Faceoff consequences end Devils winning streak

Two lost faceoffs led directly to both Tampa goals in the second period as the Lightning ended the New Jersey Devils winning streak 2-1 in Tampa.
Mark Fayne (4) cut the margin to one in the third period for the only Devil goal.
New Jersey takes today off before a five o'clock start in Miami tomorrow against the Florida Panthers...

Hell Raisers

1) The two faceoff losses by Rod Pelley and Dainus Zubrus that resulted in goals that meant the game shows just how important the little things are.
Pelley just lost the draw,but Zubrus sent the puck directly to Simon Gagne for what proved to be the game winner.
You just cannot stand around after a lost faceoff,you have to be moving and the Devils weren't on either of those goals.....

2) Johan Hedberg added another strong effort in the loss.The first Tampa goal by Martin St.Louis was a shot that Hedberg never saw and the Gagne goal was not Hedberg's fault either.
Without Hedberg's play,Tampa could have easily added two or three goals to their total....

3) Big question # 1-With the Devils losing and all the teams ahead of them adding at least a point last night,will the Devils be sellers or buyers before the deadline next week?
As happy as I am with the recent play,I would not object at all to a few moves that add picks to the team.
Especially getting a second rounder from somewhere to replace the second rounder that was sent to Nashville to Jason Arnott,who might be at the top of the list to be on the move.....

4) Big question # 2-With the streak finally ending,which goalie will be in net Sunday?
Hedberg or the returning Martin Brodeur?
I'd think Marty,but I wouldn't want to bet cash on it...

5) David Clarkson caught a skate on his arm in the second period and earned 18 stitches for his trouble.
Clarkson did return for a few shifts in the final period....

6) Chico Resch says that he likes the way Mark Fayne always finds a way to put his shots on net and the more I watch Fayne,the more I like him.
Fayne is still inexperienced and has plenty to learn,but his play is growing on me as is the recent play of Anssi Salmela,who finally is showing some skills that I always thought that he had on the offensive end....

I will try to be back later with the beginning of what I hope will be a popular and recurring feature piece....

Photo Credit-AP Photo