Jamie Langenbrunner's back to back goals in the second and third periods broke a 1-1 stalemate and lifted the New Jersey Devils to a 4-1 win over the Ottawa Senators in Ottawa.
The victory kept the Devils in the penthouse suite in the Atlantic Division and was their sixth in a row,which is a season long streak.
Patrik Elias scored the Devils first goal (21) and Brendan Shanahan put the final goal into the net (2) in the win.
The Devils conclude their grueling January with two more road stops in Boston tomorrow and Pittsburgh on Friday.....
Hell Raisers
1) Langenbrunner's second period tally shows what happens when net pressure keeps the goalie scrambling.
Brian Elliott was so busy playing rebounds that Langenbrunner was able to bounce the puck off Elliott's shoulder and into the net.
2) The Devils likely crushed any Senator confidence in the third period when a third period penalty to Brendan Shanahan was called a double minor and the Devils clamped the Ottawa offense down to nothing.
As in not a shot on goal........
3) The win gave Scott Clemmensen his 20th win of the season.
Clemmensen entered the season with 8 win in his CAREER!
Clemmensen becomes the 6th Devil ever to win 20 games in a season joining Marty Brodeur,Chris Terreri,Sean Burke,Craig Billington and Alain Chevrier.
I remember all of those guys as a Devil fan except for Chevrier,I don't remember much about him....
4) More on former Devil boss Pat Burns in what appears to be the final fight for Burnsie.
This article from the AP quotes Burns as saying "Right now, I'm just enjoying the time left," he said. "The crying and everything, that's all finished. That's over. I told my family, that's it. We've done all that. Let's just enjoy what we have here."
Best wishes for both Pat and his family......
5) Travis Zajac continued his solid season with two assists in the game.
Zajac has been the most improved Devil and the season most pleasant surprise this season.
Bonus Rounds
How about a little credit for someone that I generally criticize.
I thought Mike Mottau was better than usual,more aggressive and seemed to be where the puck was most of the night.
Nice job,Mike.
The Devils do need to watch their stick work in practice over the next few days as three times they were called for high sticking and once for hooking.
And finally,a nice long battle between Ottawa heavyweight Chris Neil and our own David Clarkson.
You all know how much I love Clarkson's game and potential,but I also like his willingness to go toe to toe with some of the best fighters from a larger division as well.
David did quite well last night against the larger Neil.
Bullpen Notes
Looks like the Pirates are close to a deal with Eric Hinske.The lefty hitter spent last season in Tampa and is apparently in line to take the Mienkiewicz slot as a super sub at 1st,3rd and the corner outfield spots.
Hinske makes more sense to me as the everyday player in left instead of Nyjer Morgan,but they will find that out soon enough....
Don Sutton out and Rob Dibble in for the Washington Nationals in the TV booth.
Sutton asked to be let out of his contract in order to return to doing Braves games.
Dibble has been up and down in his work.
His ESPN stint was very good,but his XM radio and Fox time was not quite as up to par.
Perhaps being with a pro like Bob Carpenter will help rather than having to carry Kevin Kennedy around!
Back later with a Random Ramblings!!!
Photo Credit
Clemmensen:AP Photo
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