Devils cool off Stars 4-2

The New Jersey Devils played a sluggish first period and paid the price for it in falling behind 2-0.
But a wraparound goal by David Clarkson(3) in the second period began a rally that would result in a 4-2 Devil victory and the 5th win in a row for New Jersey.
Brian Gionta's 8th goal of the season tied the game later in the period and the third saw the game winner off the stick of Dainius Zubrus.
The Zubrus goal (5) was all the Devils needed as the defense controlled the Stars from any good scoring chances in the third and slowed the game down to a crawl.
Zach Parise's empty netter late (9) concluded the scoring.
Both Zubrus and Gionta finished the game with a goal and an assist for two points on the night.
The only bad news came in the third period as Jay Pandolfo lost an edge on his skate on a shorthanded breakaway and left the game due to injury.
The shot clanked off the goalpost and Pandolfo crashed into the boards,never to return to the game.
Pandolfo has played so well this season that I would hate to see his momentum halted due to injury.
Marty Brodeur had a strong last two periods after a slow first period that saw Marty allow two soft goals that had Chico Resch calling for Kevin Weekes to enter the contest.
I have always thought that the one weakness to the Brodeur game that his weakness to the parallel angle shot and I often wonder why more teams do not attack him with the odd angle shot.
Seems like Vincent LeCavalier beats Marty once a game like that when the Lightning battle the Devs.
The Devils will host Montreal Friday night at the Rock in their next outing.

Bullpen Notes

Normally I would say that I cannot believe that a team would make a deal that could be as bad as the swap between the Twins and the "Rays" that was finalized this morning,but considering that Tampa was involved,I have no problem believing it.
Delmon Young does come with some baggage and Matt Garza is a bright pitching prospect,but Minnesota looks to have pulled off major larceny here.
Jason Bartlett is a dime a dozen player and the prospect going to Tampa (Eduardo Morlan)has great minor league numbers,but supposedly has mechanical questions and looks to be more of a bullpen prospect than a starting one.
If Young can keep his head on straight,he will be a dominant hitter and the Rays will regret this deal,but another laughable part of Tampa's reasoning here is that they are counting on Rocco Baldelli to play Young's position in right field.
Depending on Rocco Baldelli to stay healthy is flawed thinking to begin with,let alone to use it as part of your evaluation to move Delmon Young.
Please don't think that I am doubtful on Matt Garza,I am quite high on him,but not at this cost.

Shane Youman was claimed off waivers by the Phillies yesterday from the Pirates,while Josh Sharpless cleared waivers and likely will return to the Buccos AAA affiliate in Indianapolis.
The soft tossing Youman is expected to compete for the Phils 5th rotation spot,but likely will wind up as the garbage man in long relief or the rotation anchor for the Phillies new AAA affiliate in Alllentown.
Mildly surprised that Youman was claimed,but at least Youman will have a chance in Philadelphia to make the team.
I would have been surprised if he would have gotten the same chance in Pittsburgh.

The Pirates have been mentioned in a few rumors before next weeks Winter Meetings in Nashville.
One has Xavier Nady and Nate McLouth going to the Padres for prospect Chase Headley.
Headley had a strong year at AA San Antonio last year and looks to be an excellent prospect,but is still a year away from Pittsburgh and with Neil Walker now at the third sack and at the same AAA level in 2008,this makes me wonder.
I like the deal,IF these things happen.
1) The Padres get the massively overrated Nyjer Morgan instead of the underrated McLouth.
2) After Headley is acquired,Walker would then be moved back behind the plate.
This would not only give the Bucs a catching prospect that they lack right now,but would also give the 2009 Buccos three legit prospects coming to the team all at once in Headley,Walker and Andrew McCutchen.
OR perhaps this is a quiet sign that the new regime might not be as high on Neil Walker as others are....
Something to consider as we watch things progress.

The other rumor is the Cardinals are interested in Jack Wilson and Matt Morris.
Wilson is a guy I would like to see stay unless the offer was too good to pass up.
While the Cards are mentioned to have offered Anthony Reyes for Morris,if the Bucs pay some of Morris's salary for next season.
If that is accurate-We would take that deal quickly before they change their mind.

Until next time...

Photo Credits
Devils-Stars-Jim McIssac-Getty Images
Headley-Lake Elsinore Storm
Youman-Bill Gentry