Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Martin Brodeur - 552

Special team struggles killing Devils

I am sure I am not the only one that was sick to their stomach watching the Devils give up another 3 power play goals Monday night in Philly. What made matters worse is when the game was on the line in the 3rd period and they were down by two they had 3 consecutive power plays, one of which was a double-minor, and couldn't even come close to converting on it. They eventually went on to lose the game.

I never thought I would see the day when I would acknowledge how much Colin White means to this team and our defensive corp. When he is out of the lineup, this is a much different team. Not nearly as physical or intimidating. He is definitely a calming influence back there and balances out or d-pairings perfectly. Additionally, with Patrik Elias being out, our lines looked jumbled and out of sorts as well. I hope both are back in the lineup Friday night when the Devils visit the Blackhawks.

This is definitely not the time to hit the panic button but our Penalty Kill has been working at around 55% percent over the last few games and that is just unacceptable, especially for a team with Stanley Cup aspirations. The team has a few days off and then will head back to practice tomorrow at The Rock before flying to Chicago for Friday nights game. Hopefully we can get some guys rested and get them added back to the mix on Friday. This team has been playing lights out since the beginning of January, a little bump in the road was bound to happen sooner or later. Lets just hope this is that bump and the team can get their heads on straight and back to playing Devils hockey heading in to the playoffs.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Sky's The Limit

Sorry that I have been away for a little bit but I certainly have a few things to say about the current state of the Devils. The Devils have won 19 out of their last 26 games and are currently sitting in 2nd place in the Eastern Conference 8 points behind the conference leading Boston Bruins (with 2 games in hand) With the trade deadline having passed the teams are basically all set and we are ready for the fight down the home stretch.

For all intensive purposes, most people would say the Devils stood pat at the trading deadline. For those that say that, they should be committed to a mental institution. Although a minor deal, Niclas Havelid is exactly what this team needed. Unlike years of past, the Devils have the offensive firepower to compete with any team in the league. I think that guy wearing #30 between the pipes has answered any and all questions about the state of the goaltending situation in NJ. The only thing lacking was another solid, puck moving defenseman. Granted the trade cost the Devils a young promising D-man, but for this team, with all the aging veterans, the time to go for it now. Anssi Salmela is not that special of a player that you don't make this move. Lou Lamoriello has shown time and time again that he wants 7-8 solid d-man come playoff time and now we have that. We have a great mixture of young talent and old wily veterans.

Niclas Havelid was a +4 on a terrible defensive team in Atlanta and was their top pairing shut down d-man. Fortunately, the Devils have enough talent and experience where Havelid will not have to be the one relied on in all key situations, he can just step right in with no pressure and play his game. He had a tough game his first time out for the Devils against the Islanders but who on the Devils didn't? This was another shrewd move in a long line of shrewd moves by the mad genius we all affectionately call Lou.

Sometimes the best trades you make are the ones you don't make. In this case, I think trading away any piece of the puzzle this season would have been extremely detrimental. This team is as tight as any team I have ever seen. Constantly cracking jokes at each other in the media and I am sure behind closed doors. You can tell from every interview that is done, that it is all about the team and playing for one another. I have a really good feeling that this team is going to do something really special this season. I guess we will have to just all wait and see.