The Crystal Ship is sinking fast....

Apologies to any Jim Morrison and the Doors fans out there (I am one too) for the paraphrasing title,but this season is getting away and fast without what seems like the entire roster.
Last night the Devils played two pretty solid periods,the problem is that in the NHL-the game lasts three.
The Devils allowed 4 goals in the second period and fell to 1-4 since the loss of Martin Brodeur in a 5-2 loss to the Blueshirts of New York.....
Devil goals went to Travis Zajac in the first (2) and Jamie Langenbrunner on the power play in the third (3)......

Hell Raisers

1) Kevin Weekes was pulled after an absolutely horrid second period and Scott Clemmensen played the third allowing the final Ranger goal.
I am fine with whatever shuffling that Brent Sutter does between Weekes and Clemmensen that can keep the Devils afloat,so please-alternate starts,mix up starts,split games-whatever works!!!

2) The second goal that Weekes allowed was the worst-a Chris Drury shot that would have been blocked by the mildest arm movement,Weekes was not screened so he had a clear view of the shot and instead the puck flew right by the motionless Weekes.
That should have been an easy save..

3) Travis Zajac played well as he was involved with both Devil scores,Zach Parise has his general high effort game and Dainius Zubrus was unusually into the game with a strong scoring chance and a fight that caused his ejection with Brandon Dubinsky,but other than that no one really stood out to me in the game..
The injuries cannot become an excuse to float through games!

4) Brent Sutter apparently is not a huge fan of either the rookies on the team as Nicklas Bergfors is scratched as often as he isn't (was a healthy scratch against NYR) and Petr Vrana doesn't get much ice time (6:03) either.
Sure,both are rookies and are far from top line players right now,but their offensive abilities could open things up a bit and they cannot do that without seeing the ice.....

5) A few words on the status of injured players.
Paul Martin may be back for the home and home with Washington.
Brian Rolston is at least a week,but more likely longer.
Bobby Holik will begin to skating early next week,while Andy Greene is skating,but still will be two more weeks out at the minimum.....

Bonus Round
I know most Devil fan have gotten used to John Madden and Jay Pandolfo shutting lines down and killing off penalties,but it seems like they have been (especially Madden) a bit short in things this year.
Without Marty,the pair needs to move up a notch,not down a peg...

Bullpen Notes

Congratulations to the best announcer in Hockey-Mike "Doc" Emrick for his deserved honor of the Foster Hewitt award at the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday.
Being a Devils fan has one guaranteed benefit that no other team has-we get the privilege of hearing Emrick every game!

Another star of the Golden age of baseball passed on recently as Elvin "Preacher" Roe died at the age of 92.
Roe spent some of his career with the Pirates,but most of his success was with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Roe's best season was in 1951 with a 22-3 record and a 3.04 ERA.
The Preacher was one of those wily southpaws that was suspected of doctoring the ball,but was never caught.
Roe was also a main participant in the classic book on the Brooklyn Dodgers,Roger Kahn's The Boys of Summer.

The Washington Nationals swung a trade with Florida that brought them pitcher Scott Olsen and outfielder Josh Willingham for Emilio Bonifacio and two minor leaguers.
One of the minor players was former Hagerstown Sun Jake Smolinski,who looked impressive here until a freak hop broke his thumb in mid-season....
Jake was a quiet,but willing signer and best of luck to Jake with the Marlin organization.

I like the trade for Washington too,I think Scott Olsen still has plenty of upside (still just 24) and Willingham could be very helpful if the troublesome back problems can be dealt with....

On the signing front
Just a few odds and ends from Ebay..
Most of the 2007 West Virginia Power team set-Includes Alex Periard,Jeremy Jeffress,Taylor Green and Mike McClendon,but unfortunately no Michael Brantley.
Andrew McCutchen,Jack Cust,Neil Walker and Michael Restovich completes the baseball portion,while Browns corner Eric Wright finishes the update for today...

Until next time,when I finally do the promised Herb Score piece...

Photo Credits
Fight;AP Photo
Roe:Topps