First the win on Sunday afternoon at Washington and honestly this game never goes to overtime at all without the worlds greatest goalie between the pipes for New Jersey.
Marty Brodeur was virtually a one man show in the victory that
probably should not have went to the Devils.I do want to give plenty of credit to the Capitals goalie Brent Johnson,who was also superb in goal despite the tough loss,but this game showed the possible achilles heel for the Devils as a backup goalie pretty much held them in check throughout.
This team needs to pick up the offense and the players that played in this game are going to have to do just that,as the Devils made no noticeable offensive acquisitions at the trade deadline that would arrive two days after this game.
Neither team was able to bust through the scoring column until Jamie Langenbrunner slapped a shot(11) by Johnson from the left circle on a 5 on 3 Devil advantage to give New Jersey a 1-0 lead.
Washington tied the game less than two minutes later and that concluded the scoring until overtime.
That is where the puck bounced the Devils way as a Patrik Elias shot bounced off John Madden and then deflected off a post.
The puck was then backhanded by Madden(18) by the sprawled Johnson into the net for the win.
This winning credit goes to Brodeur and the Devil defense for keeping the game close enough to have things go their way.
Devils Pitchforks
Gold:Marty Brodeur-No other choice
Silver:John Madden-Game winning goal
Bronze:Paul Martin-Assist,continues to improve on the power play
But two days later in Carolina,the score was same,the play was similar,but this time the puck bounced the wrong way as the Hurricanes stopped the Devils 2-1 in overtime.
At least the Devils can take solace in getting a point out of the game,but the offense was again MIA.
Marty Brodeur was again terrific,but Sergei Samsonov was able to beat him once in regulation and again with the game winner in OT.
No other Canes were able to solve Brodeur and honestly if a breathing human instead of Andy Greene had been on the ice against Samsonov,the Devils would have skated away with a W.
I have tried to be easy on the developing Greene,but his play in this game was horrid and basically cost the Devils the contest.
On both goals,he allowed Samsonov to drive to the net with impunity and gave him free rein.
Look for Greene to be scratched for a few games and either newcomer Brice Salvador or one of the veteran scratches,Vitaly Vishnevski or Karel Rachunek returning in his place.
The only Devil to dent the twine was Brian Gionta with his 17th of the season.
Devils Pitchforks
Gold:Marty Brodeur-Playing tremendous hockey
Silver:Brian Gionta-Goal
Bronze: Mike Rupp-Fought the bigger and rougher Wade Brookbank to a standstill
Bullpen Notes
What does it tell you when a fight gets you the Bronze star?
Well,that says volumes about the Devil attack and in a nutshell,the Devils are ripe for a playoff upset early,if their idea of an offense is squeeze out 1 goal and pray Marty is perfect.
I like the pickup of Bryce Salvador.
Although this is not a impact addition,it does help the defense and considering the cost was a fighter that has not played a game all season-I REALLY like it!
Bryce will not help the offense much,but will add a veteran presence that the defense (especially after Andy Greene's performance) could really use.
After all he was a + 12 for an average St.Louis team that shows his commitment to the defensive end and Lou Lamoriello compares his game to that of Colin White and that type of steady play is just what the Devils need.
Take all of those factors with the next to nothing that the Devils gave up and that if Salvador does not play well,he will be free to go as he is a free agent at season's end and you have basically added a player to help the squad at little cost or risk.
Compare that to the exorbitant price paid by teams such as Pittsburgh and Washington and I feel pretty good about it.
I will miss Cam Janssen,but he had not played all season,his spot had been pretty much taken by the more offensive and just as aggressive David Clarkson and there did not seem to be a place for him in the lineup.
I do think that Lou Lamiorello sent him to St.Louis as a favor for his time in New Jersey as St.Louis is the hometown for Cam.
I wish that I could say that I liked the Blackhawks trade of the gritty Tuomo Ruutu to Carolina as much.
The Hawks swapped Ruutu for left winger Andrew Ladd.
Ruutu was so excited to leave Chicago,he managed to make it to Raleigh on time to play for Carolina in their win over the Devils.
Ruutu adds versatility to the lineup as he can line up at center or left wing,while Ladd is simply a winger.
Maybe it is because I have always liked Ruutu and his game,but for now,the Canes look to have the edge in this deal.
Back later with more cleaning of the inbox.
Photo Credits
Brodeur-AP-Nick Wass
Devils-Canes-AP Karl DeBlaker
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