Travis Zajac slammed home a bouncing puck(2) that was not bouncing as much as flopping past Mike Smith to force overtime and eventually the shootout.
Easy shootout goals by Zach Parise and Jamie Langenbrunner brutally ended that as the Devils left Tampa with two points and a 4-3 win.
The Devils other goals were scored by Zach Parise (1 PP) and Jay Pandolfo (1).
The Devils continue their Florida trip with a jaunt to Miami for the Panthers tomorrow night.
Hell Raisers
1) Want to see the bias in the star system towards the home team?
How about the winning team getting none of the stars?
Ryan Malone was one of the three stars of the game and his tally for the evening was no goals or assists.
This isn't an anti-Devils thing,they do it as much as anyone,but last night seemed a bit excessive..
2) The Zajac goal saved an uninspired third period for New Jersey,as the Devils put just six shots on Mike Smith.
The Devils equalled that total in the five minute overtime.
Unacceptable.
3) Marty Brodeur showed signs of returning to form with his best game of the season with 41 saves.
Marty was screened on the second period goal and was not at fault.
To a certain degree and I am in the minority on this,I think Marty is still chipping rust away from his injury last season.
As the season goes on,his performance will only get better.
4) Tampa shot the puck on the Devils net 25 TIMES in the second period last night.
That tells you where the defense was in that period doesn't it?
The Devils clamped down in the third period,but at the previously mentioned cost on the offensive end.
The team is still getting its sea legs under Jacques Lemaire,but that is quite a high number to deal with and the Devils will need balance things out and quickly.
5) In the second period,Lemaire split the Paul Martin/Johnny Oduya defensive pairing after the bad second and I like the idea.
The Devils are not talented enough on the blue line to afford to have those two play exclusively together all the time and the move can make the various pairings stronger.
I am sure the Devils will mix this up from time to time,but I liked the idea....
Back tomorrow with pigskin picks and some overdue notes from the bullpen..
Photo Credit-Scott Audette-Getty Images
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