One timer,One goal=Two Points

Ilya Kovalchuk's second period one timer off a Marek Zidlicky pass on a second period power play eluded Ben Bishop for the only goal of the game and a 1-0 win for the New Jersey Devils over the Ottawa Senators.
Kovalchuk's 31st goal of the season was the 400th of the Russian snipers career.
Johan Hedberg made 34 saves in earning his fourth shutout of the season.
The Devils will return to the ice on Friday at the Rock against Toronto.

Hell Raisers

1) Johan Hedberg was huge in this one.Terrific save and terrific save and Hedberg was the main factor in this win.
It is hard to believe that as well as Martin Brodeur has played this season and the odd game that Hedberg starts that it is Hedberg that leads the team in shutouts.....

2) Hedberg's main save came early as he stopped Erik Condra on a first period penalty shot.
In a game that saw just one goal scored,every shot can be pivotal,so Hedberg stood tall and did so early and did not allow a cheap early goal that could have swung momentum Ottawa's way.

3) Ilya Kovalchuk's 400th career goal came on what Kovalchuk does best-a slap shot from the circle off a one timer.
Kovalchuk has proven to the naysayers that thought that he was a bust as a Devil with his play this season that he is far from that.
The playoffs will go a long way towards shutting the final doubters down for good with a strong performance....

4) Kudos to the penalty killers,who were on the ice for the final 3:38 with a portion of that time to be spent with Ottawa having a five on three.
The Devils especially used strong performances from Bryce Salvador and Anton Volchenkov on the kill.
Both players had excellent games,except for Volchenkov being the player that pulled down Eric Condra to give Condra the penalty shot.

5) Give Ottawa's Ben Bishop plenty of credit as well as he made 33 saves on the Devils and had no chance against the Kovalchuk rifle shot.
I wondered about Bishop with his huge (6'7) frame and wondered about the agility of the netminder.
I came away quite impressed....

Photo Credit:AP Photo