Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Devils stunned by Kings


I had to wait a while before typing this as the anger was more than I could take as the New Jersey Devils watched a fluke shot/defensive lapse allow the Los Angeles Kings to tie the game with 90 seconds to go,a borderline penalty called that then gave the Kings the man advantage and then score on it to give the Kings the 3-2 win and send the Devils from two points to zero in less than one minute of play.
Devils goals to Travis Zajac (16) and Johnny Oduya (2).
The Devils visit Toronto tonight and then host the Leafs on Friday.

Hell Raisers

1) The sad truth to this game was that the Devils played reasonably well until the stunning conclusion,but still the Achilles heel was the lack of scoring as Jonathan Quick slammed the door on many Devil chances that could have put the game away or at least salvaged a point from the evening.
Quick showed me a lot in the game,if he played for a team that was seen more often,he would be talked about far more than he is.

2) The game tying goal was just one of those crazy,awkward angle shots that for some odd reason tends to give Marty Brodeur trouble.
Why more teams don't try that with Brodeur is difficult to understand.

3) Mike Mottau struck again,but with some help from Rob Niedermayer on a goal.
Mottau's less than brilliant pass was botched by Neidermayer leaving the puck right on the doorstep for a goal.
You all know my Mottau opinion,but Niedermayer has played pretty poorly lately as well.

4) The game winning goal was set up by a questionable tripping call on Andy Greene behind the net.
That looked like a dive at worst and a no call at best.
The Devils still have to kill the penalty,but not a good call....

5) Not sure what answer I have for the Devils getting any offense from forwards not named Zajac,Parise or Zubrus other than Patrik Elias getting back.
Elias is expected to return sometime next week,but David Clarkson and Paul Martin will not return until after the Olympic break on March 2nd.

6) The Toronto team that the Devils face tonight is far different than the one that they defeated Friday.Dion Phaneuf and Jean Sebastian Giguere are now in blue and white and basically the Leafs gave up a bunch of average guys other than Ian White,who I like as a player.
Niclas Hagman and Matt Stajan are decent,but not great,Jason Blake is way overpaid and Vesa Toskala is just awful.
It isn't often that you can land a Dion Phaneuf and get rid of your biggest contract and worst player as well.
Props to the Leafs and to Brent Sutter-Karma sucks sometimes....

Photo Credit-Andy Marlin-Getty Images

No comments: