Parise puts Devils into Playoffs! Lynchburg roster announced

Zach Parise redirected a Johnny Oduya shot just seconds into the net to give the New Jersey Devils a 2-1 overtime win over the New York Islanders and in the process clinched a playoff berth for the 11th consecutive season.
The Devils are now playing their last three games for seeding position and to at least earn home ice advantage for the first round.
Parise's goal (32) eluded Joey McDonald and hopefully will help awaken the offense for the last three games of the season.
I know this is a Devils blog,but I did want to comment on the play of McDonald,which was out of this world,especially when you consider the defense that he plays behind and his 45 saves.
The Devils tied the game at 1 on a Patrik Elias power play goal (20) in the second period.
This was a better played game by both teams than their last encounter as this one had very few penalties.
The Devils take on the Boston Bruins tonight before finishing the regular season against the hated Flyers and Rangers.

Devils Pitchforks
Gold:Zach Parise-Game winning goal
Silver:Patrik Elias-Goal,assist
Bronze:Marty Brodeur

The Pittsburgh Pirates continue their series in Atlanta vs the Braves.
The Braves starting pitcher will be Jair Jurrjens.
Some of you may recall Jurrjens as the pitcher that was going to become a Pirate from Detroit for Jack Wilson last year before the trade fell apart due to the Captains bizarre fetish for
Craig Monroe.

Pitching Matchup
Pittsburgh:Tom Gorzelanny (1st start) at Atlanta:Jair Jurrjens (1st start) 7:10

Bullpen Notes

An interesting note on Lane Kiffin and the Raiders.
Kiffin is just one of many coach to join the Raiders that wind up in recycle bins that either are stupid or egotistical.
Why?
Because every coach that goes to coach there either is not smart enough to look at the history of how things are done there or has such a large ego to think that "Al Davis would not treat me like that".
Either way,if you take that job-you have to know what is coming.

The Lynchburg Hillcats made their roster announcements.
Pretty much the same gang as last year's Hickory crew except for first round pick Daniel Moskos and surprisingly lefty Tony Watson,who was a top pitcher at State College.
I figured Watson for Hickory and if a pitcher skipped the low A level that it would be Duke Welker.

And finally in a funny note,Comedian Rush Limbaugh may have paved the way for a Democrat to win a congressional seat in Mississippi after his great idea-"Operation Chaos"!


Photo Credits
Parise-Jim McIssac-Getty Images
Celebration-Ed Betz-AP Photo
Moskos-Ryan Heimberger