Battle Of Hudson

For those of you who’ve seen this cute early ’90’s movie, the general premise is that a weatherman (Bill Murray) wakes up to relive the same day over and over again – Groundhog Day in Punxsutatwney, Pennsylvania. Just as Murray’s character was stuck in a seemingly neverending time-loop so too is the life of a Devils fan these days. Doesn’t matter what game you go to or watch, it almost always has the same conclusion, with the Devils’ defense blowing either a late lead or tie.

Unbelievably just in the last eight days alone, the Devils have blown two leads in the last thirty seconds of regulation and a tie in the last thirty seconds of overtime – all at home to boot, a stretch that would defy credulity, if it wasn’t our defense pulling off that impressive feat. Yet if these eight days were the only stretch where the Devils’ defense wet their pants when the game was on the line, you could write it off as a bad stretch, a bug that they’d eventually get rid of. However, this has been a problem since last season’s playoffs, where the Devils blew games (and eventually the series) to Carolina in every way imaginable.

Blowing a tie in last year’s Game 4 with .2 seconds left and allowing two goals in the final eighty seconds of Game 7 turning a lead into a devastating loss cast a dark cloud over this franchise that only playoff success will alleviate. Because now every late blown lead exacerbates the ghosts that much more. Just off the top of my head here’s a list of games (all since late January) that have added to the late-game angst around the Rock:

1/29 – Devils lead Toronto 4-2, blow it in the final five minutes before winning in OT
1/31 – Devils lead LA 2-1 with under a minute and a half to go and then give up two goals in a situation eerily similar to Game 7
2/8 – Devils lead Flyers 2-0 late in the second period before blowing that one
3/2 – Devils lead Sharks 4-0 before giving up three third-period goals and reminding us of the lousy late-game hockey we didn’t have to see during the Olympic break
3/25 – Devils blow three leads against the Rangers including the final one with under half a minute remaining, lose in a shootout
3/30 – Devils blow a scoreless tie against the Bruins in the last half minute of overtime
4/2 – Devils blow a 1-0 lead against the Hawks in the final twenty seconds

One common denominator I’ve harped on has been the absence of Paul Martin on the ice during these critical late-game situations, obviously the first couple of those games he missed when he was on the shelf but including Game 7 last year I really can’t think of one instance where he was on the ice late. Tonight followed the same pattern with Andy Greene and Mike Mottau on the ice in those final seconds as another Devils lead evaporated, although Jacques Lemaire’s forward line choice was even more bizarre, as he sent Patrik Elias, Ilya Kovalchuk…and Vladimir Zharkov on the ice for that last shift.

What’s wrong with having one of our best lines out there? Nothing except for the fact Elias can’t win faceoffs if it came to another late-game icing (not that anyone else was tonight either), Kovalchuk is bad in his own zone and Zharkov is bad away from his own zone. True, Zharkov had an assist on Kovalchuk’s first period goal that gave the Devils that lead and played a mostly effective sixteen plus minutes but still…I couldn’t help but think the only reason to have him and that line out there was to get Zharkov his first NHL goal finally, and that was a colossal mistake if that was indeed the thinking. Sure enough, that line couldn’t clear a puck and eventually Kris Versteeg threw one on net that glanced off of Mottau’s skate and in with just twenty-six seconds left.

Lemaire’s shootout order was almost as bizarre, as he put Zach Parise second, instead of his customary first or the closer’s role of third and put Jamie Langenbrunner leadoff in his place, the same Langenbrunner that was outright skipped in the Devils’ last shootout. Both Langenbrunner and Parise were stoned by the Hawks’ Antti Niemi and Johnathan Toews scored on Martin Brodeur, giving the Hawks a 1-0 lead going into the final shot, to be taken by…Kovalchuk. Yes, the same Kovalchuk that was also passed over in that last shootout against the Rangers and who historically is just not good on breakaways. Sure enough, he got stopped too and the game ended with that last save by Niemi.

Still, as much as I want to bag on a defense that let’s face it, just isn’t clutch (Jennings Trophy or not) – you have to put some blame on the offense too. Against a team that had lost three of its last four games to Columbus and St. Louis with a depleted defense that has both Brian Campbell and Kim Johnsson on the shelf, the Devils really sustained little attack after the first period. Despite his nearly forty goals on the season, Parise’s gone through a rough stretch lately and couldn’t even put one in an empty net when he blocked an attempted clear by Niemi – who had wandered way out of his net – but by the time Parise could retrieve the puck and put a shot on goal, three Blackhawks had converged on the crease and the play died there.

For his part, Brodeur really couldn’t have been asked to do more although his own mishandled clearing nearly led to a goal in the first period if not for a timely Martin Skoula block. Brodeur was in the zone stopping the puck though, and when he made a terrific glove save off a deflection with just over three minutes left I thought he was going to get the shutout, just as I thought we were in good shape with five minutes left in Game 7. I guess I should learn by now that there are no done deals with this Devils defense.

Does it really matter now that Kovalchuk got his 40th goal of the season at 5:49 of the first (assisted by both Zharkov and Elias) or that the Devils for the most part actually played a good game and the point they did get put them in front of Pittsburgh again on a tiebreaker with just five games left for each team? Not when the same problem that has plagued this franchise for nearly a year keeps getting worse and worse by the day. Despite the talent on this team, the fact they’re 6-0 against the Penguins and have beaten other good teams like the Caps, Sharks and Wings, how can you really have any confidence in them to do anything in the playoffs? When they’re 12-15-6 in their last 33 games and every single late lead is an adventure?

Just another couple of random comments before I close…one as badly as I criticized the refs three nights ago, where the heck were they tonight?! Not a single penalty was called in sixty-five minutes of play, I can’t remember the last time that happened. I guess the refs are going on strike and don’t want to earn a paycheck? So much for the ‘new NHL standard’ since basically they’ve become spectators at our games.

Two, a tip of the cap to one of my favorites on the other side (no, not John Madden – who did get a deserved round of applause when he was announced in the starting lineup), forward/defenseman Dustin Byfuglien. After playing forward for most of the season, he’s been switched back to defense due to the Blackhawks’ injuries down the stretch and played a whopping 25:38 – second only to Duncan Keith, and had a team-leading five shots on net including a couple of really good chances that Brodeur did well to stop. Big Buff, as he’s called, also had the primary assist on the Versteeg goal that sent the Rock into Vietnam-style flashbacks once again.

And guess how the Devils get to spend the rest of their night and early morning? Catching a red-eye (yet again) to Carolina. Can’t this league ever give us a road game down there where we’re not playing a home game the night before?! This is the fourth time in a row over two regular seasons we’ve had to play them on the road the night after a home game, which is a severe disadvantage. If we have to continue to take red-eyes there, can Gary Bettman at least make them play at home and come up here the next night once?

Oh well, never fear Devils fans…there’s always baseball season. Oh wait, that only benefits those of us who are Yankees fans, it’ll be just more of the same for us Mets fans. More Groundhog Days.

BoNY Three Stars:

1. Antti Niemi (32/33 saves)
2. Dustin Byfuglien (assist, 5 SOG in 25:38)
3. Martin Brodeur (25/26 saves)

Jaroslav Halak blanks the Flyers, stopping all 35 shots to lead the Canadiens to a huge 1-0 win at a furious Wachovia Center which booed lustily as one would expect. Tomas Plekanec’s 24th back in the first was the difference thanks to outstanding work from Halak who stoned a frustrated Philly team at every turn, including 14 clutch stops in a dominant third by a desperate home team. In fact, they outshot the Habs 14-3. However, couldn’t get one past the Montreal netminder that’s carried Les Habitants down the stretch.

Updating the playoff race, here’s how it looks:

*1.Caps 112 Pts
*2.Sabres 96 Pts
*3.Devils 95 Pts
*4.Pens 95 Pts
*5.Sens 91 Pts
6.Habs 84 Pts
7.Bruins 82 Pts
8.Flyers 82 Pts
_______________
9.Thrashers 80 Pts
10.Rangers 78 Pts
11.Canes 76 Pts
12.Islanders 74 Pts
13.Panthers 74 Pts
14.Lightning 74 Pts

Only the Leafs, who have 71 are eliminated. Yet they’re playing spoiler coming back to steal a point from the Rangers over the weekend and then stunning the Sabres, who are fighting for the No.2 seed last night. The Devils disappointing 2-1 shootout defeat to the Hawks which saw a seeing eye Kris Versteeg shot tie it with under 30 seconds left is included. By virtue of the one point, it allows them to vault past the Pens by virtue of owning the season series 6-0. Each club has five left along with identical 44-26-7 marks good for 95 points apiece. One less than Buffalo.

The Rangers continue to lead the Lightning 4-zip with under nine minutes left in the third. Assuming they win, that puts them at 80 points into ninth just ahead of Atlanta due to one more win and one fewer game played. They’d be only two back of both Boston and Philadelphia with five to go. The Blueshirts’ next game is at Florida tomorrow night. The Panthers have given them trouble. So, nothing should be assumed.

When the game concludes, we’ll have a recap along with full standings update.

Super and this team don’t usually go hand in hand. But you have to tip your cap at what the Rangers were able to do against an invisible opponent in Tampa. At least for 20 minutes, they thoroughly dominated the Lightning, outscoring them 4-zip.
The four-goal barrage was started by constant Brandon Prust who’s quickly evolving into a fan favorite. Just his play alone merits the trade with Calgary a success. Since Tort moved Artem Anisimov to the fourth line with Prust and Jody Shelley, who also has played well lately suddenly the Ranger fourth line is effective. On the game’s opening tally, a big hit by Shelley led to a turnover in the corner and then Prust came out with the puck and stuffed home his own rebound past Mike Smith to set the tone. Just 25 seconds later, ever improving Marc Staal lit the lamp again for two nil. With a punchless Tampa club going through the motions, former Bolt Vinny Prospal notched his 19th when his backhand went off a Tampa defenseman and in. The exclamation point on the statement period was Brandon Dubinsky scoring a power play goal when his low shot caromed off poor Kurt Foster who was too late with his stick sealing Dubi’s career best 19th.

Amazingly, the Rangers only led in shots 7-6 but had the puck plenty and controlled the tempo. Tort also deployed Staal and Dan Girardi against the dangerous scoring line of Martin St. Louis, Steven Stamkos and Steve Downie. Thus far, the trio is without a shot all minuses. Can our club keep it up or will their be a mental lapse? One thing’s for sure. Henrik Lundqvist could’ve spent the first at a beach. We’ll see if it continues.

In one game they have an eye on, the Canadiens lead the Flyers 1-0 late in the second. What the Blueshirts hope for is one team wins in regulation, preventing the dreaded three-point game. Second underway. More later!

On a day the Rangers stayed home and prayed for good results, they got exactly what they coveted on April Fool’s Day no less. Not only was the Spring weather a welcome sight but the scoreboard was as well with the Islanders, Panthers and Capitals all cooperating to aid the idle Broadway club whose fate might get determined in sunny Florida this weekend.

First, the Panthers came into Beantown and dealt the Bruins a crushing 1-0 shutout loss thanks to clutch netminding from former Devil Scott Clemmensen, who turned aside all 36 shots in support of Keith Ballard’s early goal. While that was taking place, the Rangers’ No.1 rival the Islanders did something they hadn’t in over two years. Beat the Flyers. Scott Gordon’s club snapped a 15-game winless streak (0-12-3) in fine style by lighting the lamp six times in a 6-4 home win. On the strength of two more Blake Comeau tallies, they quickly jumped out to a 4-0 lead. Ex-Isle Arron Asham got one back but Trent Hunter’s ninth early in the third chased Brian Boucher, who permitted five goals on 24 shots. Jon Sim added his 12th which proved too much for a desperate Philly team to overcome as they fell to former netminder Martin Biron (31 saves).

The hat trick saw Eastern leader Washington snap a three-game skid by edging divisional rival Atlanta 2-1. Matt Bradley’s third period marker along with Semyon Varlamov’s 19 stops were the difference, preventing the ninth Thrashers from making it a four-way log jam for the final three spots occupied by the Flyers, Canadiens and Bruins. A huge dent to Atlanta’s chances with only four games left all against stiff competition getting Pitt twice, the Devils and the same Caps.

As it stands right now, Philadelphia still is in sixth by virtue of one more win (38) than seventh Montreal, whose 37 are two better than eighth Boston. The trio remain stuck on 82 points with the Thrash’s 80 two off the pace and the Rangers trailing by four. However, it’s not that simple. With the Hurricanes gaining a point in a tough 2-1 overtime loss to Ottawa who clinched tonight and are just three behind fourth New Jersey, Paul Maurice’s club sits 10th with 76 points. Starting with the Devils visiting Raleigh Saturday, they’ll need to run the table with Tampa, Montreal and Boston on tap. Imagine if that 4/10 matinee at Boston meant something. Highly unlikely but you never know. Even the Islanders, Panthers and Lightning are still alive but can only get to 84 and need plenty of help to pull off a miracle.

Meanwhile, the Rangers now know that a successful two days in Florida means they likely are very much in play. True enough, they’re 3-0-1 over the last four with just that devastating OT loss to the Leafs preventing a four-game win streak. Brownie points won’t work anymore. It’s all about the ‘W.’ Can an inconsistent team that according to WFAN talkie Steve Somers owns the second worst record next to Edmonton since their 7-1-0 start really put it all together with it all on the line? Conventional wisdom says no because they’ve failed to deliver. Flat performances in do-or-die spots versus Montreal, Boston and even St. Louis leave plenty of doubt. Hell. That first period against the Islanders before they woke up was an abomination. With six games remaining, they actually have more margin to work with, especially finishing with a home-and-home versus the hated Flyers. However, it won’t come easy.

Bottom line. You just don’t know what you’ll get each night. This is a team capable of beating better competition and then falling on its ass against lightweights. Who knows what to expect tomorrow in Tampa? They better remember to check Steven Stamkos or it could be “lights out.” The Panthers have always given them trouble. So, that sure ain’t a gimme. Get through it and they conclude with four games in six including a challenging three in four beginning Tuesday in Buffalo with the pesky Leafs the following night back at MSG along with the first of two versus the Flyers on Friday 4/9. The final game is Sunday 4/11 at 3 ET in enemy territory.

Fasten your seatbelts. It could be a wild ride.

Today’s a special day for the hockey community. Legend Gordie Howe turns 82. Known better to us as Mr. Hockey, Howe personified what the game was about bringing passion to every shift. I’ve heard the stories about how tough he was from Dad when hockey was HOCKEY. Not the vanilla version we get these days. The all-time leader in games played (1,767) ranks second to Wayne Gretzky in goals (801) and third in points (1,850) trailing just the Great One and Mark Messier, whose rugged style was eerily similar to the original who never passed up a check and would greet opponents with frequent elbows, etc. Mr. Hockey also loved to drop ’em and soon the Gordie Howe Hat Trick became known as a goal, assist and a fight after No.9.

He played the first 25 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings leading the Original Six franchise to four Stanley Cups (’50, ’52, ’54, ’55) while teaming alongside Ted Lindsay and Sid Abel to form The Production Line. After retiring at age 42, he returned a couple of years later to play with sons Mark and Marty who were each selected by the Houston Aeros of The WHA- leading them to consecutive championships. He also took league MVP at age 46, having the Gary L. Davidson Trophy renamed after him. In his final season of the World Hockey Association representing the New England Whalers who’d later become Hartford in NHL expansion, Howe along with son Mark teamed on a line with a teenage Gretzky in an All-Star Game format that saw the WHA All-Stars edge HC Moscow Dynamo in a three-game series.

After the league folded, Mr. Hockey had one more run in the NHL with the Hartford Whalers. At age 51, he played in all 80 games during the 1979-80 season and was invited by former coach Scotty Bowman to the All-Star Game which as fate had it, was at a familiar place he’d called home in Joe Louis Arena. Receiving two standing ovations, he didn’t disappoint setting up one goal in his team’s 6-3 win while again teaming with a 19 year-old Great One. Ultimately, Gretzky passed his childhood hero scoring No.802 for the Los Angeles Kings while also surpassing Howe as hockey’s all-time leading scorer. If you want to see a great tribute, please click on the link below:

Hockey Legends: Gordie “Mr. Hockey” Howe

A look at some of the records Howe still owns:

-Most NHL seasons (26)
-Most reg. season games with one team (1,687)
-Most NHL/WHA GP (2,186)
-Most goals by a right wing (801)
-Most assists by a RW (1,049)
-Most points by a RW (1,850)
-First player to score over 1,000 goals incl. NHL/WHA playoffs
-Oldest player to play in NHL- 52 years, 11 days

Other Achievments:

-6-time Hart winner
-23-time NHL AS
-12-time 1st NHL All-Star Team
-Hockey Hall Of Fame (1972)
-6 Art Rosses
-Lester B. Patrick (1967)

Plenty more can be said about Mr. Howe, who lost wife Colleen last year to Pick’s Disease. When it comes to the sport, nobody means more than Gordie Howe. Happy Birthday Mr. Hockey!

If tonight wasn’t a microcosm of what’s been a trying season, I don’t know what is. The good news is the Rangers won to keep their faint playoff hopes alive. The bad is that neither the Devils nor Leafs cooperated. Notice we didn’t mention Boston or Atlanta because they did what they were supposed to. Our team needed help from a loathesome rival and Brian Burke’s guys north of the border. Unfortunately, the downside of Ilya Kovalchuk happened along with an ugly Toronto power play, allowing both teams ahead to hold serve. Patrice Bergeron’s OT winner with 18.3 seconds left gave the B’s 82 points- putting them into a three-way tie with idle Philadelphia and Montreal. Nik Antropov’s 24th goal held up giving the Thrashers a 3-2 victory to move up to 80 points with five games left.

As for the Blueshirts, they awakened just in time to comeback and edge the Islanders 4-3 off the Meadowbrook. The club’s third win in four (3-0-1) gives them 78 points, remaining two behind ninth Hotlanta and four out with six games to go. Boston’s desperation 1-0 shutout OT triumph over New Jersey makes it less likely for John Tortorella’s club to qualify for a fifth consecutive postseason. Amazingly, our post-lockout (’05-06 thru ’08-09) is one of the longest active streaks, trailing the Red Wings who haven’t clinched No.19 along with the Devils (lucky No.13 in a row). Calgary, who also looks like toast- has made the playoffs five straight seasons dating back to their miraculous run to the Cup Final pre-lockout. San Jose made it six. So, that puts us fifth. Correction: Per BroadwayBlue, we were tied with the Ducks. Loose translation: The Bettman dream has come true. P-A-R-I-T-Y

How to describe tonight’s unpredictable/chaotic Ranger venture that allowed them to survive with their heads intact? Two words. Roller coaster. As evidenced in our prior rant, they couldn’t have sucked any worse during a lifeless opening 20 minutes that were illustration A as to why this team doesn’t deserve to make the playoffs. Anything they could do to foul up their situation beyond recovery, they tried. Lack of discipline. Be thy name Wade Redden leading to a fourth bench minor against your biggest rival, who of course were only too glad to cash it in via a seeing eye Mark Streit power play goal that went right past Henrik Lundqvist’s glove. Lack of intensity. Allowing a much more determined Islander club hell bent on revenge to win every single battle in the uncompetitive first driving the NYR Twitter Universe mad. If only the nicolewesttts, JPLSs, NYRangerRealitys, carolena10s, howie9416s, antheias, nhenry5s snowkitten35s, EpicKaitlins played. There’s only so much they can do. Instead, we watched in horror as a turnover led to Blake Comeau’s marshmallow shot fooling Lundqvist. When the puck went off his pads and in off the post, it just screamed ‘Classic tease.’ Before the madness ended, my quick rant was up, almost daring them to wake up from the mushroom cloud they were stuck in.

Thankfully, Dwayne Roloson cooled off by permitting a Vinny Prospal stinker from a dreadful angle to give the Rangers life. Apparently, it also awoke Olli Jokinen who’d been as much of a help to our Drive For Five as Donald Brashear. The Jokester’s first point since he was relevant (okay maybe not quite) got the juices flowing. And for the first time in weeks, he contributed a goal that tied it stunning everyone in the Coliseum. Even all the Ranger fans sitting near the glass had to be in a drunken daze wondering if they’d really witnessed it. He took full advantage of Kyle Okposo breaking his stick, stripping him of the puck before whizzing one upstairs for an unassisted tally.

By that point, the Islanders already blew their opportunity to take command of the game, severely misfiring on a two-man advantage following a brutal Brandon Prust hit from behind on John Tavares. Somehow, it was called just two for cross checking. In our view, it easily could’ve been five and a game. How they saw fit to call only a minor is beyond me. JT91 had no protection and could’ve gotten seriously hurt. But because he was able to get up and skate on his own power, a bush league call. Still, the Isles didn’t do anything worth a dime with it and it wound up costing them the game. In fact, after outshooting their hated rival 9-4 over a dominant first, they were outshot 15-6 and outscored 3-zip in a dismal second that had to drive Scott Gordon nuts. For everything his club did right early, they reversed. Unable to convert on a couple of odd-man rushes, they watched Jokinen tie it and then left Marian Gaborik wide open for his 40th with 2:45 remaining, putting the guests ahead for good. Chris Drury outhustled an Islander to a loose puck behind the net and Aaron Voros centered it to Gaborik who snapped one through Roloson’s wickets.

Gaborik’s fourtieth is the second time in three seasons he’s hit 40, also doing so in a healthy ’07-08 with the Wild in which he established career highs in goals (42), assists (41) and points (83). In Game 70 for the Rangers, he became the 17th player in franchise history to score 40 and first since Jaromir Jagr’s club record 54 in ’05-06. Even with some of the slumps the Great Gabby’s hit on an otherwise offensive starved team, Year One has been pretty good. The goal was his 80th point of the season. He needs three points to match a career best and four in the final half dozen to surpass it. He also played in almost every Olympic game for Slovakia scoring a few more while being hobbled. Not bad for a guy whose durability was severely questioned. The Rangers are going to need more from him if they’re to have any chance.

Before the period’s conclusion, Trevor Gillies took an ill advised roughing minor on Prust. After initially throwing him down post-whistle and then playing innocent, he twice went after Prust along the boards including a silly punch with his glove on, forcing the refs to call it. I think he saw the ice just once more. A late Islander shot a split second after the buzzer led to pushing and shoving from both sides involving P.A. Parenteau and Okposo. Playing his second game since a recall for injured Sean Avery, Parenteau again was effective in a scoring role for Tortorella. He later set up Marc Staal’s decider. Michal Rozsival started it with a solid defensive play in his end before making a perfect outlet to Parenteau, who then cut and dished for Prospal leading to a two-on-one. He quickly moved the puck to an on-rushing Marc Staal, who caught Roloson moving with a quick low wrister that extended to 4-2 with less than 15 minutes left. Staal’s sixth was his first since 1/19, ending a 25-game drought. The third-year blueliner was steady along with Rozsival with each logging big minutes throughout.

With nothing going on, the Islanders finally made it interesting when another odd Comeau offering went right past Lundqvist for his third multi-goal game in six weeks. He also had a hat trick on 3/2 vs Chicago and a pair on Valentine’s Day vs Ottawa. No question the third-year forward’s evolving into a solid player for the Isles. They have to be pleased with what they’ve gotten from the former ’04 second rounder who improved to a career high 14 goals and 30 points tonight. Sean Bergenheim added an assist as did Mark Flood, who recorded his first NHL point. Congrats.

Unfortunately for the home club, Comeau’s second of the night which made it 4-3 with still 6:33 remaining was as close as they got. To Lundqvist’s credit, he steadied following the poor first turning aside 18 of the last 19- finishing with 25 saves en route to his 31st win. The 3/25 victory over who else but Martin Brodeur and Co. allowed him to make NHL history, becoming the first goalie ever to win 30-or-more in his first five seasons. Even if gimmick induced, major props to Henrik for being the one rock we got. I get on him a lot but he’s been essentially naked this season and is poised to finish with the second highest save percentage of his career. No small task.

The Islanders pulled Roloson late but never really threatened as the Blueshirts did a good job in their end, getting a nice clear from Prust who must’ve had a laugh afterwards due to the Islanders’ failure to stick up for Tavares. Inexcusable if you’re an Islander fan. For the Rangers, they at least remembered there was a game and saved themselves from humiliation and virtual elimination. But with the teams in front of them four clear and Atlanta showing no indications of collapsing, it looks like they might have to win out. Does even the most homeristic Ranger fan actually believe they can do that?

For now, they’ll continue the six-game road swing to Florida with the next one at the Lightning Friday and then to Florida the following day. In desperation mode, they finished March with a 6-5-3 record.
M-E-D-I-O-C-R-I-T-Y.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Michal Rozsival, NYR (4 hits, 3 blocked shots, +1 in 27:51)
2nd Star-Blake Comeau, NYI (2 goals-career best 14, 4 SOG, +1 in 17:45)
1st Star-Vinny Prospal, NYR (18th of season, assist, 3 SOG, +3 in 20:28)

1. Patrice Bergeron (goal, +1 and 5 SOG in 20:26)
2. Martin Brodeur (33/34 saves)
3. Tuukka Rask (21 saves, SHO)

Apparently, the New York Rangers forgot to set the alarm clock. I warned that the Islanders would be hell bent on exacting revenge for last week’s no-show. They’ve not even bothered to show. It’s 2-0 thus far with undisciplined play- I mean you Wade “Stinking” Redden! Unsteady netminding. Yep. Henrik Lundqvist somehow gave up a clunker to Blake Comeau after replays showed that he probably should’ve had Mark Streit’s power play goal. No push back. Lost battles. It’s just embarrassing. Ranger Nation is disgraced by this.

Again, why should we have expected anything less from these jokers? FRAUDS!

Well, after a few days away, I’m finally back from the dead. Like the classic House Of Pain ’94 tune, no pun intended. It’s nice to have a funtioning computer again, even if it is psycho. Haha. One of these days, maybe I’ll hit the jackpot and finally upgrade to a laptop. God knows I haven’t had one since that first ESPN stint in Bristol nine years ago which had a sad ending. Word of friendly advice. Never stay in a Motel 6. 😛

There’s so much going through my mind. Been doing lots of stuff here including fixing up the old room. When it’s completed (still a long way to go), it’ll be more hockey themed with two cool Team USA Olympic banners I picked up at Gerry Cosby’s before the Islander destruction last week. Why does that game feel like so long ago already? Go away from here a few days and things sure change. Even if the Rangers’ postseason chances continue to hang by a thread with another must win at Nassau Coliseum in a few hours on the second night of Passover. As for the banners, I got Ryan Callahan and Patrick Kane. Unfortunately, Cally’s nicked up and might miss another game. How he has 19 goals on this roster minus a No.1 center is a miracle. What if someone could get the puck to him? He’s no star but just a solid hockey player who on a good team, would be a tweener who could play third line and moved up if needed. A poor man’s Jamie Langenbrunner.

Speaking of which, I was always a huge fan of the Devil captain and pined for us to trade for him back in the Dark Ages. Of course, we wound up with Todd Harvey instead. The Heartbeat was very rootable but just couldn’t deal with the physicality which took its toll. While he eventually went elsewhere like they all do, the Devils acquired Langenbrunner and Joe Nieuwendyk from the Stars for ’00 Cup hero Jason Arnott and Randy McKay. We all know how that turned out with Langs an integral part of New Jersey’s third championship in 2002-03 teaming with John Madden and Jay Pandolfo to form a deadly checking line that produced while limiting opponents. That said, they don’t win without Grant Marshall to Jeff Friesen in Game Seven ECF at Senators, signaling the end of Wade Redden’s NHL career. Slats?!?!?!?!?! Simply amazing. I can’t figure out what’s crazier. That that unlikely combo came up roses for Lou or that our senile GM actually signed Tinman and then made that pathetic statement about him being the best first passer. Best first passer my ass! Maybe for opponents who are too busy blowing by him in hysterical laughter.

So, there’s an important game tonight. Why am I not talking about it? Well, if you’re a suffering Ranger fan because we all know this franchise is going the wrong way like my favorite John Candy character from Planes, Trains and Automobiles, what makes you believe they’ll win tonight? This team hasn’t been able to get it done. Montreal. Boston. St. Louis. Toronto. Why will it be any different against what figures to be a fired up Islander squad hell bent on putting the final nail in the 2009-10 coffin off last week’s stunning no-show at Mediocre Square Garden? For those logical reasons, I just can’t get too excited for this. As I’ve said before, these guys remind me of the sadsack loser teams we had pre-lockout. I already made the ’02-03 comparison when the same Isles gave us every chance but our team choked. This time, it’s the Flyers who apparently are Devil kryptonite and the Bruins, who get that same team they can’t beat making for two must watch games at 7. How many fans will be laughing at the chaos? Hopefully, it won’t make us pour more wine.

A few other thoughts:

-Congrats to the Coyotes on making the postseason. What an amazing job Don Maloney’s done. Even if he’ll always get flak for Hugh Jessiman, the former Ranger assistant GM deserves kudos for helping turn around the troubled franchise in the Desert. It began last year with his deadline deal of Derek Morris here for Petr Prucha and Nigel Dawes (Cgy). Morris returned at this year’s deadline and aids a strong blueline led by rejuvenated Ed Jovanovski and emerging Keith Yandle. Adrian Aucoin was a brilliant move. Matt Lombardi’s turned Olli Jokinen into a joke. Key pickups Lee Stempniak and Wojtek Wolski have boosted scoring minus Scottie Upshall. Radim Vrbata loves Phoenix and so does expected Jack Adams winner Dave Tippett. Great hire by Maloney, who can thank the NHL for forcing Gretzky out. Sad. Lauri Korpikoski has more of a role than Enver Lisin ever will on Broadway. Then there’s Ilya Bryzgalov, whose play is Hart worthy. Where would they be without him? Even Ranger reject Jason LaBarbera has panned out. From risky moves like Stempniak who’s pumping in a goal-a-game probably leaving Brian Burke speechless- to underrated signings like Vernon Fiddler and Taylor Pyatt, it’s all worked out for the ‘Yotes, whose 100 points are a franchise record. Truly a dream season with the first playoffs since ’01-02 still to come. We’ll also be having a special feature on these Coyotes very soon. Stay tuned.

-It’s awfully hard to ignore what Jimmy Howard’s doing in Detroit. Even if the just turned 26 year-old rookie netminder looks like he’ll edge Tyler Myers and Matt Duchene for the Calder, he’s every bit as worthy as chief Vezina contenders Bryzgalov and Ryan Miller. It’s hard to ignore the 22 straight starts and amazing post-Olympic stats that have the former University Of Maine star 11-2-1 with a 2.11 GAA, .923 save percentage plus a 33 save shutout in a 1-0 skill competition road win over the Predators Sunday. Not a bad way to celebrate 26 a day later. In his first full season, the former ’03 second round gem (64th overall) from Ogdensburgh, New York has gotten into 57 games (55 starts) while posting a 32-15-9 mark with a 2.24 GAA (3rd NHL), .926 save percentage (4th NHL) and two shutouts. His 32 victories rank 10th with unflappable Martin Brodeur pacing the league with 41 wins- one better than Bryzgalov and Evgeni Nabokov. Miller is fifth with 38 wins trailing Jonathan Quick (39).

Aside from Bryzgalov and Miller who both deserve to be nominated for the Vezina, there’s not a clearcut third choice. Brodeur’s got solid numbers (41 W 2.37 GAA .912 Save Pct 7 SHO) but hasn’t been as consistent. Nabokov (40 W 2.39 GAA .923 3 SHO) has had another good season but is supported by one of the league’s best offenses. Though many will contend his D isn’t as good as years past. What about Craig Anderson (36 W 2.60 GAA .919 7 SHO), who has the Avs on the verge of the playoffs? Neither Miikka Kiprusoff nor Roberto Luongo will be included even if Kipper has had a nice bounce back year while Louie has gone in the tank since winning gold in Vancouver. Jaroslav Halak doesn’t have enough starts and Tomas Vokoun plays for Florida. It could be that Howard is the best of the pack, carrying the load in goal with Chris Osgood riding the pine. For a first-year player to perform this well with the team needing every win to keep their playoff streak intact, it speaks to the maturity. Good on Detroit for not rushing J-How.

-Every time the Hart is discussed, it’s Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby, who are one goal apart in an exciting Rocket Richard race that also includes super soph Steven Stamkos (45 goals). Nobody is more lethal than Ovechkin, whose top seeded Caps have a remarkable record since he became captain. Meanwhile in Pitt, Sid The Kid’s putting together his best campaign with a career high 47 markers and 94 points placing third behind Ovie (46-54-100) and Art Ross leader Henrik Sedin (28-73-101). Crosby’s had to be better because Evgeni Malkin hasn’t been himself. Even if injuries are part of it. AO has overwhelming support on the league’s highest scoring team (287 GF) from Nicklas Backstrom (29-61-90), Alex Semin (35 goals), Mike Green (17-54-71) plus strong castmates Brooks Laich, Tomas Fleischmann and Mike Knuble. It’s Crosby who’s accounted for 20.5 percent of his team’s 229 goals while AO counters with 16 percent of the Caps’ 287. In games he’s missed, they’ve won still scoring at a rapid rate (53 GF in 10 GP, 7-2-1 record incl. 2 losses to NJD).

What of Sedin’s career year that’s seen him hit the century mark with a league leading 73 helpers? Impressive stuff while twin brother Daniel missed 18 games but has returned producing ridiculously (75 Pts in 57 GP). Most notable is that neither has done much on the power play, meaning the bulk of it came at even-strength helping support their plus/minuses (Henrik-33 Daniel-32). One could argue Ovie’s league-leading plus-43 as evidence of the mighty Russian’s improvement. Will the suspensions hurt in the public eye of a player who’s won the last two MVPs? Hard to say. It’s clear that these are the three top candidates offensively speaking. Where does that leave Bryzgalov and Miller, who are front and center backstopping pedestrian offenses (Phx-198 GF Buf-211 GF)? One could cite similar with Brodeur on a Devil team that’s produced 197 goals. The bigger question is has Zach Parise supplanted him as the team’s most important player? If Parise went down, it’s probable that they’d fall apart speaking to how much the Devil leader in half a dozen offensive categories could be sorely missed. When you look at their offense, a Devil fan can say why isn’t Zach Attack a candidate? They wouldn’t be wrong either. Good thing they got Ilya Kovalchuk (8-12-20 in 20 GP).

No doubt deciding this year’s Hart is tough because all three offensive standouts are worthy as are the aforementioned goalies who give their teams a chance every night. Crazy as it sounds, Duncan Keith would’ve been a good candidate before Chicago started losing. Perhaps the lack of a No.1 goalie is finally showing. Patrick Kane’s had a great season but is he really more valuable than Keith or Jonathan Toews? San Jose trio Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Dany Heatley all play together and boast Nabokov, Dan Boyle, captain Rob Blake along with an overlooked cast of Joe Pavelski, Ryane Clowe, Devin Setoguchi, Manny Malhotra and Jason Demers that get little fanfare. The Sedins have Ryan Kesler, Alex Burrows, Mikael Samuelsson, Mason Raymond along with arguably the best D plus the overrated Luongo.

The Sabres are led by a finally healthy Tim Connolly, Derek Roy, Myers, Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville. Not exactly earth shattering for Miller who gets it done. How do you ignore a .930 save percentage? Two more wins and he reaches 40. Even if shootout induced sans MB30, it’s still impressive. Did anyone have Bryzgalov leading the league in shutouts (8) with 40 W’s on a franchise minus an owner who’s leading scorer Doan has 53 points? In our book, that’s the deciding factor. Yep. We say Ilya Bryzgalov deserves the trophy. Even with Tippett behind the bench, it’s impossible to ignore the ‘Yotes emergence. Buffalo was expected to be good and the Caps, Pens, Canucks and Devils were always going to be there. He deserves to be the first netminder to win the Hart since Jose Theodore swept MVP/Vezina in ’01-02 for Montreal. Yep. That guy.

-Norris Race:

1.Duncan Keith
2.Mike Green
3.Drew Doughty

-Selke Race:

1.Ryan Kesler
2.Jordan Staal
3.Mike Fisher

After a first half of the season where the Devils were remarkably consistent, the story since New Year’s has pretty much been the same – win one, lose one, win one, lose two…the inconsistency is just mind-boggling. I would say it reminds me of the 2000-01 team in the way they just completely give away games and think they can turn it on whenever they want except for the fact the 2000-01 team was ridiculously talented and actually could pull that crap off for the most part, until the very end of the ’01 playoffs. This team cannot do that but play like they think they can.

For two and a half months now, the Devils’ longest winning streak has been a grand total of TWO games…and they only achieved that one lousy time. Other than that, our longest winning streak has been one game, for half a season almost now. Our latest no-show in Philly tonight was particuarly galling, for it was our fifth loss in six games to the rival Flyers and came just twenty-four hours after a really good win in Montreal, a game that I thought showed maybe just maybe we were turning a corner after our blowout win against the Jackets and a point against the Rangers that should have been two.

Not only was tonight a loss but honestly it wasn’t even a game worth recapping. It was about as much a ‘contest’ as most of the Atlanta-Ranger playoff series was a couple years back, until this year the only playoff experience for one Ilya Kovalchuk. Showing his hunger, Kovalchuk was about the only Devil to show up tonight, getting the Devils’ only goal of the night (of course far too late, in the third period after we were down 4-0) and playing 23:59 with 5 SOG.

Even Martin Brodeur looked flat, after it also looked like he’d turned a corner predictably he had another off night although perhaps he shouldn’t have been playing a fourth game in six nights against a team he hasn’t done all that well against this year, after the team went from Montreal to Philly overnight. Sure enough, Brodeur gave up a couple of bad goals early and was relieved by Yann Danis in the third period. Granted I figured he would sit Tuesday so I wasn’t too up in arms about playing Marty in Philly but now that Danis played the third period it’s almost a certainty Brodeur will play Tuesday anyway.

Of course he had plenty of company in the goat department, specifically slow and slower (alias Colin White and Mike Mottau), who were on the ice for the first four goals against tonight – yes four straight goals. Granted, Mottau’s played better since the Olympic break until tonight and White I don’t think is a problem in and of himself but lemme get this straight, Bryce Salvador can make one bad mistake and get benched for the last half of a game, even the coach’s pet Brian Rolston can get scratched for a game but Mottau can make any number of screwups and never get called on it?

At least their icetime actually got cut a little as both played just over fifteen minutes, better that pairing should be split up entirely though. I’d like to see White with Andy Greene and Salvador with Mottau as the third pairing but somehow I doubt it, since for some unknown reason White and Mottau seem to be hermetically attached just like John Madden and Jay Pandolfo used to be. On the plus side, Lemaire did at least spread around the icetime a little better tonight although some of that was a function of the score.

Not that line combos or who plays more would have done much good tonight, considering the Flyers scored in the first minute of each of the first two periods, the last minute of the second period and after the Devils finally reminded Brian Boucher it wasn’t 2000 with Kovalchuk’s goal, gave up a fifth goal less than a minute later. Whether this team wins the Jennings Trophy or not you just cannot trust it in a big spot. Especially when they even make someone like Wings washout Ville Leino look good. Honestly I looked at the Flyers’ forwards before the game started and thought wow, they only have about one and a half lines. So much for that, the Flyers’ bad goaltending (Boucher is now the third Flyers goalie to beat us this season) or their overall bad play going into tonight’s game.

An expected consequence of the loss was it moved us back behind the Penguins in the division race, though we still have that lovely game in hand it’s hardly going to matter unless the team picks it up. Although at this rate I’d rather avoid the division and risk playing Ottawa and Montreal in the first round than finish second and play Philly or the Rangers – one team and one goalie we can’t beat.