Battle Of Hudson

On what’s a great sunny Monday with near 60 degree Spring weather- a virtual miracle- rather than do recaps, I’m going to give some more observations on what’s been going on. In no particular order:

1.The Rangers finally snapped a six-game winless streak yesterday by coming back from two early goals down to defeat the shorthanded Pens 5-3 at MSG. To say it was big is an understatement. Especially with Carolina and Atlanta closing in along with Buffalo. It may not have started out well but John Tortorella’s timeout settled his club down and they responded by scoring five straight en route to their first win in three weeks. The best aspect was they scored three power play goals. Repeat. THREE POWER PLAY GOALS! Coincidence that Steve Eminger was back for Mike Del Zotto?!?!?!?! We kid. Ryan Callahan netted two of them. One on a redirect and the other on a quick shot from the left circle with Brandon Dubinsky screening Marc-Andre Fleury. Brian Boyle started the comeback with a nifty deflection of a Marc Staal shot. Vinny Prospal,who set up the goal also was the beneficiary of a nice Marian Gaborik feed for a slam dunk. Prosp continues to prosper since returning with two goals and an assist in five games. Gaborik didn’t score but has been more active lately. A good sign. Artem Anisimov got the other PPG with Mats Zuccarello setting him up. If they really want to prove this isn’t a fluke, then games Thursday and Friday against the Kings and Devils loom large.

2.The Islanders were hit hard, stemming from Friday’s bloodshed with the league announcing the verdict after the club exacted revenge on the Pens highlighted by 15 fights, 10 game misconducts and 346 penalty minutes in their 9-3 rout. Not surprisingly, Trevor Gillies was suspended nine games for his dirty high hit that concussed Pens’ rookie Eric Tangradi. His antics crossed the line as did goon Matt Martin who tried to sucker punch No.1 target Max Talbot. He gets four games. Nothing for Micheal Haley who had a memorable night taking on all comers including Brent Johnson before Eric Godard violated league policy by coming off the bench- earning a mandatory 10-game ban. The part that is mind boggling is that the Islanders were fined $100,000 while the Penguins zilch. How could that be? Even if the Islanders deserve a bulk of the criticism for going overboard in response to Talbot’s unpenalized blindside hit that KO’d Blake Comeau four games and Johnson’s one punch KO that put Rick DiPietro out over a month, it doesn’t add up. Especially when Godard comes off the bench and double teams Haley. Shouldn’t the Pens or possibly coach Dan Byslma been fined?

3.As for Mario Lemieux’s statement:

“Hockey is a tough, physical game, and it always should be. But what happened Friday night on Long Island wasn’t hockey. It was a travesty. It was painful to watch the game I love turn into a sideshow like that. … The NHL had a chance to send a clear and strong message that those kinds of actions are unacceptable and embarrassing to the sport. It failed. We, as a league, must do a better job of protecting the integrity of the game and the safety of our players. We must make it clear that those kinds of actions will not be tolerated and will be met with meaningful disciplinary action. … If the events relating to Friday night reflect the state of the league, I need to rethink whether I want to be a part of it.”

Before I chime in on where Mario’s wrong, let’s first admit that yes he has a point about the league needing to be tougher in this area. The four-game suspension to repeat offender Matt Cooke was a joke. How does he get that after all the garbage he’s pulled? Anton Volchenkov is a clean player and received one less game for an elbow. Could the suspensions have been longer? Sure. I could’ve seen 12 for Gillies and definitely feel Martin should’ve received at least double because it was a deliberate attempt to injure. I agree with why the Islanders were upset but feel you shouldn’t break The Code to do it. Make Talbot drop his gloves first. If Super Mario’s going to get on his high horse and criticize the NHL for how it handles these delicate situations, fine. But it would be refreshing if No.66 also came out publicly and ripped Cooke a new one for his blatant disrespect. That’s not hockey.

4.As for the Islanders on the ice yesterday, what heart they’re showing. They followed up a nine-goal outburst with seven more in another unpredictable 7-6 overtime win which hurt Buffalo in the standings. The Sabres have had trouble all year with their Kryptonite losing three of four to the club who they once traded star Pat Lafontaine to in exchange for Pierre Turgeon. Other players were involved including Uwe Krupp. In a game the Sabres needed two points in with Carolina winning late at Atlanta to move up to 62 points two behind the Rangers, instead it turned into another showcase for Michael Grabner. The emerging Calder hopeful followed up his first three-point game with the first hat trick of his career. The wiz kid who both the Canucks and Panthers let go now is tied with San Jose’s Logan Couture for tops among freshmen with 24 goals following an exclamation point finish when he beat Ryan Miller for the third of the game on a fancy deke. He has a five-game point streak over which time the former Vancouver first round pick has a ridiculous nine goals and two helpers. The 23 year-old Austrian is showing why he was selected that high, finally getting the opportunity on Long Island. If nothing else, GM Garth Snow looks like a genius. Too bad we can’t say the same for his foolish support of Gillies. Anyone could’ve had Grabner and now he’s emerging into a legit finisher. Exactly what John Tavares, who notched his 21st, has needed. With Kyle Okposo (2-6-8 in 12 GP) rounding into shape and Matt Moulson (21 goals) proving last year wasn’t a fluke, suddenly the Islanders can score. No wonder they’re a point behind the sizzling Devils who are getting all the talk of a possible playoff miracle. Nobody is saying the same of the Islanders who remain without a true No.1 goalie with Al Montoya (12 saves) relieving rookie Mikko Koskinen for the victory. The Isles look to continue their torrid pace when they visit Ottawa tomorrow and return home for Boston Thursday.

5.Meanwhile, yesterday was a bitter pill for Ryan Miller to swallow. In permitting seven goals, the rating Vezina winner got testy with a couple of Buffalo News reporters who questioned whether confidence has become an issue. “Give me a break, they scored goals,” he said, after being asked how he felt by John Vogl. “I’m just frustrated.” Who could blame him? He has to start every game and play up to par for the Sabres minus Derek Roy to have any chance. Was it a bit out of character for the Team USA hero? Of course. But when reporters push buttons and even make foolish statements about how many instances he’s given up four-or-more, it’s not professional. Is the guy supposed to be happy after the weak attempt by Andrej Sekera that led to the winner? Lindy Ruff even second guessed not pulling him. But it’s not like Patrick Lalime is insurance. Newsflash: Darcy Regier, this ain’t ’03 when Lalime was nearly good enough to best Martin Brodeur in the Conference Finals.

6.How about Drew Stafford. Three more goals Sunday including the clutch tying one that gave Buffalo a point. His fourth hat trick has him up to a club-leading 23 goals- one better than Thomas Vanek despite missing 18 games. Where would the Sabres be without him?

7.Buffalo has a tough back-to-back traveling to Montreal tomorrow and then returning to HSBC for the Maple Leafs, who are no picnic thanks to rookie netminder James Reimer and the hot trio of Mikhail Grabovski, Clarke MacArthur and Nikolai Kulemin. If they want to stay in the race, this is a big week.

8.It’s too bad about Peter Forsberg, who needed only 35 minutes in his latest comeback attempt with the Avalanche to realize it wasn’t going to work. Foppa announced his retirement today. In two games, he had no points and was minus-four. At 37, the time is finally right for Forsberg to call it quits. Even with all the injuries, we’re still talking about one of the most talented players to ever play the game. Someone who was breathtaking to watch working his magic with the puck, Peter The Great will never be forgotten. It’s a shame that the Cup winner and two-time gold medalist never got to really go out on his terms. All too ironic considering who he’ll always be linked with in Eric Lindros, who suffered the same cruel fate. Sometimes, you wonder how they would’ve done if they’d stayed with their original teams before Lindros forced Quebec to trade his rights with the Flyers beating out the Rangers in an arbitration ruling that I remember like yesterday. And so, Lindros went to the City of Brotherly Love for a larger than life package that featured Forsberg, Matt Duchene, Kerry Huffman, Ron Hextall, Mike Ricci, Chris Simon, two first round picks (Jocelyn Thibault-later dealt to Habs for Patrick Roy, Nolan Baumgartner-traded to Caps) plus cash. One franchise still relocated to the Rockie Mountains becoming one of the elite winning two Cups (’96, ’01) with the dynamic duo of Forsberg and Joe Sakic making the former Nordiques a contender. Both Lindros and Forsberg won the Hart but only one lifted Lord Stanley with the Big E taking the ’97 Flyers to the Final before the Red Wings swept them. It was as close as he came. Forberg finishes with 249 goals and 636 assists for 885 points with a plus-238 rating in only 708 games. By comparison, Lindros registered 372 goals and 493 assists for 865 points with a plus-215 over 760 games. Amazing that neither ever reached 800. Sad too. Ironic that the production is so similar with Lindros breaking down more towards the end when he was a shell of himself post-lockout with Dallas and Toronto. Two great players. Will either make the Hockey Hall Of Fame???

9.How tight is the West? After top two Vancouver and Detroit, seven total points separates 10 teams vying for the remaining six with Dallas and Anaheim tied with 68 while Nashville and Phoenix have 67, San Jose has 66, Minnesota and LA are tied with 65, Calgary has 64, Chicago has 62 and rejuvenated Columbus has 61. Every year, the Western race is compelling with teams scrambling to make the cut. With so many still in the hunt, what does that mean for the trade deadline? How many teams will be sellers? In the East, the Devils are 9-0-1 in their last 10 with 48 points, still trailing eighth Carolina by 14. They meet twice this week. New Jersey believes they can do it. The Rangers are seventh with 64 while the Hurricanes have 62 with the Thrashers ninth at 60. Buffalo has 58 points and Florida has 55. Toronto also is in front of the Devils with 52 despite an OT loss that saw Ilya Kovalchuk go coast to coast for a thrilling decider last week. Even the Islanders at 47 have to believe they can make a push. Given how teams ahead have struggled, why not? That’s why it’ll be very interesting to see what happens as we get closer to February 28. A lot can happen in two weeks. Get ready!

10.Hart: 1.Steven Stamkos 2.Tim Thomas 3.Daniel Sedin

11.Vezina: 1.Tim Thomas 2.Carey Price 3.Henrik Lundqvist

12.Norris: 1.Nick Lidstrom 2.Kris Letang 3.Shea Weber

13.Calder: 1.Jeff Skinner 2.Logan Couture 3.Corey Crawford

14.Selke: 1.Ryan Kesler 2.Mike Richards 3.Brian Boyle

15.Jack Adams: 1.Barry Trotz 2.Guy Boucher 3.Todd Richards

16.Lady Byng: 1.Loui Eriksson 2.Martin St. Louis 3.Marian Gaborik

Going into Friday night’s game against the Sharks, if there’s been one team as hot as the Devils over this last month it was the team that showed up in the white and teal. Sharks coach Todd McClellan – a one-time assistant under Devils boss Jacques Lemaire – had his team on a 9-0-1 tear heading into the Rock two nights ago. And while the Devils were going into the game on an 11-1-2 roll that’s starting to get noticed around the league, they were also playing their seventh game in eleven days, and third in four nights with the first two having been dramatic OT games.

Yet, despite falling behind for the third straight game in the third period, this suddenly resilient group somehow found a way to get it done again. In a case of deja vu, Ilya Kovalchuk again played hero at 16:01 of the third period, scoring on a wrister against the grain right off a faceoff win from Travis Zajac, giving the Devils just enough offense to win on a night where they only generated three scoring chances in the first forty minutes. If the rest of the team may have been tired, at least Johan Hedberg showed no fatigue from his fifth game in eight days (one being the two-period relief appearance in Montreal) by making 31 saves and keeping the team in the game early when they didn’t have their legs.

Momentarily the Devils pulled to within 11 points of a playoff spot before Atlanta’s win over the Rangers vaulted them back into eighth place and made the number 12. With four days off before our next critical game – another home showdown with the Hurricanes – I’m trying to avoid paying attention to the standings as much as possible but know Carolina’s win over the Thrashers today put them 14 up on us for the last playoff spot. Yes, the playoffs remain a longshot at best, but nevertheless there’s a little magic in the air right now for the team with NJ on their crests. Games have gone from being over when the Devils fell behind even by one goal to just getting started.

Indeed, there was very little to watch in the first two periods Friday as the Sharks outshot the Devils in the first two periods, including a 12-2 margin in the first. There weren’t many penalties called either, the first time the refs used their whistle for anything other than a stoppage of play was when Brian Rolston was sent to the box for interference in the dying moments of the second period. Though the penalty killers did their job keeping the Sharks off the board, San Jose finally broke the ice at 6:08 of the third when Patrick Marleau scored off a rebound in front.

Rather than demoralizing this new Devils team, Marleau’s goal seemed to energize them. After a Henrik Tallinder penalty, the Devils drew two straight calls on the Sharks setting up a critical 4-on-3. With everyone in the building including me getting impatient over all the passing, finally Rolston one-timed a Kovy pass and beat Shark goalie Antti Niemi to tie the game at 9:12. Though it was just Rolston’s eighth goal of the year, he’s continued his rejuvanated play over the last month and was even in a jovial mood during the postgame when Chico Resch brought up how his being waived seemed like last season.

In a sense, anything that happened in the first half does seem like last season now. Perhaps the biggest example of this is the highest-paid player on the team. After going through the darkest stretch of his career in the first half of the season, Kovy’s been reborn under Lemaire and despite only getting one shot on net Friday, he made it count big-time, scoring his 19th goal of the season with just 3:59 remaining. Even with the fact his goal total’s going to be down compared to a ‘normal’ Kovalchuk year he’s made a lot of them count, scoring three overtime winners to go along with Friday’s decider late.

With the game in the balance, Torrey Mitchell‘s careless high-sticking penalty on Danius Zubrus essentially decided it, giving the Devils a four-minute power play with just over two minutes remaining. Thankfully Zubrus escaped relatively unharmed, other than a cut below his eye that needed stitches. Though Patrik Elias‘s empty-netter was a half-second too late to beat the buzzer, the Devils still held on for another huge one-goal victory, their fifth one-goal win in this stretch of seven games in eleven days where the team went an incredible 6-0-1. Amazingly, the team that was nineteen games under .500 at the 41-game mark is now just eight under with 26 games still to play.

After a well-deserved four days off another big week’s coming up for the guys in red and white, with two games against the Hurricanes sandwiching a Friday night home showdown with the Rangers, all big games if the Devils are going to catch up somehow since both teams are also fighting for the last couple of spots in the East. And yet, despite these being big games they’re also house money ones…I mean, who would have thought it even possible to have big games at this point of the season from where we were? I’m just hoping it continues for as long as possible now that this team’s finally fun to watch for the first time in a year.

By now, you’ve seen the mass destruction that took place last night between the Islanders and Penguins. The Long Island hosts avenged a 3-0 shutout defeat nine days ago in which Pens’ forward Max Talbot blindsided Blake Comeau, concussing him. That game also featured Rick DiPietro receiving a one punch knockdown courtesy of Pittsburgh backup Brent Johnson- sending him out of action four to six weeks with a broken jaw. The Islanders didn’t care for the laughter the Pens bench had following the incident. Last night, it all boiled over with the Isles doing significant damage on the scoreboard (9-3) while also brutalizing anyone in a Pens jersey.

In a game reminiscent of Slap Shot, the Islanders and Penguins combined for 15 fights, 10 game misconducts and 346 penalty minutes. Was it excessive? Absolutely. There was no need to go overboard in the third with the game decided. The Islanders led 8-2 and had already made their point with Micheal Haley pounding Craig Adams into submission and goon Matt Martin going out of his way to flatten Talbot who wanted no part of it. But they didn’t stop in the third with Haley beating up Talbot and then skating across the ice to challenge Johnson, who was more than willing to go. It only got worse when former Islander enforcer Eric Godard came off the Pittsburgh bench to interrupt that fight while getting in a few punches, making it an unfair two-on-one. At that point, it was expected in a game that would’ve made Paul Newman’s Reggie Dunlop proud and The Hansons. This was old-time hockey dating back to the 70’s.

We’d already seen this between the Bruins and Canadiens with Boston pounding Montreal in similar fashion two days prior. That game had nearly half the minutes and scraps. Go figure. I could tell almost from the outset what was going to happen. Both teams came out physical. Two fights including career AHLer Trevor Gillies against Godard were just the appetizer. Gillies, who went out of his way to deck poor rookie Eric Tangradi concussing the Pens forward- should be suspended and fined. Thing is he’ll probably go back down along with Martin and probably Haley. So, what will the NHL decision be? Godard’s facing a mandatory 10-game ban for leaving the bench. Both coaches should be suspended for their involvement and we’re sure the NHL will come down hard on the Islanders with a hefty fine.

We’ll try to upload more videos of the chaos and perhaps another post on one of the wackiest games ever. Or as Tony Granato labeled it, “The most embarrassed he’s felt,” to be involved in a game. Well, when your team dishes it out with guys like Matt Cooke, Talbot and even All-Star Kris Letang playing on the edge, at some point you have to expect someone to hit back. Last night, the Islanders did, mugging the Pens. It doesn’t make it right. Maybe if Gary Bettman had a brain, there’d be no instigator and fake tough guys like Cooke would be made accountable for their actions on the ice. There’s no respect anymore and that’s why you’re seeing more and more of these ugly incidents, which do not help the league. But hey, we’re sure the powers to be are proud. Why else would E-Z Target Sean Avery rip the refs for a missed Eric Boulton late elbow following a whistle? This is the NHL’s mess. Hope you’re happy.

Both the Sabres and Islanders were winners last night making it three-for-three for Battle clubs. While Ilya Kovalchuk continued the Devils’ tear with a beautiful end to end rush beating rookie James Reimer, the Sabres used Tyler Myers’ OT winner with four seconds left to edge the Panthers 3-2- cutting the Canes’ deficit to two. Yes, Buffalo suddenly is right on the heels of the eighth seed and with Carolina losing in Philly 2-1 and the Thrashers and Rangers slumping, Buffalo suddenly is right there.

Meanwhile, the Islanders got an exciting 4-3 shootout win over the Canadiens. Michael Grabner tallied twice for numbers 19 and 20.

More later.

If you want a symbol of just how preposterous this month has been for the Devils, you need look no further than Ilya Kovalchuk‘s overtime winning goal tonight to find one. In a move that Devils fans have been waiting for since he was traded here just over a year ago, Kovy went on a sick end-to-end rush that looked like he hit the turbo button video-game style, skating around both Leaf defensemen and sneaking a wristshot past Leaf goalie James Reimer. Reimer (a recent callup that’s been playing well) was sensational with 37 saves on the night, but finally got beaten by a great player who’s now starting to show his talent as a Devil.

It’s been a while since the halcyon days of Martin Brodeur vs. Curtis Joseph in the playoffs and the antics of Tie Domi and Darcy Tucker spicing up a great rivalry a decade ago but tonight’s Leafs-Devils game in Toronto was worthy of that past history, and with good reason since both teams are fighting for a playoff spot – and it’s preposterous to say that as a Devil fan but now there has to be a ring of truth to it. What was a 27-point deficit a month ago has been cut more in half, to 13 thanks to tonight’s results (with Carolina also losing in regulation at Philly).

Going into the game, despite the team’s big win against the Canes two nights ago they were coming in under a bit of a cloud after the heavy-handed three game suspension of defenseman Anton Volchenkov for an elbow on Jay Harrison in that game. Sometimes I can’t stand this league…Volchenkov, a first-time offender and clean player throughout his career gets three games for something that was admittedly a penalty and suspendable play but really not all that bad. At least not when you compare it to Matt Cooke, a repeat offender and dirty player who only got one more game for his umpteenth reviewable hit, and a boarding penalty that was far worse than Volchenkov’s errant elbow (which he tried to pull up on a bit).

At best I look at it as a miscarriage of justice, at worst I wouldn’t be surprised if the league added an extra game just to spite us, since the third game Volchenkov will miss is our second showdown with the Hurricanes next Wednesday. Not to mention we didn’t get a single penalty call in our favor for almost five periods of hockey until late in the second tonight. It’s already been documented that the Devils were persona non grata with the league in the late ’80’s after Donutgate, I wouldn’t be shocked if the league was giving us the business (still) even after taking their pound of flesh for the Kovy nonsense this summer.

In any case, Mark Fraser replaced Volchenkov in the lineup after sitting out the last four games and didn’t play all that great with just over fourteen minutes and two minor penalties, but hey that was one less than Volchenkov two nights ago. And once again Johan Hedberg was in net for Brodeur, who (surprise, suprise) is now day-to-day which will soon turn to week-to-week with an inoperable knee injury. Even GM Lou Lamoriello admitted Brodeur will have to rehab his knee before returning so it seems as if the affable Swede will be between the pipes for the forseeable future.

Yet in spite of having no Brodeur, Volchenkov and the continued absence of Zach Parise, this Devils team continues to find ways to win. Usually it’s been by getting ahead and staying ahead but in the last two games the team’s rallied from behind – twice coming back from one-goal deficits against the Canes and again having to overcome a deficit after a broken play 5:18 into the second period where Hedberg made several saves before finally Phil Kessel made a pretty pass to Nikolai Kulemin in front for an unstoppable goal, especially with defenseman Colin White unable to help out in front after losing his stick.

Trailing by one going into the third period, with Reimer continuing his hot play since being called up things looked bad. Enter Mark Fayne and Danius Zubrus. Fayne – in his first year from Providence College – has shown a talent for getting the puck to the net and he did so again with a shot that found Zubrus’s stick in front for a sweet deflection goal at 3:23, Zubie’s eleventh of the season. Leading point-getter Patrik Elias also had an assist on Zubrus’s goal, as that line continued its steady play. With the game tied, the Devils threw everything at the Leafs to try to get a regulation winner, a refreshing change from the sit back and get a point mentality so many teams have these days.

Of course with our precarious position two points is essential on most nights, especially when you can keep a team in front of you from getting one, but despite the team’s best efforts it looked like we were going to be headed to a shootout to settle the matter of the second point – until Kovy struck with the team’s biggest goal of the year. Yes, it was the big Russian’s third OT winner of the year but neither of the first two were quite as spectacular as this one, which will now thankfully replace his shootout flub against the Sabres earlier in the season as the signature moment for #17 in 2010-11. Fellow ex-Thrasher Anssi Salmela got the assist on Kovy’s eighteenth goal of the year, and he played well in his own right getting over twenty minutes of icetime without any of the shakiness that characterized his play a few nights ago against the Panthers.

With this game behind them, the Devils now have one more task tomorrow night in this brutal stretch of seven games in eleven nights (5-0-1 so far) before getting a well-deserved four days off – facing off against the Sharks, who are almost as hot as we are with their five straight wins. Not to mention they come in with a Calder Trophy favorite in Logan Couture. But hey, this team’s already done the improbable just in getting back to nine games under .500 and thirteen points back of a playoff spot with twenty-seven left to play. Might as well keep defying the odds and remain unbeaten in regulation during this brutal eleven-day post All-Star break stretch.

Notes: Jacques Lemaire reached a milestone tonight, getting the six hundredth win of his career. Congratulations to the coach, who had a beaming smile on the bench when his pet project (Kovy) scored the winner. Our only lineup change from Wednesday besides subbing Fraser for the suspended Volchenkov was replacing Tim Sestito with Adam Mair.

Normally, I only get to do Ranger recaps. Especially with my blogging limited to the New York Public Library. Rather than relive another frustrating Ranger loss in which they saw their shadow, I figured it’s time to chime in on what’s happening around the league. Without further notice, in no particular order:

1.The Devils’ 10-1-2 run has got them within 15 points of eighth. Amazing considering at one point they were like 10-29. Ilya Kovalchuk has turned his year around and Jacques Lemaire is once again proving why he’s such a good coach- squeezing whatever he can out of Brian Rolston, Dainius Zubrus and kids Nick Palmeiri and Mattias Tedenby. Can they make the playoffs? Well, considering how weak the competition is, they have a slight chance. But one slip up could prove costly. Simply put, just keep winning and anything’s possible.

2.The Sabres are only a few points off eighth themselves. Boosted by Drew Stafford’s latest hat trick that hiked his total to 20 goals in a stunning 7-4 come from behind win over second seeded Tampa, Buffalo has a more realistic shot at making it. It all depends on Ryan Miller and whether Tyler Myers can turn it on. In the mean time, they’re getting inspired play from Stafford, Thomas Vanek, Jordan Leopold (actual Regier steal) and rookie Tyler Ennis. If they’re to be taken seriously, then tonight’s a must win at Florida who are two points behind.

3.Speaking of the Panthers, I know Dale Tallon used to be the Blackhawks’ GM but that doesn’t mean he gets to hook up his former team. What on earth was he thinking dealing away Michael Frolik and goalie prospect Alexander Salak to Chitown for Jack Skille, Hugh Jessiman and David Pacan. Yes! That Jessiman. Skille could evolve into a solid player but Frolik has higher end skill and Salak is tearing up the Swedish Elite League. It says here that this could be one of those deals that’s a steal for the Blackhawks.

4.Does anyone have worse luck than the Islanders? Rick DiPietro goes down again after foolishly engaging Matt Cooke, leading to a one punch knockdown by Brent Johnson. Then, Kevin Poulin trips over a rut in the ice during warmups the other night finishing the poor rookie for the season and forcing Mikko Koskinen into his first start a half hour prior- an Islander 5-3 loss. Now, GM Garth Snow is banking on former Rangers’ first round bust Al Montoya, who he acquired last night for a pick. It just amazes. Does Montoya debut for the Islanders tonight in Montreal fresh off a beatdown literally from nemesis Boston? Could the timing be any worse?

5.Speaking of the beatdown the Bruins put on the Canadiens last night in one of the all-time greatest regular season games, what can you say about their revenge following Max Pacioretty’s antics last time out when he celebrated an OT winner by shoving Boston captain Zdeno Chara? It was a hockey civil war at TD Garden with one of the most heated rivalries going back and forth literally in a game that featured 14 combined goals, 182 penalty minutes including at least eight fights and a rivalry record eight goals in the second period with seven coming in just over a six-minute span! This was armageddon or as we love to reference from hockey classic Slap Shot, “Old-Time Hockey!!!!!” Indeed, Eddie Shore and Paul Newman’s Reggie Dunlop character along with The Hanson Brothers would’ve been proud. Even All-Star goalies Carey Price and Tim Thomas got involved in a wrestling match with Price wisely not hitting Thomas while he was down for risk of injury. That along with Benoit Pouliot letting up on a fallen David Krejci were the only signs of respect. When you have a line brawl that features 11 different players in the penalty boxes with the Boston crew entertaining the crowd by alternating Habs and Bruins to boos and cheers, you got something special. Even if the Bruins went out of their way to exact revenge with Nathan Horton getting right in PK Subban’s face, igniting it. There was also Johnny Boychuk pounding Jaroslav Spacek and poor Tom Pyatt bloodied by Greg Campbell. The level of insanity was absurd. Underrated B’s rookie Brad Marchand ran James Wisniewski after an icing that had NHL Network’s panel labeling him dirty. This was classic throwdown hockey at its best. The rematch is March 7 with the other meeting on my Dad’s birthday, March 24 next month. Get your popcorn ready!

6.Don’t you just love how Brian Burke keeps reacquiring his own players from the Ducks. This time, he unloaded Francois Beauchemin back to Anaheim where the defenseman won a Cup under Burke for oft-injured Joffrey Lupul and Burke ’07 first round pick Jake Gardiner. It looks like a good deal for both sides with Anaheim boosting their blueline while the Leafs get a prospect for the future. We’re not sure what to expect from Lupul, whose salary is over four million. Staying healthy would be advisable.

7.Jonas Gustavsson isn’t going anywhere. Especially after being removed from a Marlies blowout of the Whale yesterday after a heart issue. Even if minor, who is going to take a chance on the Swede who’s lost his confidence? At least rookie James Reimer looks legit thus far. With breakout seasons for Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin along with Clarke MacArthur, things are looking up for the Leafs as they take on the Devils tonight. What it all means for much rumored Tomas Kaberle who gets Beauchemin’s ‘A’ remains to be seen. You just never know what Burke’s thinking. You have to figure close buddy Ron Wilson’s gone after the season with his relationship with Phil Kessel sour. Who knows what Toronto will look like next Fall?

8.Is it a tad ironic how well Calgary’s played since Jay Feaster replaced Christmas grinch Darryl Suter upstairs? The Flames aren’t the most talented but everyone’s chipping in and they suddenly find themselves in if the season ended today while defending champion Chicago would be out. We can’t see that continuing.

9.Whatever happened to Marian Hossa, superstar?

10.So, Peter Forsberg’s coming back again for the struggling Avs? Does he got anything left? Foppa looked good at last year’s Olympics but competing in the NHL everyday is stressful. Forsberg’s one of the all-time great talents having won Olympic gold twice, Lord Stanley, Art Ross and Hart Trophy. His legacy remains intact regardless if this comeback succeeds. But when you look at all the injuries, isn’t it a little sad/ironic that his career has taken a similar path to link Eric Lindros? You know Lindros probably will never make the Hockey Hall Of Fame despite excellent numbers along with an MVP. But Forsberg probably will due to having more hardware and not being pampered his whole life. The Quebec controversy and the way his Flyers’ career ended which we still blame on Bobby Clarke along with all the concussions overshadow Lindros’ contributions. One of the most dominant big men to ever play the game. Why else does Patrick Kane wear No.88? It just makes you wonder.

11.I’m a former top finisher. I scored 42 goals last season and a career high 86 points in my first season on Broadway. Have You Seen Me?

12.With Sid The Kid still uncertain when he’ll return from a concussion, here’s our top Hart candidates:

A.Steven Stamkos, TB: 40-43-73
B.Daniel Sedin, Van: 29-43-72
C.Tim Thomas, Bos: 26 Wins, 1.91 GAA, .942 Save Pct, 7 SHO
D.Ryan Kesler, Van: 32-22-54, 10 PPG, 6 GW

13.Finally, Matt Cooke got suspended four games for boarding Fedor Tyutin from behind in the Pens’ 4-1 home loss to the Blue Jackets. What is there left to say about a man who once was a good hockey player minus the cheap tactics he’s performed since donning a Pens’ jersey? I recall a time when Cooke was a pretty clean player for the Canucks. One I respected. He then was dealt to the Caps. Is it ironic that he stuck his leg out at Alex Ovechkin in similar fashion to Ovi’s trip that injured Olympic Russian teammate Sergei Gonchar two Springs prior? We doubt it. Cooke always lived dangerously injuring players and usually getting away with it. This time, the league finally took action. We all know the history with Marc Savard, who is shutdown again following another concussion. This isn’t about one severe head shot but about a player who goes out of his way to injure opponents. What happened to him? Did he sell his soul to the Devil? One day, someone’s going to get Cooke. Then, we’ll see how he likes it and what the same foolish fans who defend him have to say.

14.A shame about Evgeni Malkin, who’s been plagued with knee problems all year. The gifted Russian who won the Conn Smythe in the Pens’ third Stanley Cup two years ago will have season ending ACL/MCL surgery. He’s expected to be back in time for training camp. We’ll see. Wishing one of the game’s special talents a speedy recovery.

During the Devils’ 9-1-2 stretch going into last night’s game against the eighth-seeded Hurricanes, the Devils have cut a once insurmountable 27-point playoff deficit to a still-formidable 16. Our three-game ‘series’ against Carolina (three games in the next twelve days, including last night) might be the closest thing to a playoff series we have this year, since those games will either provide an opportunity to really get back in the race or finally end this spectacular run.

While the Devils’ 3-2 OT win only got them one point closer in a game where they could have easily gotten the two-point difference of a regulation win, it still had the feel of a big victory. Even if this Devils team falls short of the playoffs, their future keeps getting brighter and brighter, as young Swede Mattias Tedenby scored two goals (including the OT winner) and fellow rookie Nick Palmeri got the tying goal late in the third to give their team a much-needed win.

Yet, as Jacques Lemaire pointed out in his postgame press conference there were a lot of things that were annoying about last night’s game. For one, the team didn’t exactly start out very well – sluggishly, in fact. At one point in the first period we were being outshot 7-2 and only had thirteen shots on net through the first two periods total. Specifically, Anton Volchenkov had a poor game taking three minor penalties and all but getting benched after the third one (a delay of game midway through the third period), which cost the team when Carolina’s wunderkid Jeff Skinner scored his second goal of the game within six seconds of the power play’s opening.

Our penalty killing was poor, going 1-3 although you couldn’t blame the defense as much for Skinner’s first goal and the first of the game by either team, a shortside floater that went through Johan Hedberg at 9:22 of the second. You could see the vet Hedberg’s frustration after the goal as he slammed his blocker on the ice. And our power play? Don’t ask…we didn’t even get an opportunity with the man advantage. Personally I felt that the refs missed several obvious calls on the Canes but Lemaire chose to take a different tact and put the blame on the team for not drawing penalties.

Here, I disagree with the coach in that the Devils did more than enough to draw penalties in the third period, when they dominated play and outshot the Canes 19-5 (19-3 at even strength, since Carolina got two shots on their six-second power play). Usually that kind of dominance gets rewarded with a call at some point. Even with that, the team still had plenty of opportunities to get the two points in regulation including a shot by Jason Arnott outside the blueline that somehow eluded Cam Ward midway through the third, but rang off the post.

Arnott did at least have a hand in the Devils’ first goal earlier in the game just a couple of minutes after Skinner’s potentially deflating opener in the second. It was a play that started when Colin White intentionally shot a puck wide that rebounded to Arnott, who made a nice spin-a-rama pass to Tedenby in front, and the rookie put it home for his sixth of the season at 11:31. Still, the Devils were down 2-1 in the final four minutes – the season was on the line, folks – until Ilya Kovalchuk skated into the zone, drawing the attention of four Hurricanes, which left wide-open real estate for Palmeri in front to put home a rebound from a Kovy slapshot at 17:06 to tie the game.

Even at this late juncture the Devils still had the opportunity to turn one point into two during regulation but missed a couple of great chances in the final minute, including Patrik Elias getting robbed by Ward on the doorstep with just under thirty seconds left when it seemed as if he had a wide open net to score in. At this point Lemaire by his own admission took a chance, and played Tedenby in the overtime. Tedenby played just a shade under nine minutes in the game, but made every second count and put home the winner at 2:42 of the extra period, getting a big assist on the goal by Travis Zajac. Zajac took both defensemen out of the play – one by skating to the net and the other by skating into him – leaving a wide open front of the net for the rookie to skate in and put his second of the game by Ward.

Though there’s still a long way to go to even dream of a playoff spot – we’re still ten games under and my rule of thumb is talk to me when we’re at .500 (Lemaire went further, saying he won’t talk about the playoffs until we’re two points back), at least pride has been restored to the sweater at last. A team decried for lack of heart and character for the second half of last year and the first half of this year is suddenly showing it in gobs. And a long, cold winter of meaningless games suddenly has some juice to it.

BoNY Three Stars:

1. Mattias Tedenby (two goals, +2)
2. Nick Palmeri (goal, +1 with 15:58 TOI)
3. Jeff Skinner (two PP goals, -2)

Suddenly, Henrik Lundqvist is riding the pine. The King has slumped since his best game of the year- a 1-0 shutout of the Canucks at MSG last month. Having let in questionable goals in each of his last four starts, John Tortorella has decided to give our franchise netminder a breather by playing Martin Biron a second consecutive game. Since relieving Lundqvist in a 3-2 home loss to the Devils, all Biron has done is allow one goal on 36 shots. Albeit a flukey one by ex-Ranger Scott Gomez, who picked up a hard carom of an Alexandre Picard wide shot and went upstairs during the Canadiens’ 2-0 shutout Saturday.

So, Biron gets the call again in Detroit against a very skilled Red Wing team that even minus Pavel Datsyuk and Tomas Holmstrom can score in bunches. They enter having been blanked consecutively. Figure Henrik Zetterberg, Nick Lidstrom, Johan Franzen and Company to play with an edge. Especially with Nashville breathing down their necks. In their proud history, the Red Wings have never been shutout three straight times. I highly expect Biron to keep them off the scoreboard tonight. But that also means this MIA act by Marian Gaborik has to end. There have been too many games where our most dangerous sniper hasn’t been noticeable. With his ice-time dwindling including on our dreadful power play that fired blanks on four in a row in en empty second at Molson Centre, it’s time for No.10 to resemble the guy who scored 43 goals last year. Tonight is as good a place as any to start.

Hopefully, our guys who are on their first four-game skid of the season will turn it up and snap out of it. They’re only making it harder on themselves.

After stubbing their toe on Friday, the Devils made sure they didn’t fall into a pothole this afternoon, coming out with a purpose early against the Habs and hanging on late despite the fact that Martin Brodeur left the game due to injury (tweaked knee, supposedly day-to-day but with this medical staff you have to remain skeptical). New Jersey’s 4-1 win – our sixth in a row at the Bell Centre – was especially satisfying for Ilya Kovalchuk, who for reasons known only to them was booed mercilessly by Hab fans every time he touched the puck. Kovy responded the best way possible with two goals, for the second time in three games dominating in front of a hostile crowd. Despite his uneven play Friday night, that’s encouraging in itself.

Granted, I get why Kovy gets booed in Atlanta and LA (contract issues) and at the Garden because of his rivalry with ‘favorite son’ Avery. Heck, I’m not even surprised at the boos in Toronto because of the nonsense this offseason with Brian Burke getting involved in the Kovalchuk contract hearing. Today’s booing seemed pretty random though…if they’re gonna boo the best player than boo Brodeur – who’s a thorn in the side of their team, of course they won’t do that for obvious reasons.

With Brodeur in net, that figured to give the Devils an edge in a matchup of two of the league’s hottest teams given the hometown kid’s career record in Montreal, which includes a .945 save percentage and five shutouts. However, the first period was about Devil domination more than anything else as the team came out with a purpose after blowing Friday’s game with Danius Zubrus scoring after just seventy-two seconds, pouncing on a turnover behind the net and beating Carey Price with some quick stickwork in front for his tenth goal of the season. At 4:04 Kovy scored his first of the game and 16th of the year with a sick deflection of a Colin White point shot, and celebrated emphatically in front of the booing fans.

Although Brodeur made eleven saves, one of them proved costly when he tweaked his knee and didn’t return for the second period. Despite being out for the rest of the game, Brodeur would add to his record wins total thanks to some good, controlled play by Johan Hedberg and an insurance goal by Travis Zajac just 3:16 into the second. Hedberg only allowed one goal, a shot by P.K. Subban that deflected off a defenseman and past him to pull the Habs back to 3-1, and there the game remained until Kovy scored an empty-net ‘goal’. Actually Kovy missed the empty net but was previously hooked on a clear breakaway so it counted as an automatic goal at 18:39, accounting for the final score in a 4-1 win that pulled New Jersey back to within sixteen points of the final playoff spot.

Yeah okay I admit it, I have started to think in terms of ‘well, a win Tuesday at least can get us back to 14 and makes it somewhat interesting’ since we’re playing the eighth-seed Hurricanes in a critical matchup. Not only are the two home games against Carolina this month a must-win, they’re pretty much a must-win in regulation if we have any shot of accomplishing the miracle of miracle comebacks. Despite his good play today, I’m not anxious to see Hedberg in net Tuesday. Not if he’s going to try too hard and put himself wildly out of position the way he did Friday. From what I saw of the second and third periods at my friend’s house for a Super Bowl party, Hedberg looked much more controlled this afternoon. Zajac also had an excellent game with two assists to go along with his goal, but it was Kovy who stole the show playing over twenty-five minutes with two goals and a +2 in what was (imo) his best game as a Devil to date.

For the Devils to keep up their run to .500 or better, Kovy’s going to have to be a dominant player again and it looks like he’s getting more and more comfortable both offensively and defensively since the return of Jacques Lemaire. Maybe the team’s success has finally gotten Lemaire thinking of a possible return, since just two weeks after he flatly denied he’d come back he didn’t rule it out entirely talking to one of the local reporters today. For whatever issues I have with Lemaire (the power play being one, his treatment of Matthais Tedenby being another), he has at least curtailed the mad line juggling that drove me up a wall last year and that’s been a change for the better. If he can unlock the key to assimilating Kovy to the Devils, it’d certainly be worth having him around next year to finish the job.

The bad Hab-it continues. The Canadiens’ mastery of the Rangers once again was too much for our team to overcome. Even in a game they deserved a better fate, it didn’t matter because Carey Price stood tall turning aside all 35 Ranger shots in a 2-0 win at Bell Centre this afternoon. Not only did they fall short but now have dropped four in a row dating back to that wacky loss to the Panthers where Mike Weaver’s shot went in off Artem Anisimov. Three of the losses have come at home with the other against a team they just can’t beat. The Habs improved to 3-0 this season winning all tight games.

The 0-2-2 mark has the Blueshirts just four up on both Carolina and Atlanta thanks to the Hurricanes’ 4-3 overtime win that just ended. Oh. And the way it’s been going, of course the Canes would allow the Thrashers to tie it in the final minute before Erik Cole won it- drawing the Canes even with the slumping Thrahsers for eighth. Each has 58 points but Carolina played only its 53rd game compared to Atlanta’s 55th and our 56th. So, they have games in hand as well. With another difficult match coming at Original Six Detroit on dreaded Versus before a few days off with Atlanta next, the sooner the Blueshirts snap out of a funk that’s seen them lose seven of 10, the better off for their playoff chances.

This wasn’t about a sluggish start as had been the case in recent weeks plaguing our club. It was more about Price, who made some money stops and our anemic offense with again the powerless play the main culprit. How else to explain blowing four consecutive power plays in the second and not even making a dent before of all people, Scott Gomez scored a crusher to snap a scoreless tie late in the stanza? It would figure that a wide Alexandre Picard point shot would carom off the Habs’ ridiculous boards right to a vacated Gomez, who patiently took his time before going upstairs on starter Martin Biron. Biron btw was quite good making 27 saves. So, aside from a flukey bounce, since coming in for Henrik Lundqvist, all Marty’s done is stop 33 of 34. If your team can’t score, you got no shot.

Only this time, it’s our steady backup that was victimized by our fading offense. Has anyone seen Marian Gaborik? It’s getting to the point where you half expect his mug to be on the back of a milk cartoon with the slogan:

“HAVE YOU SEEN THIS PERSON? IF SO, PLEASE CONTACT THE NYRANGERS AT 2 PENN PLAZA IMMEDIATELY.”

Okay. No one is saying he isn’t trying. But a couple of days removed from some lazy turnovers in an MIA performance which John Tortorella again called him out, Gabby registered two shots and was minus-one in under 15 minutes. Unless he’s finishing, Gaborik is a waste of space, which makes you wonder if maybe our organization would be better off exploring trading the superstar. I know it seems like a stretch because of the hefty price tag and also we’re still talking about one of the elite snipers when on. So, what has happened to the Great Gabby??? Outside of lighting up three of the worst teams this season to the tune of 10 goals, he’s scored only six in the other 38!!!!!! That is insane. Tort has tried every possible line combo that it makes one ponder if we’re gonna have to bring back the Renney shuffle which always had jailed Petr Prucha as a healthy scratch.

Vinny Prospal has already shown more in two games than his more gifted linemate. How much catering can our coach do without screwing with the rest of the chemistry? And Chris Drury wasn’t in to critique for this one with his knee being drained. Yep. Another injury for our battered captain who you know will sacrifice even if he couldn’t score into a whore house. Does Gaborik ever lay it on the line ever? Maybe I’m overreacting. But it’s getting increasingly frustrating watching the rest of our team give it their best while the ghost wearing No.10 resembles Nigel Dawes. At least the ex-Ranger got dirty. I don’t have an explanation for Gaborik who should be over his shoulder separation unless it’s like Jaromir Jagr after that brutal arm injury at the end of Game One versus the Devils in ’06 First Round.

The excuses have to stop. Lundqvist never makes any when he has off nights, always at his locker to discuss what went wrong. I’m not inferring that Gaborik isn’t but I just can’t make any more excuses for what’s supposed to be our best offensive player.

Sean Avery saw increased time with Brian Boyle and Brandon Prust, who were our most effective trio late as Price closed out his fifth shutout of the season (eighth career). They worked the puck down low and generated chances but Price was too strong- stifling a pointblank Avery opportunity with Biron pulled in the final 70 seconds. Eventually, our joke of a power play came back to bite us when Tomas Plekanec erased all doubt, sending the Rangers to their latest loss.

So, what to expect now with what should be an angry Detroit having been shutout two straight by an aggregate 6-0 margin against Columbus and Nashville? Uh. This probably doesn’t bode well. Even if Jimmy Howard’s having a sophomore slump, even an injury plagued Winged Wheel is much better skilled than our grinders. Just imagine the havoc five-goal scorer Johan Franzen might create. Henrik Zetterberg, Nick Lidstrom, Todd Bertuzzi and Dan Cleary are still healthy along with Brian Rafalski. And if Boyle’s suspended for his hit on Jaroslav Spacek who thankfully wasn’t hurt, oh joy. 😛

Well, I wouldn’t worry too much. Lundqvist should be better. So, we at least should have the edge there. Let’s hope they carry forward how they played because on most days, it’ll be good enough. Just not against Devils North.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Scott Gomez, Canadiens (deciding goal at 18:34 of 2nd)
2nd Star-Martin Biron, Rangers (27 saves)
1st Star-Carey Price, Canadiens (35 saves incl. 19/19 in 3rd for 5th SHO)