Devils disappointing in loss to Atlanta

The New Jersey Devils looked like they were going to overwhelm the Atlanta Thrashers in the first period, a period they they dominated everywhere but on the scoreboard.
Travis Zajac scored the first goal of the game (4) and the game looked well on its way into the win column.
Funny thing,Atlanta controlled the game thereafter and the Devils played two lethargic periods in a 4-2 loss.
Zach Parise scored the other Devil goal (2) in the third period.
The Devils host Carolina tonight in what I hope will be a better effort....

Hell Raisers

1) Other than the Parise/Zajac/Langenbrunner line,just an awful night.
Little firepower and not a lot of quality chances after the first period..

2) Ondrej Pavelec made some super saves in the first period,but didn't have to do as much later as the Devils quit applying pressure and as a result,the scoring chances dropped.

3) Bryce Salvador was the only bright spot on defense.
Salvador assisted on both goals and made a terrific play breaking up a 2 on1 Atlanta rush that looked to be another Atlanta goal.

4) Atlanta dominated on the special teams with two goals on the power play and another shorthanded.
The Devils kill looked often uninspired and needs to be improved...

5) Too much Rob Niedermayer on the power play.
Neidermayer is not a good fit on the PP and his play showed it as he doesn't camp around the net enough and his shot isn't as effective from the outside...

6) Not impressed with Ilka Pikkarainen thus far.
The sample size is small,he seems a bit soft and hasn't made a smooth adjustment to the North American game as of yet..

Quick picks on the beginning of Showtime's Super Six tournament tonight.

I like Carl Froch to defeat Andre Dirrell by late round stoppage.
Dirrell has the lightest resume' in the tournament and has never fought this caliber of fighter before.

I also see a late round stoppage for Arthur Abraham over Jermain Taylor.
Abraham may be behind on the cards,but Taylor always fades late in fights and that will make the difference.

Photo Credit-Rich Schultz-AP Photo