setting up the game-winner while going 16 for 25 on faceoffs. He took a lot of criticism from Devil fans. But they’re a much better team with him healthy. Overall, the Devils held the faceoff edge 37-31 meaning the rest of the club won 21 without Zajac. On the Ranger side, Stepan was 13 for 28. Richards was 5 for 14 despite Joe Micheletti not paying attention. … The game wasn’t overly physical which probably worked to our disadvantage. Callahan had seven of the Rangers’ 27 while no Devil had more than two of their 17. …

Stat Of The Game: Giveaways NJD 4 NYR 11

Posted in Battle Of Hudson, Devils, NY Rangers | 2 Comments

Nash to practice with team Wednesday

Posted on November 12, 2013 by Derek
Rick Nash (seen above) will return to practice with the Rangers tomorrow. He shouldn't be rushed under any circumstances.

Rick Nash (seen above) will return to practice with the Rangers tomorrow. He shouldn’t be rushed under any circumstances.

The Rangers just got some good news. Alain Vigneault just announced that Rick Nash will return to practice with the team tomorrow. Out with a concussion sustained in the third game of the season Oct. 8 at San Jose, he’s missed 14 games since. Nash has skated three straight days and reported no signs of PCS.

It’s great that he’ll return to team practice Wednesday. But they should still be guarded. Just because he’s feeling better doesn’t mean he’s ready. The Rangers cannot rush him back under any circumstance. Concussions are the unknown. One day, a player can feel good. The next, they can report headaches. You never know. Nash still has to be cleared for contact. Not until he is can we even get excited about a possible return. This is merely the next step in the process.

Having won six of seven entering tonight’s match against the Devils, the Rangers have to feel good with where they are. At 9-8-0 with 18 points, they trail second place Washington by a point and first place Pittsburgh by four. If they take care of business, that’s four in a row. Beating the teams behind you is a necessity. The schedule picks up this weekend with a visit to the house of horrors Montreal and then returning to Manhattan for Los Angeles. No disrespect. But they should win tonight. It’s an important game with tougher opponents ahead including the Bruins visiting next Tuesday. They then embark on a five-game road trip with stops in Dallas, Nashville, Tampa, Florida and Boston before returning for the Canucks Nov. 30. John Tortorella’s return.

We’ll examine with caution where Nash is. I don’t expect him back anytime soon. They should wait until next month. Rushing him back would be a huge mistake. There’s the future to worry about with him signed through 2017-18. They better be careful.

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Battle Of Hudson Preview: Devils and Rangers renew rivalry

Posted on November 12, 2013 by Derek
Cam Janssen and Brandon Mashinter exchange punches. AP/Bill Kostroun

Cam Janssen and Brandon Mashinter exchange punches.
AP/Bill Kostroun

The last time the Rangers faced the Devils, both teams were struggling mightily. For our side of a classic Hudson rivalry, a 4-0 shutout loss on Oct. 19 in Newark was a low point. They were so uncompetitive that Cory Schneider could’ve had a lounge chair. It was their first game without Ryan Callahan. A 2-1 humiliation to the Flyers had them off to a 2-6-0 start.

An emotional 3-2 overtime win in Detroit helped right the ship. Carl Hagelin returned two games later and they’ve been a different team since winning six of seven entering tonight’s Garden rematch. Having both Hagelin and Callahan back have helped immensely. With Chris Kreider’s improvement and Mats Zuccarello playing his best hockey, the Rangers are scoring more. In four of their last six, they’ve reached four or more. Until allowing three to the Panthers Sunday, they’d given up two or fewer in nine straight. A stretch that followed the Devil embarrassment.

Henrik Lundqvist is back to his old self bringing a 6-6-0 record with a 2.47 GAA and .916 save percentage with two shutouts into tonight. Unlike last month, he’ll see Martin Brodeur in the opposite end. The 41-year old legend isn’t done yet. After admitting that he lost the competition with Schneider, all he’s done is return to form posting back-to-back shutouts. Many Devil fans wrote Marty off prematurely. Once more, he’s silenced his critics entering with a 4-3-2 mark including a 2.09 GAA, .908 save percentage and two shutouts. Never count a legend out.

Speaking of which, the Devils are coming off their best win of the season. A 5-0 trouncing of the Predators. They’ve won two of three and got five of six points including a shootout defeat to the Maple Leafs. Up to 5-7-5, they’re only a few points out of the playoffs. Jaromir Jagr is a big reason why. Another legend that was counted out following last year’s playoffs when he didn’t score a goal during Boston’s run to the Stanley Cup Final. People forget that he had plenty of chances. Jagr scored his fifth of the season Sunday to set the tone. It also was a milestone with the goal his 1,700th NHL point- becoming only the eighth player to accomplish it. He joined an exclusive list that features Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Gordie Howe, Ron Francis, Marcel Dionne, Steve Yzerman and former Pen teammate Mario Lemieux.

Had he not missed a few seasons due to returning to the KHL, Jagr probably is second behind Gretzky. Despite his enormous talent, Number 68’s been taken for granted. His 13 points (5-8-13) which lead the Devils are proof he’s still got it. If you’ve seen the Devils, you already know. He’s been their best forward. They don’t score much. Especially without Patrik Elias. However, Jagr has been at the forefront. Aside from a highlight reel goal, he had a great set up for Travis Zajac that was a thing of beauty. Aside from his 686 career goals, Jagr is a sensational playmaker. He’s totaled 1,015 assists ranking 12th all-time. Two more would pass Hall Of Famer Joe Sakic for 11th. As I’ve echoed many times, “Legends Never Die.”

There are other interesting storylines. Perhaps none better than Cam Janssen. Since his recall from Albany, the popular Devil enforcer has scored twice in three games. Both came in wins. Brodeur shutouts over the Flyers and Preds. Janssen has nearly doubled his career output going from three goals to five. Who ever would’ve thought he could inject life with his stick instead of his fists?

On the Ranger side, Ryan McDonagh has turned into an offensive source from the back end. With four points over his last three, he’s up to 10 (4-6-10) for the season which leads Rangers defensemen. That’s good enough to place him third in team scoring trailing Brad Richards and Derek Stepan. For the Devils, Marek Zidlicky continues to produce posting two goals and nine assists for 11 points. The Czech vet blueliner ranks second behind Jagr and is particularly dangerous on the power play possessing a heavy one-timer.

If you’re looking at rookies, Kreider has eight points (2-6-8) in 10 games. That included a great pass off a tic-tac-toe set up for J.T. Miller. His backcheck forced a turnover leading directly to the goal. He also showed a mean streak going after Scottie Upshall with a nasty cross check. He wasn’t disciplined. Such a retaliation could’ve hurt the team. He has to be smarter. For the Devils, defenseman Eric Gelinas has been a steady influence on Adam Larsson. Gelinas has proven he should stay up posting five points (1-4-5) in eight games. A solid skater with a good shot, he’s given Pete DeBoer another option on the power play. He has a lot of poise.

On the injury front, Rick Nash skated again. He’s getting closer. The reviews have been positive, which is encouraging. Taylor Pyatt remains out with a concussion. That means big bruiser Brandon Mashinter plays again which could mean a rematch from preseason if Janssen isn’t focused on goal scoring.

Unlike last time, both teams are playing well. So, it should make for an early Thanksgiving treat for locals. The Battle Of Hudson is one of the best rivalries. This is Game 2 of 5. The next meeting is Dec. 7 at MSG a day before my birthday. I’m not going tonight. It’s a safe bet I’ll be at that one with the Caps visiting Dec. 8. My next game is this Sunday with the Kings visiting. That should be good. Hopefully, we can say the same for tonight.

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Steven Stamkos injury

Posted on November 11, 2013 by Derek

In today’s Lightning-Bruins game at TD Garden, Tampa star center Steven Stamkos suffered a broken tibia. The injury occurred at 7:11 of the second period when he lost his edge accidentally colliding into the Boston net. He was in pain lying on the ice until being stretchered off.

It’s an unfortunate injury for the NHL to one of the game’s brightest superstars. Only 23, Stamkos was tied with Sidney Crosby for the league lead in scoring with 23 points (14-9-23). He entered the Veteran’s Day matinee on fire with 13 points in his last eight games including eight goals. That featured a six-game goal streak with seven during that span.

The Lightning have vaulted to the top of the Atlantic leading the division with a 12-5-0 record for 24 points. Following today’s crushing loss, that’s one ahead of the Bruins and tops in the Eastern Conference. The Bolts will now be forced to play without their best player. Stamkos was emerging as an early Hart contender. It’s a shame he’ll miss significant time. A big disappointment for the NHL and hockey fans.

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Richards big night keys Rangers 4-3 win over feisty Panthers

Posted on November 11, 2013 by Derek
Derek Dorsett is pumped after his tying goal in the second of a Rangers' 4-3 win over the Panthers. AP Photo/John Minchillo

Derek Dorsett is pumped after his tying goal in the second of a Rangers’ 4-3 win over the Panthers.
AP Photo/John Minchillo

After the Rangers held off a strong challenge from the Panthers, MSG’s Sam Rosen summed up the 4-3 win best. “There are no easy games in the NHL.” How accurate he was with that statement. Sam has lost a little mustard on our games but is still great at hammering home the point. For the team, it was an important two points to get giving them three consecutive wins. It’s not always pretty but a ‘W’ is a ‘W.’ For the first time all season, they’re over .500 improving to 9-8-0. With 18 points, suddenly they trail first place Pittsburgh by four.

The improved offense continued with the Rangers scoring four on two-time Vezina winner Tim Thomas. The ornery vet was under siege at times making acrobatic stops en route to a 25-save performance. Despite allowing four, he was good. So too was Henrik Lundqvist, who despite giving up three goals to end our impressive streak of two or less at 10, was strong finishing with 24 saves. The goaltenders had to be good due to a wide open contest that Joe Micheletti referenced as “pond hockey.” That’s the kind of game it was featuring exciting end to end rushes with each team taking turns pushing the attack. That’s what interim Panther coach Peter Horachek wants to see. It still wasn’t enough sending them to a ninth straight loss.

Brad Richards had quite a game. The likeable 33-year old vet has bounced back rediscovering his scoring touch. Before snapping an eight-game goal drought with a beauty in the third period, he had so many chances but no luck. That included a goal post along with a glorious opportunity in which he missed a gaping net off a Carl Hagelin set up. After the whistle, he broke his stick in frustration. It’s nice to see him show emotion. This isn’t last year when nothing went right. Richards continued to battle and got rewarded. He also set up Mats Zuccarello’s game-winner on a well orchestrated 5-on-3 out of a timeout. A rarity. Credit assistant Scott Arniel for being the anti-Mike Sullivan.

”It seemed like one of those nights where you wonder if something was against you. But we got a clean sheet of ice and I put one into the net,” Richards explained following a big night that gave him five points over his last three. ”We’ve been winning lately, which brings the mood of everybody up.”

Winning cures all. Even on a night they weren’t sharp, the Rangers got the job done. Of course, they had to play down to a desperate opponent, who I warned would be dangerous. Even on a back to back, the feisty Panthers kept clawing back. After J.T. Miller finished off a wonderful play from Chris Kreider and Ryan McDonagh, Brian Boyle took a bad penalty with 44 seconds left in the first. It didn’t take long for Florida to cash in with rookie Aleksander Barkov steering home a Kris Versteeg rebound with 26.1 seconds remaining. Tom Gilbert picked up the secondary assist.

The Panthers carried momentum into a strong second. They controlled much of the play for long stretches- forcing Lundqvist to be at his best. At one point, shots were 11-2. It took a Brian Campbell goal off a Ranger stick for them to awaken. Trailing 2-1, they responded with a strong shift. An onslaught on Thomas that finally resulted in Derek Dorsett’s tying marker with 6:02 left. Alain Vigneault changed things up shifting Dorsett to a checking line with Boyle and Derick Brassard. The move paid off immediately when a great second effort from Dorsett resulted in him slamming home his own rebound past Thomas. Boyle got the puck in behind the net and Dorsett did the rest. Mike Del Zotto notched the other helper.

”Even though they’ve been struggling a little bit lately, it’s still a tough game to play,” Lundqvist pointed out. ”The second goal for us when we tied it up was a big, big goal, going out and getting that confidence, knowing that we can do this.”

Without Dorsett’s goal, who knows if the Rangers win. They needed it. Dorsett’s game has really been noticeable. No longer taking silly penalties, he’s using his speed to get in on the forecheck and finish checks. He was the throw in from the Marian Gaborik deal. At the time, I felt he could become a fan favorite due to his aggressive physical game. For a while, he wasn’t using his head. Now, he’s become so trusted that Vigneault rewarded him with 20 shifts (15:23 TOI). On the flip side, Benoit Pouliot is in the doghouse seeing only 11 shifts (7:13). He’s taken bad penalties and hasn’t been consistent. You have to play the guys who are going.

”I don’t think we played that well,” Zuccarello added after his one-timer on a two-man advantage held up. ”At the same time we pushed the pace a little bit extra when they went up 2-1.”

Less than a minute into the third, Richards finally got one. Off another brilliant pass from Hagelin, this time he didn’t miss firing a laser top shelf from the left circle. Consecutive penalties from Versteeg and Dmitry Kulikov handed them a crucial 5-on-3. A big McDonagh keep allowed Derek Stepan to move the puck to Richards, who quickly passed for Zuccarello, who didn’t miss. It was a sight to behold. Maybe we should freeze frame it.

To the Panthers’ credit, they didn’t quit. Campbell’s perseverance was rewarded when he got to a Tomas Fleischmann rebound cutting it to 4-3 with still 7:03 left. Nick Bjugstad drew the other helper. It got more interesting after an undisciplined Kreider cross check to Scottie Upshall put Florida on a power play for the final 1:15. He reacted poorly to an Upshall slash during a shift taking an unnecessary penalty that could’ve cost his team. Luckily, his teammates bailed him out. I’m sure Vigneault had a talk with him. Technically, Kreider’s still a rookie. He’s playing with more purpose. It was his superb back check that forced a turnover leading to Miller’s first. He also made the pass.

Kreider’s play was already reviewed by the league. They decided against suspending him. He hasn’t been around that long. So maybe he got a get out of jail free card. Next time, he won’t be so fortunate. I’m glad we’ll have him for the suddenly resurgent Devils for tomorrow’s Battle Of Hudson rematch at MSG. Since the recall, he’s been one of their best forwards finally looking like a complete player. The one ex-coach John Tortorella wanted to see. Kreider has always had a good attitude despite the setbacks. When he didn’t make the club out of camp, he didn’t pine. Instead, he worked hard under Ken Gernander and earned a promotion. Even if it was due to desperate circumstances. The same thing once happened for Brandon Dubinsky. It doesn’t matter how they get here. But what they do with it.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Brian Campbell, FLA (2 goals including 400th career point in 27:02)

2nd Star-Mats Zuccarello, NYR (PPG game-winner at 6:16 of 3rd, 5 SOG in 21:19)

1st Star-Brad Richards, NYR (6th of season snapped 8-game drought, assist, 4 SOG, 4 missed attempts, 8-of-11 on face-offs, +1 in 19:05)

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Team effort powers Devils past Nashville

Posted on November 11, 2013 by hasan4978

There haven’t been too many nights around here lately where everything’s clicked at once but last night’s 5-0 whitewashing of Nashville was one of them.  Finally, the Devils had a rare laugher that was never in doubt, and not a moment too soon.  If you’re trying to find anyone in red that didn’t play well yesterday, I don’t think you’ll find them.  Offensively, five different Devils scored goals and thirteen players registered at least a point.  Defensively, the Devils allowed just fifteen shots on net – no small accomplishment considering the six successful penalty kills during the game.  And in goal, Martin Brodeur posted his second consecutive shutout and on a scale of 1-10 was 11 playing the puck last night, starting multiple breakouts.  Yet Brodeur still was only second star behind fellow fortysomething Jaromir Jagr, who put up a goal early and a gorgeous assist late, passing the 1700-point plateau only behind names such as Gretzky, Messier, Howe, Francis, Dionne, Yzerman and Lemieux.  In fact if Jagr hadn’t spent multiple seasons in the KHL he’d easily be second in points only behind Gretzky, who’s in another stratosphere.

Jagr scored the first goal of the game after barely a minute and a half with one of his patented deadly wristers.  After Peter Harrold made a nice play in traffic to get the puck to Jagr, he drifted off to the left patiently waiting for the screen in front that eventually came and beat Carter Hutton for his fifth goal of the season.  If Jagr made a smart individual play on the first goal, his entire line with Travis Zajac and Danius Zubrus would combine on the team’s fourth at 12:57 of the third period on a nice give-and-go play.  Zubrus entered the zone, passed it back to Jagr on his right, then Jagr quickly found an open Zajac in front for a one-timer for Travis’s second goal of the season.  Though coach Pete DeBoer was able to keep Jagr under fifteen minutes in a 5-0 game, his impact was still palpable.  It’s fitting that in a week all about former Devils like Brendan Shanahan and Scott Niedermayer being inducted into the Hall of Fame, Jagr keeps cranking out performances that show why he’ll join them in Toronto…some day.  Maybe when he’s 50.

Same thing can be said about Brodeur, who after pronouncing that Cory Schnieder was the goaltender going forward has ironically done everything he could to prove himself wrong.  Schnieder’s lower-body injury a couple weeks back was the opening Brodeur needed to turn back the clock yet again, allowing just two goals in his last four games and perhaps reclaiming the job again after going 4-1 in his last five games.  Surely Marty has to start tomorrow at the Garden coming off of two shutouts.  After that, the Devils have a pair of back-to-backs so each goalie’ll get work over the next two weeks.  To be fair to Cory, he’s only had ten goals of support in his seven games and has a GAA of barely over 2, so it’s not like he’s been bad.  Still, Marty turning back the clock to 2012…or 2003 has been inspiring.  Especially when he’s on his game puckhandling like last night, it just gives the whole team more swagger.

If Marty and Jagr both turning back the clock has been mildly surprising, that’s nothing compared to the shock of likeable enforcer Cam Janssen‘s newfound goalscoring touch.  After his unexpected goal in Philly, Cam followed that with yet another last night, putting home a rebound from a Ryan Carter attempt in front at 2:54 of the second period.  If Cam was excited for his second goal in a week, so was the crowd – which chanted ‘Ca-am Jan-ssen!’ for at least a minute after.  Putting Cam’s week in perspective, he’s tallied just five goals in his NHL career and three as a Devil.  Two of them have come in the last four days, and this isn’t some guy that just came into the league yesterday.  He was an NHL regular on and off from 2005 until last season where he spent most of it in the AHL, seemingly destined to finish out his days in Albany until his unexpected recall a week ago.  Yes, Cam’s 752 penalty minutes in his 315 games are his primary calling card (i.e. being an enforcer)…but his enthusiasm and unexpected production has given a dying team a much-needed jolt of life in the last week.

Not that Cam’s the only new face having an impact.  Eric Gelinas (five points, +1 in 8 games) has given the Devils much-needed offensive punch from the blueline to complement a resurgent Marek Zidlicky (eleven points in 17 games).  Both defensemen combined on a bang-bang power play goal at 8:37 of the second period – five seconds after Seth Jones took a penalty – when Adam Henrique won a faceoff back to Gelinas, who fed Zidlicky for a violent one-timer goal, his second of the year.  Gelinas has not only helped the power play start to hum, but he’s inspired d-partner Adam Larsson to play some of his best hockey as a Devil over the last two weeks.  Perhaps Larsson’s taken well to being the mentor as opposed to the young guy on his pairing.  Whatever the case, it’s like the Devils have added two defensemen and not just one.

New Jersey’s final goal of the night was also a bit unexpected, as Mattias Tedenby mezmerized Hutton with some slick movement before beating him from an angle with a wrist shot.  If Tedenby’s goal was a stat-padder (it came with just 44 seconds left when the Devils already had a four-goal lead) it was a neccesary one for the young Swede, who hadn’t scored an NHL goal since 2011 but finally got rewarded for his improved play since getting out of limbo and into the lineup.  Tedenby’s goal was also fitting cause he’d had an inauspicious start to the game, giving Hutton a perfect snowshower in the first period reminiscent of Claude Lemieux, and then getting sent to the box for unsportsmanlike conduct because of it.  Has this league really gotten that soft where a well-timed snowshower is unsportsmanlike conduct?

All in all, last night was a nice game to enjoy from the ice cream suite.  It wasn’t quite as good as it was last year when they brought in bowls of vanilla and chocolate icecream and full-sized brownies and cookies, as opposed to the Rita’s pre-filled cups of icecream – which were big enough – and the miniature (I’m talking one inch long) cookies/brownies they had last night.  They didn’t even have the free programs they did last year, or the alum/mascot visits.  Oh well at least the seat was padded and I did have enough to gorge on regardless.  Not to mention a nice view of the attacking zone from the corner, the direct opposite of where I usually sit…and thankfully away from the annoying horn/vuvuzela concert in 122 for a night.

Despite the sub 13,000 crowd, the atmosphere seemed improved.  Sadly being able to chant ‘you suck’ to SNA’s goal song a handful of times probably helped, though so did the game itself.  The video on the goal song was nice though the random canned ‘Let’s Go Devils’ during it has gotta go.  Let the crowd chant ‘Let’s Go Devils’ on its own, which usually happens after the goal song finishes and not during it. Blur 2 did came back after the final horn, so at least they’re listening to the fans on something.  Having the ushers bang thundersticks and celebrate with the fans as everyone was leaving was a nice touch too.

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Devils’ extra time woes cost them again in Toronto

Posted on November 9, 2013 by hasan4978

Phil Kessel celebrates his highlight-reel goal with teammates Joffrey Lupul and James van Riemsdyk (TSN.ca)

Although the Devils’ scoring woes in regulation have been bad enough over the last two seasons, it actually pales in comparison to the Devils’ woes in tie games once regulation ends.  During the last two seasons, New Jersey has just two OT wins in their last seventeen extra-time games.  That’s a lot of points left on the table.  In fact, our last OT win came in January when Ilya Kovalchuk beat the Caps with a power play goal.  Our last shootout wins came in March against Winnipeg and Buffalo.  If our OT/SO record was bad last year, this year it’s been a total trainwreck with four shootout defeats and one OT loss in our first sixteen games, and even more alarmingly 0-14 in the entire season on shootout attempts (and 0-for-our last 21 dating back to last year).  That futility just adds to the already horrendous record since mid-February where we haven’t had longer than a two-game winning streak, and our shootout/OT woes are a big reason why.  People can mock it and say it shouldn’t be a part of the NHL, but it is.  It was a part of the NHL when the Devils were dominant at it two years ago (bumping us from a #8 seed fighting for our lives to a comfortable #6 seed), and it’s a part of it now that we’re a total hot mess in it.  Whether it’s talent, coaching or both the Devils need to find a way to start getting more points in extra time.  You can’t solely rely on regulation wins, especially when they’ve been sorely lacking in that area too.  Winning a bunch of shootout/OT games early in 2011-12 helped keep our heads above water until we started to play better.  Losing a bunch of them is helping us stay under water now.

Yes, the Devils and Leafs put on a pretty good show for 65 minutes and really either team (especially us) could/should have had more goals, but didn’t.  That’s been the story of our last two seasons, dominate in shots and fail to capitalize.  With each game like this I sneer more at the advanced numbers which claim we’re due to turn this around, mostly based on shot totals.  Really?  When does that start happening?  In fact we wouldn’t have had any goals at all if Johnathan Bernier didn’t comically misplay a harmless Michael Ryder shot on net off his own body with less than five minutes remaining and the Devils trailing by one.  Toronto’s goal was also comical with Marek Zidlicky providing a clinic into how not to play defense, first flubbing a clear out of the zone.  Then after Stephen Gionta needlessly pressured Phil Kessel and eventually got blown by him when the big winger got some speed heading into the neutral zone, Zidlicky screwed up again when he stood flat-footed letting Kessel blow by him too, and taking a futile penalty for good measure when Kessel scored on a brilliant move in front.  We really can’t afford those kinds of mistakes unfortuantely with how bad our offense is.  If not for Bernier’s early Christmas gift, we would have been shut out three of our last four games.

It’s easy to complain that we have a bad OT/SO record, but hard to figure what should be done about it.  Let’s face it, most of our prowess at the skills competition two seasons ago was built off of star wingers Kovalchuk and Zach Parise.  Without them, the Devils options in the skills competition are limited at best, especially with Patrik Elias missing his fourth straight game last night.  Still, despite coach Pete DeBoer‘s protestation that he can’t coach the shootout…he does pick the order, no?  Whoever’s picking the order I really don’t see the point of constantly throwing Ryder and his 6-37 lifetime record in the shootout out there again and again.  Or the fact the staff seems to not realize you can use defensemen (Zidlicky) in the shootout.  Zidlicky’s career mark in the skills competition is better than at least two of the guys (Ryder and Adam Henrique) we threw out in the shootout last night.  Before last night I might have said it was nitpicking to get on DeBoer for the order or his choices, but when you do the same things over and over again that don’t work you’re usually doomed to the same results.  Think outside the box, for crying out loud.  If you’re not going to trust Mattias Tedenby in a regular game, can he at least get a shot in the skills competition?  He’s not going to give up a goal 1-on-0 and really his backchecking hasn’t been terrible this season, the little he has been allowed to play.

Even in OT, we don’t think outside the box.  I’m far from Tedenby’s biggest fan as a player but his one attribute is speed.  In a 4-on-4 situation speed helps create chances.  So what does DeBoer do?  Bench Tedenby for the entire OT and run out plodding Danius Zubrus time and again.  I love Zubrus but his skills are NOT suited for 4-on-4, he’s slow and doesn’t have a lot of offensive talent at this point in his career.  If the entire game was played within two feet of the boards Zubrus would be the best player in the NHL but it’s much harder to get a good cycle going with just one other forward and the d-men playing back.  Although Jagr and Elias are among the career leaders in OT goals, neither really has enough speed to dominate the extra session anymore.  I know Tedenby’s not the best backchecker in the world but for crying out loud, what’s the difference if he makes a mistake in OT or you grind the game into a shootout and lose there anyway?  You get the same result losing in OT that you get losing in a shootout…and getting into a shootout more or less etches that result in stone with our hideous offensive talent.  So why not take a chance and try to win in OT?   It’s been two seasons of the same approach with the same results.

And I heard that rationale again from Devils fans last night…’we got three points in two games, that was a successful back-to-back’.  Well yippee, we beat a corpse team on Thursday and then left a point on the table against a conference rival who we’re going to be fighting with for a spot if we ever do make a playoff run.  Not to mention our next eight games are murder.  Tomorrow night’s game against Nashville (who lost 5-0 in Winnipeg last night playing their backup goalie while Pekka Rinne‘s on the shelf) is imperative to win while the Preds are in the middle of a long road trip.  Especially considering the seven games after that…at MSG Tuesday, the Kings at home Friday followed by the Penguins on Saturday before a West Coast trip of doom at Anaheim, LA and San Jose from the 20th to the 23rd before we return home and face the Jets just two nights later, and they always skate circles around us even when we’re not trip-lagged.  Oh well at least I’ll get to enjoy an ice cream suite tomorrow.  Either I’ll be celebrating a rare win, or drown my sorrows in chocolate.  Maybe we’ll actually hear the goal song this time.

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After firing Dineen, Panthers visit Garden

Posted on November 9, 2013 by Derek

Just correcting something from my previous post. The Rangers host the Panthers Sunday at MSG. Not Saturday. The Kings don’t visit until the following Sunday Nov. 17. That’ll be my second game. Hope to see some followers there.

A bit more on the firing of Kevin Dineen. That included his entire coaching staff with assistants Gord Murphy and Craig Ramsay. They were 3-9-4 through 16 games sitting seventh in the Atlantic Division. During a season worst seven-game losing streak (0-3-4), the Panthers have been outscored 21-11. That excludes three shootout losses. Five of the seven have been close with three decided by skill competitions and one in overtime.

It’s hard to grasp what exactly Florida management expects in a total rebuild. Last year’s Calder winner Jonathan Huberdeau is off to a slow start with eight points (3-5-8) so far. Vet pivot Tomas Fleischmann leads them with 11. Rookie Aleksander Barkov has three goals and four assists. One of the leaders from a surprising team two years ago that pushed the Devils seven games, Kris Versteeg only has two goals so far. When Scott Gomez is looked upon for offense, it doesn’t speak too highly. Tomas Kopecky is without a point. They’re also without Tim Thomas, who’s been out two weeks after suffering a lower body injury. That’s left the goaltending mostly to Jacob Markstrom, who’s struggled mightily posting a 3.36 GAA and .877 save percentage. Scott Clemmensen is the backup.

General Manager Dale Tallon named Peter Horachek interim coach. He was coaching AHL affiliate San Antonio. Maybe he’s banking on him to provide a spark. Horachek’s assistants include former NHLers Brian Skrudland and John Madden. The popular former Devil checking center who helped them win two Stanley Cups. Known as Madd Dog, he carved out a nice career that included a third Cup with Chicago and a Selke for league’s top defensive forward. He was working as a pro scout for the organization where he retired in ’11-12.

What does it all mean? Probably just more reason for the Rangers to not take them lightly. The Panthers have given them trouble in the past. They can’t be lulled to sleep. With the Devils also visiting Tuesday, those are two games they should win. Yes. New Jersey earned a point in tonight’s Hockey Hall Of Fame Game at Toronto falling in the shootout. A place they still haven’t scored going 0 for 15. However, the Devils already beat us once. A game that was uncompetitive. Against a bitter rival, that’s inexcusable. They better get these two games. No ifs, ands or buts.

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Back at .500, Rangers look to keep momentum

Posted on November 8, 2013 by Derek

Carl Hagelin Scores

After a slow start, the Rangers are playing better hockey. Despite no Rick Nash, they’ve managed to score enough goals to reach .500. A 4-2 win over the Blue Jackets in Columbus leveled their record at 8-8-0. With 16 points in the Metro Division, they’re currently third trailing the Pens and Caps. Only six out of first, Alain Vigneault’s Blue Crew have weathered the storm. Even though Washington has won four straight, they trail us in ROW. Our eight wins are second to the Pens’ 10 with the Caps’ 5 three behind in the first tiebreaker. Sure. It’s early and nobody will remember this. But being able to win in regulation and overtime has its benefits. 

In last night’s win over Rangers Ohio, Carl Hagelin scored twice including the game-winner which he got credit for. During a sustained forecheck, Hags applied pressure on a Blue Jacket, who accidentally shot the puck past a stunned Sergei Bobrovsky. One of those crazy moments that’s becoming the norm. How about that goal Roberto Luongo allowed? It happens. Sometimes, you make your own luck. In the case of Hagelin, he deserves it for how well he’s played since returning. Already with four goals and three assists in just six games, his seven points are tied for fifth with Ryan Callahan, Derick Brassard, Mats Zuccarello and Chris Kreider. In fact, his four goals are tied with Derek Stepan and Ryan McDonagh trailing only Callahan and Brad Richards, who each have five. He’s a mini-Cally whose speed and energy provide so much. Ditto for Zuccarello, who continues to put up points after a cold start.

Indeed, the offense is finally doing its part. McDonagh’s empty netter gave him four already. He’s benefited from playing the point on the power play. He has struggled some defensively but his increased offensive role is a positive. That was supposed to be Marc Staal, who’s been eerily quiet. Mike Del Zotto has three points so far but is being more aggressive. Anton Stralman has been steady so far with just two assists. John Moore’s been more of a project. With a goal and helper, he’s experiencing peaks and valleys that come with a young defenseman. I’m not sure how good this system is for Dan Girardi, who at times has been a step slow. However, he always gives max effort.

With rookie Cam Talbot allowing two goals in his fourth start, he’s provided a steady backup that Vigneault can lean on to give Henrik Lundqvist a night off. So far, so good for Cam. By permitting two, it marked the ninth straight game a Ranger netminder has allowed two or fewer. A welcome change. There’s still things to work on. But they’re settling in. With the struggling Panthers coming in on the heels of a seven-game losing streak axing Kevin Dineen, they must be on their toes. Sunday is a classic letdown game. Don’t take it lightly. Especially with the Kings paying a visit Sunday for a back to back.  This is an opportunity for the Rangers to keep building momentum. We’ll see if they’re up to the challenge.

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