Battle Of Hudson

Ladies and gentlemen, meet the new and improved Sidney Crosby…

Enjoy the All-Star Game (Wednesday, 8:00 PM, VERSUS)

New Jersey (28-14-4, 60 PTS, 1st Atlantic, 2nd East) vs. Tampa Bay (24-22-2, 50 PTS, 3rd Southeast, 8th East)

7:30 PM
The Swamp
TV: MSG
Radio: WFAN

This is the first time the teams are meeting this season. We split with the Lightning last year, and will face them again on 1/26.

Leading Scorers
New Jersey
#26 Patrik Elias 12-26-42
#14 Brian Gionta 20-17-37
#23 Scott Gomez 8-27-35
#9 Zach Parise 17-17-34
#15 Jamie Langenbrunner 15-16-31

Tampa Bay
#26 Martin St. Louis 29-34-63
#4 Vincent Lecavalier 29-34-63
#19 Brad Richards 16-24-40
#22 Dan Boyle 11-27-38
#20 Vaclav Prospal 7-23-30


New Jersey
#30 Martin Brodeur 28-13-3, ONE POINT NINE NINE SPELLS MVP, .929%, 8 Shutouts
#40 Scott Clemmenson – Who Cares?

Were going to lull the opponent to sleep, and while they’re napping, put beartraps on their feet, and gently slide the puck into the net. No more than once, any more would be overkill.

Seriously though, this Holmqvist may solve the Lightning goalie issues I’m told. Of course, that’s what they said about Denis, and Grahame. By the way, speaking of old Bolts, congrats to Sean Burke for landing in LA. Anyway, the Devils cannot make another young/backup goaltender look like Patrick Roy, they have to rattle this kid. They cannot sit back and let St. Louis and Lecavalier do what they want, but we know ol’ crazy glue will get the job done. I think this is a very big letdown game for the Devils, I can just feel it.

Prediction: Lightning 4, Devils 1.

This comes courtesy of Buffalo’s 3-2 shootout defeat at Boston on Martin Luther King Day. Check out the classic call from legendary Sabres play-by-play man Rick Jeanneret as All Star goalie Ryan Miller stones Paul Mara. It’s one of the best saves you’ll ever see:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=z9zE81sjks4

Entering play, the Eastern Conference leading Sabres had lost a season high three straight including a 3-2 shootout loss at Boston on Martin Luther King Day. But with their lead for the conference’s top seed suddenly down to six points, Lindy Ruff’s club responded with a 6-3 victory over the same Bruins back home at HSBC Arena tonight to get back on the winning track.

With the game knotted at three thanks to rookie Phil Kessel’s second of the game less than a minute into the final period, the Sabres responded by getting the next three. All Star starting defenseman Brian Campbell put them ahead to stay with 9:55 left and Maxim Afinogenov made it 5-3 when he connected for his 21st of the season with 5:16 remaining. Daniel Paille hit the empty net to propel the Sabres to their 32nd triumph of the season, giving them 68 points. Eight better than both New Jersey and Atlanta.

It was important for Ruff’s club to get the ‘W.’ They are clearly not the same team without physical D Henrik Tallinder. So hopefully, the time off starting next week will help.

While they have gone through their first tough stretch, Ottawa has surpassed Montreal in the Northeast and is up to 56 points, good for fourth overall in the East. The Senators are still without top two centers Jason Spezza and Mike Fisher. Just wait till they return as now Dany Heatley and captain Daniel Alfredsson are on fire. In fact, during their season high fifth straight win, Alfredsson notched the winning goal for the fourth game in a row, becoming the first player to accomplish this rare feat since Montreal’s Newsy Lalonde turned the trick back in 1921 when he got the winner in five consecutive contests. The most encouraging aspect for the suddenly sizzling Sens is that they’re doing this without their best playmaking pivot Spezza. Just wait till he gets back. Even more encouraging is that recent pickup Mike Comrie is fitting in and already has four goals and three assists in seven games since coming over from Phoenix. Not bad. Meanwhile, starting netminder Ray Emery has flown under the radar winning 20 of the club’s 27 games while providing solid numbers including a 2.53 GAA to go with a .919 save percentage and three shutouts. If there is a team to watch, it’s this one. And they could be a team that nobody wants to deal with in an opening round.

All of this stuff I’ve had to read about Derek on NJDevs, simply pointless.

Folks, we took our reaction to Derek’s opinion well too far. I think he is owed an apology. I myself, and I garantee every single person here has said something that one of you has disagreed with.It is preposterous what has come of this: Basically an attack Derek because he’s a Ranger fan. I realize that because of this, posting on a Devil board is sometime counter-productive and comes with the jabs of a rival’s fans. Still, what has come upon Derek is just far too much. I don’t wish to be a part of a board like this, and I think Derek should be encouraged to return.I mean, we disagree, but is this crap all really worth it?

I just want to say I put a lot of time and effort into this. So I hope it’s read in its entirety and the message is made clear:

Steve, I honestly don’t know what to say about what you informed me of. If I did, so be it. I am not apologizing for anything because as part of this blog, I am asked to give my opinion in these parts.

Bottom line is this: Anytime our teams do battle, from time to time, we’re going to have different opinions. I felt one way about last night. You felt another. That’s part of life. It’s only natural when there’s a rivalry which seems a lot bigger between the respective clubs’ fans than the actual teams.

Sometimes, it goes too far. I witnessed some idiotic stuff at an Islander-Ranger game at MSG a few weeks ago in which some drunken Ranger fans started in with an Isles fan because he had the audacity to wear a DiPietro jersey. I got right in the middle and broke it up before security came. I think sometimes people forget that it’s only a game. Not something to fight over. Unfortunately, sometimes a few too many get in the way of what should be a fun time.

You gave an example of Detroit shutting out Montreal 2-0 the other night. I will agree that the Red Wings are a very sound defensive hockey club who use their left wing lock to neutralize opponents. But a big part of that has to do with who plays defense on their club. They boast one of the best defensemen to lace’em up in Nicklas Lidstrom. Year after year, the guy continues to dominate. It’s no different this season. They also still have Mathieu Schneider and the ageless Chris Chelios, who continues to defy logic. There’s a reason why they only permit around 22 shots-per-game and it starts with that blueline. Oh. And the goalie who I realize is despised also does a good job and has proven he’s not washed up as many including myself believed.

It’s worth noting that I watched that classic Original Six rivalry game. Up a goal, the Red Wings didn’t sit back. Instead, they continued to attack and registered 14 shots in the third period. One of them beat David Aebischer thanks to a sharp angle goal from Pavel Datsyuk.

In response to being called crazy about the league loving your team, so be it. It doesn’t explain how the Devils got away with at least a couple of infractions last night. If you think for a second that their reputation doesn’t help in terms of what calls are made, you’re way off. The few good posters over there can admit that and basically did about two months ago. It’s not going to change my silence. There’s a lot more important things going on.

My final thoughts have to do with someone I am happy to say I am still friendly with today. I just think it was very nice of them to message me before about the situation. They didn’t have to but they made it their business to. I wish it could be like that in terms of this hockey rivalry. That it shouldn’t be taken personally when I say something that’s not well received or vice versa. I don’t believe that should ever get in the way of friendships made.

I can only wish the very best for some of the quality people I became acquainted with. If we ever met at a game, I would treat you with proper respect. If anyone is interested, they’re welcome to visit me in Section 411 for the final Devil game and talk. Our hatred of each other’s teams never should get in the way of a good time.

Enjoy your day.

They might not have gotten anything done last night in East Rutherford. But off the ice was another matter altogether. Today, Rangers Team President and GM Glen Sather announced that the club had re-signed forward Martin Straka to a one-year deal worth a reported $3.3 million.

The diminutive 34 year-old Czech is enjoying one of his best seasons. He currently is tied for the team lead with Brendan Shanahan for goals (24) and ranks second to only buddy Jaromir Jagr in points with 55. Maybe the Blueshirts most consistent performer night after night, the versatile Straka has teamed up with Jagr and top pivot Michael Nylander to form one of the league’s best scoring lines.

The best skater out of the trio, the former Pen works extremely hard on both sides of the ice. While his offense stands out, it’s the diligent backchecking which makes him one of the Rangers’ most valuable forwards. That’s why this signing was a no-brainer. Bringing him back makes sense and it seems that they got him at a bargain. There’s little doubt that if he hit the open market this summer, he could’ve gotten more. So not only was this a smart move by Sather but it also shows that Straka took less and is a team player.

If the club is to re-sign Nylander to keep the unit intact, they’ll need a similar commitment from the Swedish playmaker. This way they can focus on improving the rest of their club. It remains to be seen what will happen there. But this is a very good move. Now if only they could find a real No.2 center and a solid defenseman to add to the mix.

Apparently people read us. NJDevs has picked up your scent and they are smelling blood Derek.

It would be so counterproductive for the NHL to love the Devils, that is easily – and my respect for you as a writer and a hockey fan is unmatched – the most insane statement I have ever heard.

We won. You lost. Simple as that.

There were no complaints from you earlier, even the first time we beat you.

Nobody complained when Detroit won 2-0 on Monday.

I was looking at the three stars as selected by the writers who covered last night’s Devil 1-0 shutout of the Rangers and noticed an omission. Henrik Lundqvist definitely deserved a star. If not for his goaltending, it wouldn’t have even been close. Through the first two periods with his team severely outplayed, the second-year Swedish netminder gave his club a chance by repelling 24 of 25 shots, thwarting several point blank chances to keep it close.

In a shutout, I can see why he might have been overlooked. Especially when you consider the defensive effort the Devils put out. However, I definitely think this was one of Henrik’s best games in what’s been an inconsistent season. If I was choosing the three stars, I’d go:

3rd Star-Jay Pandolfo, Devils- completely blanketed Jagr and continues run at Selke
2nd Star-Henrik Lundqvist, Rangers- finished with 31 saves in losing effort
1st Star-Martin Brodeur, Devils- stopped all 26 his way for league best eighth shutout

At some point this week, we’re going to take a look at the All Stars that were selected this past weekend and see who got left out. It’s always a fun debate.

Also saw that the Islanders dropped their third straight falling at Pittsburgh 5-2 as Sidney Crosby torched them for two more goals. The second-year 19 year-old phenom continues to blitz the NHL in attempting to become the youngest ever Art Ross winner. If he somehow gets his team into the postseason, look for the league to tilt the MVP race towards the face of the league over Brodeur, Marian Hossa, Dominik Hasek, etc.

We’ll be looking at our prime candidates during next week’s break. Stay tuned.

Now that the Atlantic division is already over after freaking 46 god damn games, it’s time to turn our attention to my hockey show tomorrow night.

The NY Hockey Report will air its third show of the year at our usual slot between 8:05 and 9PM Wednesday. There will be much to discuss and it should be a fun show to do.

Here’s a preview of what’s on tap:

Call-in # for fans: 877-913-9739

Opening Seg: Breakdown of Rangers-Devils from last night

Debate time: Is there a more infuriating team to play against than New Jersey? Can their machine-like system be stopped?

Martin Brodeur- where will he rank when it’s over?

Seg II: Islanders fall in Pittsburgh 5-2 to drop their third straight.

What’s going on with them? They are falling apart at the wrong time. Can they turn it around?

Is it time to make a trade?

Final Seg: Open discussion

1.NHL gaffes becoming more common (Hawks have shootout goal waived off, Rangers lose out on a power play, Oilers screwed). How can a game which is struggling for viewership to begin with be in such chaos? How can it be credible?

2.Continued debate: Crosby or Brodeur for the Hart? Other candidates are Ovechkin, Iginla, Kiprusoff, Hossa and Hasek

3.All Stars Named:

Devils- Brodeur and Rafalski
Rangers- Shanahan
Islanders- Blake

Anyone get left out?

Tune in at allinbroadcasting.com live tomorrow night and click on The NY Hockey Report.

Or check out our archives podcasted the next day courtesy of nyhockeyreport.com.