A win at home!?

I realize that this is late by a few days,but I'll mix in the latest in Devils news to go with the Devils come from behind 4-3 overtime win over the Edmonton Oilers.
Ilya Kovalchuk gunned the game winner into the net by Devan Dubnyk on a overtime powerplay (4) to lift the slumping squad to their first win at home all season.
Devils goals also to Alexander Vasyunov (1),Brian Rolston (1) and Mattias Tedenby (1 Power Play).
The Devils are in Boston tonight as they attempt to win back to back games for the first time all season,

Hell Raisers

1) Ilya Kovalchuk scored the game winner on his only shot of the game,but the goal was set by Kovalchuk's drawing a penalty in the extra session on Dustin Penner for tripping.
Penner had little choice and that made the difference in the game.


2) I don't see the lack of effort in Kovalchuk's efforts,I see lots of that,but I do think that Kovalchuk is struggling mentally and hopefully Friday's goal can help get the sniper back on track.

3) Brian Rolston returned in the win and as noted above scored a goal.
Rolston is way overpaid for his production right now,but still can be a huge help to the team in the absence of Zach Parise.
The wily veteran just needs to get back into playing shape.

4) I thought both rookie wingers played very well with Alexander Vasyunov and Mattias Tedenby each scoring their first goal in the league.
Vasyunov seems to be settling in nicely with Ilya Kovalchuk and Travis Zajac,while Tedenby's speed is a nice fit with veterans Jason Arnott and Patrik Elias.
The Devils would be wise to keep these two around as long as their play continues at this level.

5) The Devils will be without Jamie Langenbrunner tonight for the second game in a row with the dreaded "upper body injury".The word is that the injury is a neck or shoulder issue.

6) Just as the Devils add a player from injury they then lose one.
Matt Corrente returns from a broken hand,but Matt Taormina will be back in Jersey with an MRI on an ankle injury.Corrente brings a more physical brand of play,but Taormina will be missed with the man advantage.

7) Of all the good things in the win,I liked this the most-The Devils never led until the game ended and yet they kept digging in.I know the Oilers aren't a very good hockey team,but the Devils could have packed in on either of the two goal deficits and they did not.
That was good news.

Well,I have gotten some things finished.
Still will have Ohio State-Penn State,tonight's Devils visit to Boston and a cleaning of the inbox over the day or so to come.

Photo Credits
Pau; Bereswill-Getty Images