Playoff hopes dimming after shootout loss

The New Jersey Devils needed a win against the Buffalo Sabres badly to aid their flagging playoff hopes.
What they gained instead was one point after a 3-2 shootout loss to the Buffalo Sabres.
Once again,the shootout corps could not score and forced Martin Brodeur to be perfect,which he was not in allowing one goal.
Devils goals to Steve Sullivan (6 power play) and Mark Fayne (1 shorthanded).
The Devils are off until Wednesday when they face Boston at the Rock.

Hell Raisers

1) Spent the game as the guest moderator at Rachel's Facebook page "Devils fans outside of New Jersey."
Met some great Devils fans and had a blast talking to them during the game.
Of course,we added a few plugs for here as well!!

2) Mark Fayne's shorthanded blast that allowed the Devils to add one point was terrific,but the play was all due to the hard work and puckhandling of Dainius Zubrus.
Zubrus moved the puck from end to end,kept control around the net and only then did he put a sharp pass to the wide open Fayne.
Dainius Zubrus has had a good career,but I have always felt that he could have been great,had he worked harder...

3) The Devils shootout woes continue,but Patrik Elias was tripped when Ryan Miller came out of the net.
That should have been a "re-do" and the referee simply refused to make the call.

4) In any case,the Devils will have to address this shootout issue in the off season.
I understand that Zach Parise dragging his feet and the lockout limited the moves that the team could make going into the season,but the inept offense without Ilya Kovalchuk and even worse shootout performances make the Devils number one need is an offensive player and no,re-signing Patrik Elias does not count-he is here now and part of the problem....

5) Steve Sullivan did add a little jump to the team.
For an older guy,he did seem to have some left in the tank...

6) Quiet part of the loss?
On the Buffalo second goal,the Devils could have forced an icing call,but instead loafed up the ice.
The Sabres managed to touch up,keep possession and then score.
Simple lazy play!

7) Travis Zajac-dumb penalty after dumb penalty.
Frustrating is not the word for me when you consider the contract he signed...

8) Sorry that I missed the Toronto post,all day on the road took it out of me.
I did watch the game,but no energy to post.

Maybe back later with the Pirates being swept in LA,although I saw little of it....