Zajac hat trick lifts Devils!

After a big sports day that saw me see the Pirates opening win and the Giants over the late shift,in between saw the New Jersey Devils suddenly erupt with some goal scoring as Travis Zajac scored his first career hat trick (14,15,16) to pace the Devils to a 6-3 win over the visiting Florida Panthers.
The Devils scored the first three goals of the game before twice allowing the Panthers to come within one goal of tying the game.
The other three goals for New Jersey to Jaromir Jagr (24),Ryane Clowe (7) and Jacob Josefson (1 shorthanded).
Martin Brodeur got the win despite being pulled in the second period in favor of Cory Schneider after allowing all three Florida goals.
The Devils are in Buffalo tonight with another badly needed two points on the line.

Hell Raisers

1) What a night for Travis Zajac with his first career hat trick! Zajac has played well of late,but this did come as a surprise as Zajac has always been the setup man,not the finisher.
Happy for Zajac as he all too often has missed on chances this season,so take it when you can!

2) Jaromir Jagr's goal against Dan Ellis was sharp (the trajectory reminded me of the type scored on table hockey),but three assists as well?
Jagr is still a nice passer,but that's quite a night for the veteran as well.

3) Ryane Clowe scored a goal in the good news,but hit his head against the board in the bad.
Clowe has always had head injury issues and this is concerning at this point.
Anytime you see Clowe in this spot,one worries about missed time.

4) Adam Larsson was brought up from Albany before the game due to the injuries to Jon Merrill and Anton Volchenkov to add to the already missing Bryce Salvador.
No word on Larsson for the Buffalo game as the missing defensemen may still be out,but there may be a forward need depending on the condition of Ryane Clowe.

5) Martin Brodeur was pulled after allowing three goals on nine shots in favor or Cory Schneider,who held Florida scoreless for the rest of the night.
Rachel was howling that Brodeur was disrespected,but I disagree.
Brodeur was not on his best game and the Devils have any chance at all at the playoffs-Peter DeBoer has to coach each game like it's a game seven,
No problem with that call.

6) Very happy for Jacob Josefson and his shorthanded goal for the Swede's first of the season.
Josefson gets a lot of heat from Devils fans (this writer included) for being a disappointment,but he always hustles and it isn't lack of effort.
Nice assist by Ryan Carter,who set the play up with his hustle to the puck and then the pass to Josefson.

7) Playoff update-Three points behind Columbus for the spot,two behind Washington and one behind Toronto with seven games to play.
Columbus still looks to be in nice shape as they have a game in hand over the Devils and Washington and two games in hand over Toronto.
Tonight's game in Buffalo is HUGE as in must have.
Two points could jump Washington and Toronto depending on their games tonight.
Washington hosts Dallas,Toronto is at home against Calgary and the most important of all-Columbus takes on visiting Colorado.
Big night tonight for the Devils playoff hopes.