Sabres stick Devils in shootout loss

The New Jersey Devils lost their third game in a row entering the All-Star break with an especially galling 2-1 shootout loss to the visiting Buffalo Sabres at the Rock.
Patrik Elias scored (18 power play) the only goal for the Devils,who fell into a tie with Florida and Toronto for the final playoff spots despite earning one point on the night.
New Jersey will have a week before a return next Tuesday vs the New York Rangers at the Rock.

Hell Raisers

1) Why was this loss especially galling?
Lets start out with the fact that Buffalo had not won a game on the road in the last 12 attempts and New Jersey dropped a game to a last place team at home.
That should be enough,but it isn't.

2) Twice,the Devils had chances to nail down the win in the shootout.
Ilya Kovalchuk scored on Ryan Miller to give the lead and Patrik Elias (third in line) missed a chance to clinch.
Martin Brodeur then watched a Jason Pominville shot glance off his glove when a save ends the game.
Two chances to win before a loss....

3) Two attempts that would have won the game in the third and overtime periods were foiled as well.
Ryan Miller made a terrific overtime save on Ilya Kovalchuk off a sharp pass by Bryce Salvador,but the Adam Henrique shot in the third beat Miller,but hit the post and skidded harmlessly away from the net.

4) Good news bad news,the defense played well as Buffalo was held to just 14 shots.
Bad news is that despite just one getting by Brodeur,the offense was unable to take advantage of the differential....

5) I wish I had more to write other than the less than exciting game.
I plan on possibly doing a half-season in review post over the week time permitting in which we look at the ups,downs and maddening inconsistency of the Devils....

I will be back later with the Cavaliers in Miami against whathisname and the Heat.
I have watched some of the game and the Cavaliers are hanging tough thus far,which is a refreshing change after the loss in Atlanta!

I also know that some of you want more thoughts on the developments of the Hagerstown Suns.
I have plenty and plan on getting them up,but want to do judiciously as things are looking kinda gray right now,but the Mayor of Hagerstown Bob Bruchey is digging in and I like what I know of his efforts thus far to pull the Suns back into town...

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