Kovalchuk injured in Devils win

The New Jersey Devils scrapped their way to a 2-0 lead over the Florida Panthers before a miscue with seconds remaining in the second period cut the lead to one goal.
The Devils then lost a star and held on for dear life to hold on to two valuable standings points,which they were able to do in a 2-1 win over the Florida Panthers,but at a high cost.
Patrik Elias (10) started the scoring with David Clarkson scoring the game winner (12) with Travis Zajac assisting on both goals.
The Devils travel to Ottawa Monday night for a meeting against the Senators.

Hell Raisers

1) The biggest news is the injury to Ilya Kovalchuk,who slid into the boards,slamming his right shoulder into them.
The Devils acknowledged that Kovalchuk will miss "at least a short period of time" with the shoulder injury,but I got the feeling that it might be worse than that.
If this is a long term injury,it will be a huge loss for the Devils of course,but it may mean the end of playoff hopes.
Despite a few points lead over Carolina and the Rangers and being in the seventh playoff position,nothing is safe.
When you consider that the Devils were having problems scoring goals with Kovalchuk,imagine what issues may await without him....

2) As we await the news on just how long Ilya Kovalchuk will be out for,the speculation begins-Does Lou Lamoriello take his chances on the intact lineup or is his hand now forced in an attempt to supplement the goal scoring in order to make the playoffs?
That question looms almost as large as the term of Kovalchuk's injury...

3) Martin Brodeur had 18 saves in the win,but a miscue allowed Peter Mueller to score the only Panthers goal.
Brodeur attempted to move the puck from behind the net with a pass,but his avenue was blocked,resulting in a less than strong pass with the net wide open for Mueller.
These things happen,but it is a lot easier to say that after a win than a loss...

4) The game winner by David Clarkson was sheer grit.
Clarkson shot the puck into Scott Clemmensen and then kept hacking and whacking on two more attempts before he finally slid the puck into the net.
Exactly the type of play that Clarkson needs to be playing in order to be effective.

5) The other goal was a pretty touch and go between Travis Zajac and Patrik Elias.
Zajac hardly had the puck on his stick at all before guiding it Elias.
Zajac finally seems to be picking his play up and it could not happen at a better time...

6) The Devils did seem to be playing not to lose late in the game and barely staggered home for the win.
To be fair,this was happening with Kovalchuk on the ice,but considering the upcoming problems and the struggles against the worst team in the East,Could you be seeing the beginning of a slide?
I hope not....