Sykora hits 20 goals as Devils trim Wings

Petr Sykora's goal (20) off a super pass from Patrik Elias beat Jimmy Howard in the third period to break a tie and give the New Jersey Devils a 2-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings in the Motor City.
Alexei Ponikarovsky started the scoring with his first period goal (14) before Detroit tied the game with a power play goal.
New Jersey will conclude the regular season on Saturday against the Ottawa Senators.

Hell Raisers

1) Petr Sykora might be the best story on the team this season.
For a player thought to be well past his prime to the point of many questioning why the Devils even gave him a tryout to score 20 goals,that is quite a story.
The Devils have always been a franchise that will give past stars a chance to come home and sometimes you can get a steal.

2) New Jersey had not won in Detroit since 1996 and the only member on the team that had won there was Martin Brodeur,who whipped the Wings in four straight in 1995 for the first Devils Stanley Cup.

3) Super night for Martin Brodeur and the defense in front of him.
Brodeur was strong when he had to be and the defense allowed few strong scoring chances.

4) New Jersey is now locked in at the sixth seed with the Philadelphia win tonight.
The Devils will play either Florida or Washington.
Florida has blown two chances to clinch the Southeast Division,but can still clinch by earning a point Saturday or Washington losing to the Rangers.

5) On the ice,who the Devils play matters little.
I know from past experience asking for a certain team can backfire big time such as some losses to Carolina in the playoffs.
My main reason for preferring Florida has nothing to do with matchups.
I just do not want to listen to Craig Laughlin's mouth for an entire series and I'll be forced to if the Devils draw Washington....

Photo Credit:AP Photo