Devils leap from gate,crawl to the finish.

The New Jersey Devils played perhaps their best opening period of the season and then hung on for dear life in a 3-2 win over the Florida Panthers at the Rock.
Jamie Langenbrunner(6) and debuting Devil Noah Clarke(1) each tallied first period goals and the game seemed well in hand.
Florida scored the only goal in the second period,but Brian Gionta's 5 on 3 power play goal (12) put the lead back at two.
But less than two minutes later,the Panthers had cut the lead back to one and for the remainder of the game rocked the Devils on their heels.
Brent Sutter must ran the team ragged after their mediocre game vs the Islanders and was rewarded with a great opening period.
But thereafter the team seemed stagnant.
One hates to criticize winning,but they seem to have trouble playing solid games from beginning to end.
But the two points get added no matter the circumstances,so I cannot complain too much.
Patrik Elias missed the game due to a "slight groin pull".
Believe me there is no such thing!
New Jersey will play back to back on Friday and Saturday,first against the Flyers at home before traveling to take on the Bruins in Boston.

Bullpen Notes

Slow news day,so going to talk about upcoming things here.

Could be two posts today,if I have time to take on the Iowa caucuses.

Thanks to all the readers yesterday that set our record for visitors in one day!
Guess we can credit that to the Dick Stuart card!!!!
SO since everyone loves Dr.Strange glove-enjoy another!

The Erik Arnesen interview is still in progress and is partially finished.
I think you will enjoy this one!

Speaking of interviews,we have another in the works with someone connected with the Pulaski Mariners.
I have already got the person to agree to the interview and I will be setting it up after the Arnesen interview is all finished.

Ran into reader Kevin Foster at the mall today.
Kevin (a devoted Bucco fan) is moving to Missouri soon.
Kevin will now be able to catch the visiting Pirates in St.Louis and perhaps Chicago.

Some interesting things in the work over the next weeks besides the usual coverage.
We will have a Browns season in review,Our ballot for the Baseball Hall of Fame before the new members are announced on next Tuesday,a forgotten superstar that is at the top of our ballot and a music related post that some might find of interest......

Until later or tomorrow

Photo Credit
Devils-Bill Koustroun-AP Photo