Something familiar about this game

The New Jersey Devils generated little offense until it was too late as the Nashville Predators slow danced their way to a 3-1 win over New Jersey at the Rock.
Mattias Tedenby's third period goal (4 power play) allowed the Devils to avoid the shutout.
The Devils are in Atlanta tonight against the Thrashers.

Hell Raisers


1) This game looked familiar to me and for a while,I couldn't figure out why.
As the game progressed,I realized-Nashville plays like the Devils used to.
Snug,tight defense with a no frills offense and once they achieve a lead,they lock it down and hold on to the margin.
I miss those days....

2) Mattias Tedenby's goal was one of those that I used to score in table hockey.
Inside one post,loop around the top and out the other side of the net.
In table hockey,you could have those not count,if you weren't paying attention....

3) The goal at the very end of the first period was a killer.
The Shea Weber fire and pray that scraped Steve Sullivan and barely wiggled across the line from Martin Brodeur was very indicative of the season thus far for the Red and Black.
Just a odd bounce that has gone against the team and that has happened so much this season that the Devils have used two years of up of those in just the few months of the season.

4) 16 shots on goal.
Shot ten not notched until roughly ten minutes to go in the game.
Some of that is due to the way Nashville plays,but you aren't going to win many games that way.
Put the puck on the damn net!

5) I was going to write about the listless play of the defense,but why bother?
It seems pointless,although I'll give Anssi Salmela a break since he is rounding back into shape.
I thought the signing of Anton Volchenkov was going to bring back hitting defensemen as part of Devils hockey?
Volchenkov is trying though and playing physical,so maybe I shouldn't add him to the list.

Photo Credits
Fan:Bruce Bennett-Getty Images
Goal:AP Photo