Sunday, January 4, 2015

Jagr tips cap in 5-2 Devils win over Philadelphia

On a night that Jaromir Jagr set an NHL record and that the Flyers Ray Emery couldn't stop a Hoppity Hop,the New Jersey Devils were able to build a huge lead and cruise to a 5-2 win the Philadelphia Flyers.
Jaromir Jagr scored three times (7,8,9) with Patrik Elias (5 power play) and Scott Gomez (3) adding the other New Jersey goals.
New Jersey will finish their homestand on Tuesday against the Buffalo Sabres...

Hell Raisers

1) The Jaromir Jagr hat trick put the veteran in the NHL record books for being the oldest player ever to score three goals in a game.
Jagr displaced Gordie Howe,who was 41 plus when he set the previous high with the Red Wings,while Jagr is closer to 43 than his current 42.
Hopefully,this is the impetus to setting Jagr on a run that would result in a higher price for anyone trying to obtain him at the playoff deadline....

2) The Devils didn't exactly fire tons of ammunition at the Flyer net as they put just 18 shots against the Flyers.
If five of them go in,I'll live with such a paltry number....

3) Four of the five Devils goals to the same line as Adam Henrique was switched to the Scott Gomez/Jaromir Jagr line.
Obviously that switch worked for one night.
Mike Cammalleri was the players moved out for Henrique...

4) Four fights in this game and maybe the only person more excited than I was Ken Daneyko doing the game on TV.
I know some don't like fighting and the game is going away from it,but I am getting a feeling that the Devils are up to something-a bad team is going to try to go away from the grain and try to rough the opposition up.
I'm not saying it's going to work in the long haul,but considering Lou Lamiorello and Scott Stevens on staff,this might turn out to be the strategy that the Devils try out...

5) What the above strategy also does is this-a bad and less than exciting team (On most nights,that is) might be a bit more fun for the live crowd to watch.
When you are part of a three team market,one always is fighting for the entertainment dollar and this might be another way to excite the crowd...

6) The win pulled the Devils even (at 35 points) with Philadelphia and Columbus,which is a good thing (I guess),but keep in mind that the Devils have earned their 35 points in two more games than the Flyers and FIVE more games than the Blue Jackets.
In other words,don't get too excited yet....

7) Another word about fighting-Mark Fraser returned to the Devils from Albany for the first time since being traded away three years ago and since being signed for AHL depth.
Fraser wasn't remembered by Rachel,but quickly won a spot in her heart for soundly decisioning Wayne Simmonds of the Flyers,who is not a favorite of hers...

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