Clemmensen stops Bruins in 1-0 win

Scott Clemmensen was outstanding in net and when Bryce Salvador's second period wrister (3) off a faceoff win beat Tim Thomas,the scoring was finished for the evening as the New Jersey Devils stopped the Boston Bruins 1-0.
The Devils are off today before hosting the San Jose Sharks tomorrow at the Rock at 3:00.

Hell Raisers

1) The shutout was the second of the year for Clemmensen and the second in two starts.
Clemmensen made 31 saves and played (In my opinion) his best game of the season.
Clemmensen has been sharp two games in a row after a run of games that looked to be dulling his edge,so this is a good sign for both the Devils now and any possible trade value at the deadline.

2) Martin Brodeur is taking shots in practice and thinks he will be making his return in a week to ten days.

3) This was a hard hitting and hard fought battle,but to be honest,the Devils may lucked out in this one.
Boston probably held an edge in play and definitely had the edge in the frantic third period,but Clemmensen and the defense (especially Bryce Salvador and Paul Martin) were able to do just enough to hold them off.

4) The Devils win guaranteed them a split of their two games against the Conference leaders this weekend.
San Jose has the top record in the Western Conference.

5) The NHL (and NBC) drops the ball again as they decided to make the Flyers-Rangers game the national telecast instead of the rare Devils-Sharks matchup.
I mean,the top team in the West against the 2nd team in the East and both teams playing well and you pick the slumping Rangers against the Flyers???

Bonus Round

Brendan Shanahan is questionable for the San Jose game with a sore ankle.
Shanahan blocked three shots in the Boston win and took two them off the same spot.....


Bullpen Notes

A commercial satellite collided with a defunct Russian satellite in low earth orbit on Tuesday and the collision destroyed both birds.
I realize that we have many problems right now and not nearly enough cash to pay for it,but space junk is an issue that needs to be taken seriously.
With so much of our technology and needs being taken care of from above,collisions of more important satellites could be devastating.
Not to mention,that some of these have nuclear reactors on board to help maintain orbit,power etc and think about possible consequences of that type of disaster.
The picture is a computer generated impression of the over 12,000 objects that are floating around our planet.
This is amazing that this is the first time that has happened and trust me, this issue is not going away.

Our friends over at BagofHealthandPolitics (To be known hereafter as The Bag) has an very interesting and thought provoking post entitled "I think God is a Pluralist).
No matter ones stance on the topic,food for thought.

Watch for posts next week about players we follow that look back on 08 and where they could be in 09,the next installment on What If and a political post as well that looks at the beginnings of the Obama administration.

Photo Credits
Hockey:AP Photo
Our Earth:Getty Images