Parise snips Habs in overtime

In front of an always electric Hockey Night in Canada crowd in Montreal,Zach Parise took a feed from Patrik Elias and shoved the puck past Carey Price to lift the New Jersey Devils to a huge 2-1 Overtime win over the Montreal Canadiens.
The power play tally was number 15 for Parise on the season.
Montreal had scored the first goal in the first period and the Devils were unable to tie the game until Jamie Langenbrunner's second period goal (4).


Hell Raisers

1) I love the "Patrick" division and the Devils rivalries as much as anyone,but there is just something special when the Devils visit the Canadian teams,especially Montreal and Toronto.
The atmosphere from the fans in Canada add so much to the game experience,even when you are watching on TV and that is something that often is lacking at the Rock....

2) I have the feeling that Scott Clemmensen is just on a hot streak,but I will take every win that he can provide.
Clemmensen all too often leaves fat rebounds out for the opposition and for now,they aren't banging it home.....
Sooner or later that will change and that is when Kevin Weekes will get his chances in net..

3) The officiating in this game was not top notch and before I get accused of homerism,they were bad for both teams.
The game winning power play was set up by a late Montreal penalty to Alexei Kovalev that looked a bit ticky tack and earlier in the third,each team was called for phantom tripping calls...
Not a good night for the arbiters.

4) The win gave the Devils 4 wins out of 5 on their road swing.
Granted,only the Philly and Montreal wins were over quality opposition,but the two points all count the same and the Devils only continue to get healthier.
Only Andy Greene remains out from the skating portion and that would leave just Martin Brodeur as a member of the IR.

5) I must give credit where it is due again-Patrik Elias has stepped his game up in the last few weeks to where he could be deserving of All-Star consideration.
The pass that he made in overtime to Parise was simply amazing and Carey Price had no chance to stop the puck.
The intensity that has suddenly returned to Elias is what has taken his game to its former level...

Bonus Round

Wouldn't have been nice to see Pierre (3L) LeBlond mix it up with le' Habs George Laraque?
It didn't happen last night,but I would wager that it will before seasons end........

Bullpen Notes

Manny Pacquiao beat up Oscar De La Hoya in winning every round and scored a TKO when De La Hoya was unable to answer the bell for round eight.
The inactivity that marked the career of De La Hoya finally caught up to him against the younger and speedier Pacquiao.
The fight most want to see is Pacquiao against Ricky Hatton in 2009,but we prefer a 3rd fight against Juan Manuel Marquez.
Marquez owns a draw and split decision loss to Pacquaio and many (Us included) thought Marquez won both fights.
Do not look for that to happen as the $ rules and why fight someone that may have your number for less money than a fight that you have an excellent chance of winning for a larger purse.

A few more readers/bloggers weigh in on the ridiculous new nickname in Winston-Salem.
Wooden offers his thoughts here and Battlin Bob chimes in as only the Battler can!

Looks like a good deal for the White Sox as they "deal high" by sending Jermaine Dye to the Reds for Homer Bailey.
Bailey struggled some last season,but is still one of the elite arms in the minors.
Dye had a great 2008,but has always been streaky,is 34 and the Reds aren't exactly close to contending........

Looking back at the Reds just a few years,remember when they had all this talent in the grass that they couldn't play them all?
Dunn,Griffey,Pena,Kearns etc?
Now they are back to trading to plug holes and have next to nothing to show for their deals for some of those flychasers......
Sad.

Back tomorrow with Browns and Seahawks losses and the BCS....

Photo Credits
AP Photo