Both wins by a 2-1 score,both wins were of the come from behind nature and both game winners were scored by the suddenly red hot Ilya Kovalchuk.
The only difference was the win in Toronto came in overtime,while last night's win over San Jose,Kovalchuk's game winner was with under four minutes to go in the third period.Johan Hedberg picked up the win in both games in the absence of Martin Brodeur.
Devils goals against Toronto to Kovalchuk (18) and Dainius Zubrus (11),while the goals versus the Sharks to Kovalchuk (19) and Brian Rolston (8 power play).
The Devils return to action on Wednesday for the first of two game in four days against the Carolina Hurricanes with a game against the Rangers sandwiched in between....
Hell Raisers
1) The win over Toronto was the 600th for Jacques Lemaire as a head coach.
It doesn't seem like Lemaire had been around that long until I really started thinking about it and yep,I guess he has.
2) Ilya Kovalchuk is finally starting to put things together and not just because he is scoring goals either.
His pass to Brian Rolston in a 4 on 3 situation in the third period was a thing of beauty.
Kovalchuk's all round game is shaping up quite nicely,my only worry is that if Jacques Lemaire does not return as coach for next season,as he has claimed-will Kovalchuk regress???
3) As pretty as that was,the game winner against Toronto was even better!
Watch this one!
4) I also liked Anssi Salmela's play (He assists on the above goal) in the two wins.
Salmela is maligned by many Devil fans,but to me,he has the potential to be a solid puck moving defenseman.
Sometimes,it just takes more time than others....
5) As I suspected Anton Volchenkov was suspended for his dumb elbowing penalty against Carolina.
Volchenkov sat out both wins and will miss the Carolina game on Wednesday before being eligible to return....
6) Because of the suspension,the Devils had veteran Jay Leach in the arena in case of a need.
Leach was scratched shortly after being obtained from San Jose along with center Steve Zalewski for Patrick Davis and Mike Swift in a trade that was made to help the Albany defensive corps that has been hit so hard as part of the trickle down on the big club.
7) Fire and Ice had a post on Leach,who is married to blog favorite Kathryn Tappen of NESN.
I didnt know that and I'll have to find a card of Leach for his visit to Hershey when I go up later this season for my yearly trip to see the AHL Devils...
Photo Credits-AP
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