Closer than it was...

Judging the score in last night's 3-2 win by the New Jersey Devils,the game looked closer than it was.

It wasn't as the Devils generally controlled the action and only a last second goal made the score look better than it was.
Devils goals to Ilya Kovalchuk (20),Patrik Elias (14) and Brian Rolston (9).
The Devils will play back to back games starting tomorrow against the Rangers and then Saturday against Carolina again...


Update time;
Before we move onto Hell Raisers,despite not having posted over the last few days,I still hope to talk about my trip to Loudon tonight or tomorrow,off line work on the Pirates and Indians top 15 prospect series,more from Erik Arnesen and a signing front since I have been on a flurry of mail sending for the collection.

Hell Raisers

1) Great game by "The Moose" Johan Hedberg.
Hedberg finished with 25 saves and continued his run of fine play.
If the player waiting in the wings was not Martin Brodeur,I would say continue to ride the Moose for as long as you can....

2) The Devils slammed any Hurricane warning window shut early in the third with two backhanded goals past Cam Ward.
Few goals from the goalmouth area look much prettier than a good backhand and both Patrik Elias and Brian Rolston beat Ward with that move...

3) Not be out done,Ilya Kovalchuk scored the first Devils goal with another highlight reel goal.
His skating (and stopping) with the puck corkscrewed Joe Corvo into the ice and then the shot froze Ward.
These are the plays that work out for the confident player and maybe a lack of such might have hampered Kovalchuk earlier in the year.
As Elvis Presley once sang "All you need is Confidence" and great skating and shooting skills as well....

4) Nice scrap minutes into the game between Mark Fraser and Troy Bodie.
Fraser held his own and I thought helped set the tone for a physical game without Anton Volchenkov...

5) Speaking of the Russian Hammer,Volchenkov returns from suspension against the Rangers.The Devils dodged a bullet with the team winning all three games that the teams best hitter missed...

6) Roster moves were made this morning as Jay Leach was sent down to Albany with Volchenkov returning,Tim Sestito was placed on waivers with the intent to send him to the AHL and Jacob Josefson recalled.
Bringing the former first round pick could help the Devils offense even more with Sestito being far from a offensive force.....

Photo Credits-Bruce Bennett-Getty Images