Split Personalities

Tale of two teams wearing Devil jerseys at the Rock tonight against the Buffalo Sabres.
The team in the second period played hard nosed and aggressive hockey and looked fairly solid.
The team in the first and last periods played sloppy and stupid hockey and was generally less than par in a 4-1 loss to the visitors from Western New York.
Andy Greene's second period power play goal (1) was the only Devil goal.
New Jersey travels to Boston tomorrow night for a battle against the Bruins....

Hell Raisers

1) Poor night by the defense with the exception of Greene,especially Johnny Oduya,who allowed Clarke McArthur to get into easy position for the games first goal and then did little to stop Tim Connolly on the second goal.If the Devils are counting on Oduya to take up the slack from the absence of Paul Martin,he has a long way to go after watching tonight's outing.

2) We usually have praise for David Clarkson,as out favorite Devil,but other than one almost goal from behind the net,Clarkson seemed out of the rhythm of the game.
Here is hoping that it was just an off night.

3) Andy Greene's goal was on the power play,but that still raised the Devils PP scoring to just 2 of their last 22 chances.
That couldn't all be missing Patrik Elias,could it???

4) Don't get me wrong,other members of the Devils defensive unit werent good either.
Mike Mottau played like,well Mike Mottau,but even Bryce Salvador,who can be counted on to not make the dumb mistake was off his game.

5) Sorry to see Andrew Peters scratched from the game against his former team.
Might have been nice to see Peters scrap with Steve Montador.

Bonus Rounds:Haven't seen Pierre (3L) LeBlond drop the gloves this season and as a result he has been less than effective.
Pierre,If you want to be an enforcer/power forward you either fight,crash the net or set up scoring chances-thus far,you have done none of that.....


5) Marty Brodeur allowed four goals,but it could have easily been seven with the Sabre chances against him.
Some of those chances were that good.

Bullpen Notes

From the too funny to miss dept-Phil Savage is criticizing the Browns for getting rid of all his "great" players.
Now,we have criticized Eric Mangini's moves (we actually did so just yesterday),but for all of Mangini's bungling,it was Phil Savage that truly created this crap pile.
Tell you what,Phil-I'll stick to criticizing Mangini if you stay in Alabama and shut the hell up!

The Browns signed Darnell Jenkins to the practice squad and dropped running back Cedric Peerman to make space.
I cannot say I know much about Jenkins,but I am attempting to get a report from the biggest fan of the "u" I know and find out what I can about the former Hurricane.

The Pirates released Tyler Yates,but Neal Huntington has been quoted as saying "he would love to have him back".
I would "love" to see the Pirates back in Lynchburg and Tyler Yates somewhere else,but that's just me.

Photo Credit
Andy Marlin-Getty Images