Losses can be fun

The New Jersey Devils lost a 5-4 shootout game to the Buffalo Sabres in a game that generally defied the standard definition of Devils hockey with up and down the ice play combined with both teams using backup goaltending that alternated between great stops and soft goals...
Devils goals to Jason Arnott (5 and 6 power play),Jamie Langenbrunner (3) and David Clarkson (2).
The Devils will host Edmonton tomorrow night at the Rock.

Hell Raisers

1) Despite the loss,the Devils did pick up one point on the evening and the game was exciting to watch.
Could it be that the Devils are taking a step back to take two forward down the road with a change in playing style?
Not sure if I am willing to go that far,but this one was a good one that could have been better with...

2) Better play from Ilya Kovalchuk.
Kovalchuk had a chance to win the game late in the overtime on a breakaway and fired high over the net and then dribbled the puck off his stick in the end of the shootout end without making a shot.
I wont blame the loss on Kovalchuk,but those are glaring issues.
Is it possible that the pressure could be getting to the 100 million man?
Most likely,but this is a short blip on the radar considering Kovalchuk's history.

3) Mattias Tedenby made his NHL debut in the game and assisted on the first Arnott goal.Tedenby has to be the fastest skater on the team walking in the door and despite his size,I love his tenacity.
I look for big things eventually from Mattias Tedenby.

4) Stephen Gionta made his debut against the Rangers and stayed around despite the constant moves up and down the roster between New Jersey and Albany.
Gionta is an instant fan favorite between being the brother of former Devils Brian and a hustling style that usually makes fans.

5) Johan Hedberg didn't play poorly although a few goals were borderline soft.
Hedberg ranged from dazzling to marshmallow in this one.although the defense didn't help him much.

6) The defense was not very good and although that made for exciting hockey it didn't help very much for winning hockey.
Andy Greene and Colin White both made glaring errors to that led to Buffalo goals.
Considering the lack of experience on the Devils blueliners right now,the team needs more consistency from the few veterans that they are using right now.

7) Jason Arnott played with verve and toughness with two goals and was tossing the body around as well.Nice to see the veteran turning it on with the team needing it most....

Photo Credit-AP