The Best Forward Line In NY/NJ Area Hockey Is...?

From the desks of:
RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS - NYR
THE BRICK CITY DEMONS - NJD
BROOKLYN's FOSTER HOCKEY CLUB - NYI

Which Metropolitan Area Hockey Club

Sports The Best Forward Line?

New York Rangers  -  New Jersey Devils  -  New York Islanders

At this time last season, the New York Islanders had the best forward line in hockey.  The trio of John Tavares, Matt Moulson, and Kyle Okposo, wound up cranking out ninety one goals last season.  This season, Tavares and Moulson have been joined primarily by Brad Boyes.  Kyle Okposo has been put on, then taken off the line this season.  Truth is, last season didn't go as smoothly as Kyle  would have liked.  And presently, his game is skating in sand again.  Okposo is an enigma who remains woefully inefficient for his talent.  He has one goal and four assists so far.  So, Brad Boyes, the team's third leading scorer, has been getting most of the wing action on the first line.


Last week on Valentine's Day, the Isles' line of Martin/McDonald/Cizikas put the Rangers forward line of Gaborik/Callahan/Richards under house arrest, completely shutting them down on MSG ice.  While they took care of the Blueshirts top trio, John Tavares' line took care of the rest.  In his last two games against the Rangers and Devils, Tavares has four regulation time goals; a hat trick against the Devils, and a game tying goal, as well as a shoot-out winner against the Rangers.  John Tavares now has eleven goals in his last ten games.  Along with nine assists, he has twenty points this season.


Matt Moulson is not far behind.  He has seventeen points this season, and leads the team with ten assists.  Together, Matt Moulson and John Tavares have combined to score eighteen goals, assist on nineteen others, and have thirty seven points between them.  If we add Brad Boyes' four goals and eight assists, the line has produced forty nine points.


In New Jersey, David Clarkson continues to give the Atlantic Division hell.  He is out to prove last year's thirty goal season was no fluke.  With ten goals already in fifteen games, Clarkson is well on his way.  He plays on the second line along side Patrick Elias and Adam Henrique.  With six assists, David Clarkson has sixteen points this season.  Patrick Elias is having a renaissance season.  He has four goals, and leads the team with fifteen assists, and nineteen points.  Adam Henrique was a late comer to the ice after first having to recover from off-season surgery.  In ten games, he has contributed four goals and two assists.  Combined, this line has scored eighteen goals, assisted on twenty three more, and have produced thirty one points.  The Devils first line however, is now comprised of recently re-acquired Alexi Panikarovsky, Ilya Kovalchuk, and Travis Zajac.  Kovalchuk and Zajac have combined on eight goals and twelve assists, for twenty points - mostly by Kovalchuk's doing.  Coach DeBoer has at times included Adam Henrique, David Clarkson and Stephane Matteau on this line.


The Devils lost a lot of production with Zach Parise's departure to Minnesota.  Ilya Kovalchuk's goals are down if only somewhat since his Atlanta days.  This is due in part for having sacrificed somewhat to fit into the Devils system.  Being the Devils are in first place, the Devils philosophy clearly trumps personal achievement.  And so, Kovalchuk should be fine.  He recorded his 800th NHL point recently.


The Rangers top line - the Rangers have no top line.  Not with the way Coach Torts mixes and matches throughout games.  As a Rangers fan, I would like for Coach to set his lines and stick with them.  In a shortened season, sometimes thinking needs to bend and adapt to circumstances.  There is little time for experimentation right now.  That said, Brad Richards has made setting the forward lines a bit of a task.  His struggles have reached prolific levels, and so Brad Richards was shown the bench last week versus the Islanders.  He was skipped over during numerous third period shifts, and  additionally sat out a power play opportunity before Coach returned him to the ice for overtime.  Much more noticeable than Brad's shortcomings however, was the way John Tavares and his line skated circles around the Rangers on Valentine's Day from literally the beginning of the game, all the way to the end.


Coach Torts started the season stacking the first line with Rick Nash, Brad Richards, and Marian Gaborik.  But when the third and fourth lines crumbled, the GM tweaked the roster, while Coach relented and spread forwards around.  Brad Richards now skates on one of the top two lines with Marian Gaborik and Ryan Callahan.  The three have combined to score twelve goals, assist on thirteen others, and produce twenty five points.  Marian Gaborik is the team's leading scorer with six goals, four assists, and eleven points.  While Brad Richards is the provider of two scant goals, and eight assists.


The Rangers other-other first line is presently comprised of new stud import, Rick Nash, Derek Stepan, and Carl Hagelin.  Rick Nash's numbers look like the rest of the Blueshirts - average.  He has three goals and eight assists.  Though his numbers aren't reflective of his skill, his overall play has met fan's expectations so far.  However, the relentless Carl Hagelin has been the Rangers best forward lately.  He too sits at eight points for the season.  But he has four goals in his last three games.  Even if you mix and match the Rangers three top forwards, they still wouldn't equate with the production the Devils and Islanders top lines are pumping out.


Since arriving in the NHL, the Islanders top line featuring John Tavares has competed with every one of the league's best forward trios.  With so many other issues befalling the Islanders however, no one hardly seems to notice.  The Islanders are presently winners of two in a row.  The John Tavares/Matt Moulson combo has spent the last two games providing the other two area hockey clubs with a tutorial in first line scoring.  The Islanders clearly sport the top line in the NY/NJ hockey area.  In a more closely contested comparison, the John Tavares/Matt Moulson combo also holds a slight points scored advantage (39/35) over the Devils David Clarkson/Patrick Elias duo.  The top Rangers combo?  I'm a fan.  Why would I want to embarrass them?


Islander fans can only help but think, if only there was a correlation between first line play, and positioning in the standings.  But the papers say the Islanders are in fourth place, two points behind the Rangers, and eight points behind the Devils.  The Rangers, with by far the most unsettled forward lines of the three teams, play as Coach Torts dictates.  While in New Jersey, the Devils just continue to adhere to their system, and win.



Mike.BTB

Devils vs. Islanders - IV

From the desks of:   THE BROAD STREET DEMONS  &  BROOKLYN's FOSTER HOCKEY CLUB

Saturday Night Hockey

 

New Jersey Devils

vs.

New York Islanders

From

Long Island, N.Y.

 

 

Devils lead Series 2-1

I - NJD 2; NYI 1

II - NYI 5; NJD 4*

III - NJD 3; NYI 0

*overtime

New Jersey Devils - David Clarkson and Patrick Elias Continue Giving Atlantic Division Hell.


Friday night, David Clarkson continued his assault upon the Atlantic Division.  At 10:43 of he third period, his redirection goal put the Devils ahead 4-3, after falling behind 3-1 to Philadelphia in the first period.  Travis Zajac opened all scoring just 0:40 seconds into the game.  Then Philly scored three unanswered goals before the period was through.  The Flyers took eleven first period shots against Martin Brodeur.  However, Brodeur regrouped, and kept Philly off the scoreboard the rest of the way.


Just 0:26 after dropping the puck on the second period, Alexi Ponikarovsky made it a 3-2 game.  At 15:40 into the period, Patrick Elias scored his fourth goal of the season to tie the game at three all.  Ilya Kovalchuk assisted on all three Devils goals.  In the second period, Martin Brodeur faced another eleven shots, with far better results.


Midway through the third period, David Clarkson struck for his club leading tenth goal of the season.  With a minute and a half left in the game, Steve Bernier put a feather in the Devils cap with his fourth goal of the season.  Patrick Elias picked up two assists in the period.


Philly out-shot the Devils by a 28-19 margin.  David Clarkson led the Devils with six shots on goal in twenty four shifts.  With three points on the night, Patrick Elias now leads the Devils with eighteen points, and fourteen assists.  The Devils have three forwards with double digit points.


The Devils are now 9-2-3 for the season, and winners of six of their last seven games.  They still lead the Atlantic Division with twenty one points; one point better than Pittsburgh; and own the best goal differential in the division.  Martin Brodeur won his seventh game of the season, and the 663rd of his career.


B'Klyn/New York Islanders - Rumor; Wang Wants To Sell Team.


On Saturday, the New York Post reported owner Charles Wang might possibly be selling the team.  This latest development comes on the heals of the Islanders not being able to secure an arena deal in Nassau County, and announcing the team will move to Brooklyn to play in Barclays Center beginning with the 2015-2016 season.  The club has not commented.  But why shouldn't he sell?  The Islanders have lost/cost him a fortune to operate.  One man can only take so much.  With his hopes to build the Lighthouse Project in Nassau County long extinguished, there really is no reason for him to hold onto the team anymore.


On the ice, the Isles snapped a five game losing streak Thursday night, with a comeback, shootout victory over the New York Rangers.  The Rangers jumped out to an early 2-0 first period lead.  But the Islanders stormed back in the second period to take a 3-2 lead.  John Tavares scored the tying goal.  In shootout, he beat Marty Biron for the game clincher.  John Tavares has eight goals and eight assists to lead the team.


The Islanders are 5-7-1 (11 points) this season, and currently occupy last place in the Atlantic Division; ten points behind the Devils.



Mike.BTb

N.J. Devils: Newark Sweeps Home And Home From Penguins

From the desk of:   THE BRICK CITY DEMONS

NEW JERSEY DEVILS - David Clarkson Continues Pitching His Fork Into Atlantic Division Foes.

Broad Street Demons In First Place At First Quarter Check Point

 

 

The Devils extended their first place lead over the Pittsburgh Penguins by sweeping both games of a home-and-home series.  Sunday evening in Steel City, David Clarkson's hot scoring touch continued with two more goals, bringing his season total to nine.  Along with Ilya Kovalchuk's fourth goal of the season coming in the second period, the Devils rode a 3-0 lead into the third session.  James Neal scored for Pittsburgh, to get them within two goals of Newark.  But Johan Hedberg made sure the Penguins scored no more.  The Devils back-up stopped twenty three of twenty four shots to record his second win of the season.


Pittsburgh had more shots on goal, more hits, and won more face-offs than the Devils.  Newark also committed more penalties.  The Penguins were 1 for 3 on the power play.  David Clarkson's second period goal made the Devils a perfect 1 for 1 on the power play.  David had five shots on goal in twenty one shifts to lead the team.  He and Patrick Elias, who assisted on Clarkson's PP goal, are now tied for the team lead with thirteen points.  Ilya Kovalchuk was next in with only three shots on goal in twenty eight shifts.


The Devils now lead the Atlantic Division with nineteen points, three points better than the Pens.  They are also riding a five game win streak in which they defeated the Pens twice, Tampa, the Rangers, and Islanders.  Their lone regular season loss incidentally came against Pittsburgh back on February 2nd.  The Devils are now 8-1-3 for the season.  One quarter of the regular season is now complete.




* Devils Playground Graffiti
Mike.BTB

N.J. Devils Take First Battle of the Hudson

From the desks of:   RAISE GRESCHH WITH THE GREATS  &  BRICK CITY DEMONS

Battle of the Hudson

 

Final:

Rangers  1

DEVILS 3

 

 

Look what the Devils did to the New York Rangers...again.  Martin Brodeur, Patrick Elias, and David Clarkson were most responsible for denying the Rangers a measure of revenge against the team which eliminated them from last season's Eastern Conference finals.

 

 

After allowing three third period goals against Pittsburgh, and getting the next game off, Martin Brodeur returned fresh to stop twenty four of twenty five shots and earn the 660th victory of his career.  Other than a Chris Kreider shot and score from point blank range, the NHL's all-time wins leader made a series of remarkable saves reminiscent of last years playoff effort that had the Rangers so frustrated.

 

 

Devils fans no doubt must be happy with the return of Adam Henrique.  He quite literally picked up where he left off against the Rangers - celebrating a goal.  In just his fourth game back, he opened up the scoring Tuesday night with a first period goal; his second of the season.  Patrick Elias picked up the primary assist.  It was the first of three assist the Devils all-time winger would accumulate Tuesday night which tied a career game high.  That raises his team leading total to eight for the season.

 

 

The second assist on Henrique's goal went to David Clarkson.  Just yesterday I made mention of Clarkson's quick start.  Coming into the game, he led the Devils with five goals and nine points.  After dispatching the Rangers, David Clarkson skated off the ice with seven goals and twelve points in just nine games.  The Devils need Clarkson to replicate his breakout 30-goal season he had last year.  For the moment, the Devils couldn't ask for more.
 

 

For the game, Devils forwards made a first period mess in front of Henrik Lundqvist that the Rangers goalie had a hard time cleaning up.  The Devils were 1 for 4 on the power play.  The Rangers were held scoreless in five opportunities.
 

 

The Devils win their fifth game, and gained their thirteenth point of the season.  Pittsburgh defeated the Islanders, and therefore the Devils could not gain ground on the Atlantic Division leader.


Meanwhile, the Blueshirts malady continues.  At The Rock in Newark, "Rangers Suck!" was the anthem of the night.  For starters, Dan Girardi was scratched from Tuesday's game.  He is suspected to have suffered an injury against Tampa.  Then to literally add insult to injury, the Rangers had four first period power play opportunities and came up empty each time.  Marian Gaborik led the Rangers with five shots on goal.




Mike.BTB



Rangers vs. Devils - Battle Of The Hudson - I

From the desks of:   RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS  &  BRICK CITY DEMONS

BATTLE OF THE HUDSON

 

TUESDAY NIGHT
Game One of Four

 

NEW YORK RANGERS

vs.

New Jersey Devils

From

The Rock,

NEWARK



 

 

The rematch is upon us.  Lets get ready to rumble..!  And for Coach DeBoer and Coach Tortorella, it's hello douche bag!  Good to see you again.

 

After last season's Eastern Conference championship round, the Rangers/Devils rivalry should be full steam ahead again.  For now, the Devils hold sway.  As of Monday, Newark has eleven points and sits in second place of the Atlantic Division behind Pittsburgh.  The Rangers have eight points and find themselves in fourth place just ahead of Philadelphia.

 Since 1982-1983, the Rangers and Devils have met 218 times during the regular season.

The Rangers enjoy a slight advantage in the all-time series.

N.J. Devils; W-90 L-94 T-27 OL-7 Pts.-214 Goals-659

N.Y. Rangers; W-101 L-84 T-27 OL-6 Pts.-235 Goals-722

 

 

 

New York Rangers: Mike Rupp Exiled To The Wild of Minnesota for Pair of Younger Forwards.


It's a new season.  But I'm sure there is no love lost between the two coaches.  Only now Torts has a problem on his hands.  The former Devil, Mike Rupp, is now a former Blueshirt as well.  The New York Rangers parted with their second top fighter from last season.  Mike Rupp was traded to the Minnesota Wild.  It was a good pick-up by the Wild, as Rupp will give them size and toughness at no real tangible cost.  The Rangers get younger, but not much else.  That leaves Coach Torts with Stu Bickel and Aaron Asham as his top glove droppers.


This Rangers dilemma is still evolving.  But I'd still like to think my incessant complaining over Mike Rupp this season precipitated this trade.  As if...but I am definitely enjoying a bit of validation when this blog said A) - this roster needs definite tinkering at forward, and B) - Mike Rupp needed to go.  The ice time he was getting was preposterous.  Last season, Brandon Prust led the team with twenty fights.  Rupp was second on the team with twelve.  Stu Bickel was third with six fights.  Prust, and now Rupp, are gone.
 

 

In return for the big lumbering Mike Rupp, the Wild will be sending the Rangers centerman Darroll Powe and Nick Palmieri.  Powe is six years younger that Rupp, and is a defensive minded forward. As with Rupp, the Rangers shouldn't expect any scoring out of this kid.  He is also about thirty pounds lighter than Mike Rupp too.  Palmieri is twenty-three years old, and plays right wing.  Palmieri most likely seems headed to Connecticut.  And word on NHL Network is Darroll Powe will join him.  Upon the trade, the Rangers also called-up J.T. Miller and Brandon Mashinter.


The Rangers responded nicely to getting beat rather handily by Pittsburgh last Thursday.  The Penguins' effort was in itself unspectacular.  That means the Rangers were down right pathetic suffering through a 3-0 loss.  But then against the Lightning in Tampa, the Rangers held on to a 3-2 lead to give back-up goalie Martin Biron the win in his first start of the season.  Rick Nash scored his second goal of the season and continues to be the Rangers best player.  I want to see him be a little more greedy with the puck and shoot more.  Marian Gaborik leads the Rangers with five goals.  And an unlikely Taylor Pyatt is second with three goals this season.

 

 

 *   *   *   *

 

New Jersey Devils: David Clarkson And Steve Bernier Overshadowing Ilya Kovalchuk.


In the early going of the post Zach Parise era, David Clarkson has stepped up to fill the dreaded scoring void.  He has five goals in eight games, and nine points in all.  Clarkson scored a career high thirty goals last season.  Right now he is operating at an accelerated pace.  I tend to believe as Clarkson goes, so go the Devils.  Steve Bernier is second on the club with three goals.  Ilya Kovalchuk is still stuck on two.  The Devils recently played four straight games that went into overtime.  They lost three times and dropped one in shoot-out.  This is a very short season.  If Ilya doesn't find his form of just two or three years ago quickly, the Devils will find themselves on the losing side of many more overtime sessions to come.  They rank among the bottom fourth in conference scoring.  However, some things about the Devils never change.  Only two Eastern Conference teams have allowed less goals than Newark.  Within the division.., none.


Newark and back-up goalie Johan Hedberg are coming off a shut-out victory over the Islanders - a game which halted a streak of four games without a win.  Prior to the Isles, the Devils suffered their first regulation time defeat of the season to the Penguins.


In game two of the season against Philadelphia, Martin Brodeur extended two of his all-time NHL records.  In addition to earning his all-time leading 658th career win, he also recorded his all-time leading 120th career shut-out.  Also of note, with a goal and two assists in game four of the season against Montreal, Patrick Elias scored his all-time franchise leading 900th point of his Devils career.




Mike.BTB

Hockey Round-Up: Arnott Deal Off - Devils and Islanders Both Lose In Canada

 

 

Metropolitan Area Hockey Report: Sunday Night Pucks

 

1) - DEVILS............3-0-1   7 pts.

2) - ISLANDERS.....2-2-1   5 pts.

3) - RANGERS........2-3-0   4 pts.

 

NEW YORK RANGERS - Jason Arnott Fails Physical - Deal For Free Agent Center Is Off.


Thirty-eight year old free agent centerman Jason Arnott did not pass his physical.  He will not be joining the Rangers.  Several team doctors saw him on Saturday.  But an espnNY report states the team hasn't disclosed why Arnott did not pass.  Regardless, for the Rangers it's now back to the 'ol drawing board.


As they still need to acquire reinforcements for their back forward lines, on Thursday the Rangers completed a deal with the Penguins sending Chad Kolarik to Pittsburgh in exchange for twenty-five year old winger, Benn Ferriero.  Kolarik was the Whale's leading scorer this season, while Ferriero is labeled as a strong two way player.  He immediately saw ice time as Chris Kreider spent last Thursday's game in Coach Tortorella's doghouse.  But he also did not play Saturday against the Leafs.  It turns out he is day-to-day with a bone chip in his ankle.  Kreider is also speculated to be headed back to the AHL Connecticut Whale.


The Rangers get to enjoy a rare few days off until they host the Flyers on Tuesday, and the Penguins on Thursday.



NEW JERSEY DEVILS - Lose To Habs In Overtime.  Patrick Elias Scores Point #900 Of His Devils Career.


Up in the Great White North, the New Jersey Devils overcame a 2-0 deficit, and a 3-1 deficit to tie the Montreal Canadiens, and send their game into overtime.  The Devils got a second period goal from Patrick Elias to make it a 2-1 game.  Two minutes into the third period, former Rangers, Brando Prust put Montreal 3-1 again.  David Clarkson then scored his third goal of the season on a power play.  And Dainius Zubrus tied the game 3-3 with seven minutes left in regulation time.  Four minutes into the extra session, Andy Greene got whistled for holding.  Twenty one seconds later, career long Canadien Andrei Markov scored the game winner for Montreal.  In four games played, that was the Devils first loss, overtime or otherwise.


* Patrick Elias' second period goal was the 363rd score of his Devils career.  His third period assist of Clarkson's goal was the 536th assist of his career.  He then assisted again on Dainius Zubrus' goal.    His three point evening gives him 900 points for his Devils career.  All three are Devils records.

* corrected 1am Monday morning - failed to realize Elias had second assist.



NEW YORK ISLANDERS - Brooklyn's Foster Team Starts Season With Five Points In First Five Games.


After two more seasons playing in Uniondale, Long Island, the Islanders Hockey Club will relocate to Brooklyn for the 2015-2016 regular season, and call it home for at least the following twenty-five years thereafter.  That's how long the lease to play in Barclays Center extends.  If the Islanders moving to another city represented the worst case scenario, then I guess a move to Brooklyn was a best case scenario for their fans.  After a very long and drawn out negotiation process trying to secure a deal with Nassau County on a new arena, and a No-Vote by the local residents who's taxes would have been affected by such a deal, and in addition to losing millions of his own dollars in the process, give Charles Wang all due credit for keeping the team in the area and still well within reach of its core fan base.


Sunday evening, the Islanders visited the Great White North as well.  The Isles were trailing the Jets 2-1 after two periods in Winnipeg.  It was the Islanders who jumped out to a 1-0 lead on David Ullstrom's 2nd goal of the season.  But midway through the period, Winnipeg tied it.  In the second period, the Jets went ahead.  Just 0:22 into the third period, John Tavares scored his first goal of the season, tying the game at two all.  Then at 5:09, Matt Moulson (3) deflected a John Tavares shot which fooled Winnipeg's Al Montoya to give the Isles a 3-2 lead.  At the midway point of the third, Mark Streit scored on a power play to make it 4-2 Islanders.


Three third period goals by the Islanders however, went for not.  At 12:59, Winnieg scored on a power play, after David Ullstrom got whistled for hooking.  Then just one minute and five seconds later, Winnipeg put another puck passed Isles goalie, Evgeni Nabokov, to tie the game at four goals apiece.  And so, like the Devils/Canadiens game, this contest went into overtime.


When Keith Aucoin misfired and turned the puck over in the offensive zone, Winnipeg's Olli Jokinen rushed up the left side and ripped a shot on goal at Nabokov.  At 1:59 of the extra session, the rebound went to Evander Kane who then scored the game winner.


Like the Devils, the Islanders also lose in overtime up in the Great White North.




Mike.BTB

New Jersey Devils: Newark Needs Kovalchuk Of Old

From the desk of:   THE BRICK CITY DEMONS


NEW JERSEY DEVILS - With Zach Parise Gone To Be Wild, Who Will Fan The Fires Of Newark Now?

Patrick Elias' Swan Song?

How is New Jersey going to get back to the finals?  That's a devil of a question.  I've been forecasting the Devils' demise for a couple of years now.   Yet they earned 102 points last season, defeated the Eastern Conference regular season champs, and competed for a Stanley Cup.  But was Adam Henrique's goal in Game 6 of last season's Eastern Conference final the Devils last hurrah?  Because after celebrating that goal, they had nothing left.


Martin Brodeur, the NHL's soon to be forty-one year old, all-time, multi category leader for goalies, is, well..., forty-years old.  Was last season his final hurrah?  In fifty nine starts, Brodeur was 31-21 last season.  His .908 Save% ranked below his career average.  His 2.41 GAA was certainly not his highest.  Brodeur's work load is clearly on the way down.  But in a compressed forty eight game schedule, how many games should he start?  Marty's history says he will have another solid season.  Even though Johan Hedberg is ancient in his own right at thirty nine years old, he proved he is no slouch between the pipes.  Between these two geezers, the Devils should have flexibility in net and enough potassium and zinc to get through a season.  They will both benefit from having a good defense in front of them.


What of the Devils other Renaissance Man?  Last year Patrick Elias matched his highest point total (78) since he tallied 81 points during the 2003-2004 season.  His twenty six goals were his second most over the last seven years.  Patrick Elias will now turn thirty seven years old in April.  He will also be a free agent after the season.  Will the 2013 season be his swan song?  The answer should be yes.  But then, look at Marty.


Patrick Elias rewrote the Devils offensive records:

* Holds record for most points in a single season - 96
* Devils all-time playoffs leader in goals, assists, points;  45-80-125
* Devils all-time regular season leader in goals - 361
* Devils all-time regular season leader in assists - 440
* Devils all-time regular season leader in points - 894


He and Martin Brodeur will surely be the next Devils greats to have their numbers retired, and their jerseys lifted to the rafters........ if they ever retire!  But if last season was the hypothetical question, then the answer should surely be - Why should they?  Unfortunately for Devils fans, Patrick Elias' goal count will not change the new condition of the Devils.


Without Zack Parise, the Devils scoring ability has been severely depleted.  All sticks quite literally now point to their ridiculo-million dollar forward, Ilya Kovalchuk, who, through his own devise, recently made fans question his commitment to the New Jersey Devils.  He is here now.  But will he score goals....lots of them?  Last season his total finally started creeping back near his earlier career numbers.  For seven seasons between 2002-2003 and 2009-1010, Ilya Kovalchuk averaged forty four goals a year.  Over that span, he eclipsed forty goals a season six times, and fifty goals twice.  Last year's thirty seven goals was a step in the right direction.  But the Devils need the Kovalchuk of just three years ago to partly compensate for the departure of Zach Parise and Petr Sykora.  Kovalchuk is still only twenty-nine years of age.  That is a good thing.  But they need the former younger Atlanta sniper of old.


I think Adam Henrique is a marvelous player.  But the Devils must first wait till he fully recovers from off-season thumb surgery.  Then maybe the Devils can hope to get more than sixteen goals from him.  Travis Zajac, recently signed to a big money deal, missed most of last season.  The Devils need for him to contribute a respectable number of goals.  If he can get back to his twenty to twenty five goal form, that would sure go a long way towards getting his team from Point-A to the playoffs.


I hold a small notion that as David Clarkson goes, so go the Devils.  Last season was a career year for him, as he scored thirty goals, which was thirteen more than his previous regular season high of seventeen.  Somewhere between ten and thirty goals, lies Clarkson's upcoming season assuming he stays healthy.  Can he duplicate a thirty goal season?  I think the Devils will be happy with twenty, and ecstatic with twenty five.  But they need at least fifteen goals from their twenty eight year old center.  They can not afford to have Clarkson disappear the way he did at times throughout the playoffs.  He needs to be a nightly force.., when he is not in the box, that is.


After that, the Devils utilize the neutral zone like a nursery for potential goals.  Once again, they will rely more on a system than they will on one individual not named Kovalchuk.  Thing is, the Devils, Lou Lamoriello, and Coach DeBoer all know how to make it work.


Congratulations to Bryce Salvador for being named new Captain of the Devils.

2013

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

REGULAR SEASON OPENER

 

New Jersey Devils

vs.

Long Island/Brooklyn Islanders

FROM

Uniondale, Long Island

 

 

Mike.BTB

N.J. Devils ~ Marty Brodeur Has Newark California Dreamin'

From the desk of:   THE BRICK CITY DEMONS

GAME FIVE FINAL

L.A. KINGS    1

N.J. DEVILS   2

NEW JERSEY DEVILS:  Headed Back to the City of Angels With Pitchforks Held High!


The fore-check, Zach Parise, and a power play goal all in one package.  It didn't take two and a half periods this time.  It took a little more than half of the first period to get on the board this time.  The Devils had scored the all important first goal of the night.  It was Zach Parise's first point of the Finals.  And it was also New Jersey's first power play goal of the series after fifteen fruitless chances...., Finally.

But through the first period, L.A. continued to out shoot the Devils.  Their shooting spilled over into the second period, and a little over three minutes in, the Kings' Justin Williams scored to tie the game at one.

The shots on goal favored the Kings twelve to six by the midway point of the period.  But that mattered not to Bryce Salvador.  He wristed one from up top, with David Clarkson in Jonathan Quick's way.  That puck found net at the 9:05 mark to put the Devils back ahead again.

Mark Fayne probably had his named mentioned for the first time since playing the Rangers when he assisted on Salvador's goal, which by the way, were two more points for New Jersey's defensemen.  But soon after scoring, Fayne then committed an ill-timed delay of game penalty.  During the PK, Martin Brodeur was needed to stop a puck off Doughty's stick right at New Jersey's doorstep.  Then a Kings' goal was dis-allowed due to a high stick.  And luckily for Mark Fayne, a crisis narrowly avoided.

The Devils continued to carry play through the rest of the second period.  At one point, Ryan Carter found himself with a nice opportunity and put a shot off Quick's mask.  But just as New Jersey was exerting control, Bryce Salvador got called for a high stick, putting L.A. on the power play with less than two minutes to go.  Martin Brodeur was excellent in holding off the Kings until the horn signaled the end of the second period.


The Kings out shot the Devils in the third period again.  And for the game, they out-shot New Jersey by a 26-19 margin.  Martin Brodeur made twenty-five saves on twenty-six shots, just as I said he would have to after Game Four:

"How much more can the renaissance men offer?  Are they crafty enough to win three more games?  Can Martin Brodeur hold back another seventy-five shots?  That's what it will take.  It's certainly another way of looking at things, isn't it?"

Well, make that twenty-five saves down, and fifty more to go.  Martin Brodeur has gotten the Devils half way to another Cup.  The Kings might be a game closer to glory, but in the grand scheme of things, what is winning two consecutive games really about?  We're not talking about four or three wins anymore.  It just two now.  And all you really have to worry about is the next one.  For now, that's all that matters..., again.

The third Battle in Newark is done.  This time Brick City prevailed.  The Kings have been repelled.  And the Devils are once again dancing around the fire with pitchforks held high.

Another battle in the City of Angels awaits.


SLAP SHOT:  I have but one question.  Can it be that Adam Larsson has no place in this series?  Coach DeBoer has made him a healthy scratch for all five games during the finals.  I realize he is a rookie.  But I think he can help the Devils.  Then again, it is hard to argue with New Jersey's defensive play so far, not to mantion, the continued defensive scoring should be complimented for producing points.



Mike.BTB

N.J. Devils ~ David Clarkson Must Help Spark a Comeback

Fromm the desk of:   THE BRICK CITY DEMONS

THE BATTLE OF NEWARK

GAME FIVE

NEW JERSEY DEVILS:  Call To Arms!

Defending Newark from Kings and Elimination

All the Kings Men Have Devils Pinned

Into The City of Angels

Devils Can't Afford Second Let Down in Newark

Kings Slay Devils in Overtime

David Clarkson Needs To Play a Disciplined Game Five, and Help His Team With a Goal.

Just one goal tonight, can help immeasurably.


Maybe it's just me.  I don't know.  David Clarkson was never a prolific scorer in his five years with the Devils.  But when you score thirty goals during the recent regular season, there is a reasonable expectation for more goals in the playoffs.


If the Devils are going to embark on a historic comeback, David Clarkson needs to stay out of the penalty box and chip in a little more with scoring.  It's that simple.  During the playoffs, he leads the Devils in penalty minutes .  And you can't score when you're in the box.


In 2009-2010, Clarkson only played half a season.  But he was on pace to serve well over 160 penalty minutes for the third straight season.  In those first three seasons, he scored 9, 17, and 11 goals, and those 11 goals in 2009-2010, could have translated into twenty with a full, healthy season.  This past regular season, David Clarkson brought his penalty minutes down to 138, and his goals scored skyrocketed to thirty.


Twenty-two penalty minutes in twenty-two playoff games played, may not seem too disturbing.  But in the playoffs, and currently against the Kings, it is still too much.  What I'm saying is, there's a direct correlation between David Clarkson being on the ice, and the Devils scoring, and ultimately winning.


He has three goals, but a solid nine assists in these playoffs.  That means he's involved and participating.  If he can just stay on the ice longer, he might score, and better the Devils' chances of  winning two games to tie the series.


Guys like Zach Parise are designed to be defended and neutralized.  It's simple.  Pick out a team's best scorer, and stop him.  The Kings have effectively done that.  The scoreboard after each game has reflected that as well.  The C-B-G Line, and Parise's Line, have have been effectively shut down.  But in the Kings' effort to stop Parise's line, they've allowed Adam Henrique, and Ilya Kovalchuck, who many believe is playing injured and with pure heart now, to play on.  For the Devils, all there is, is tonight.  Patrick Elias may or may not play big this evening.   He's been spotty.  That's why David Clarkson can give New Jersey's scoring an extra push.


Even though they are down 3-1 as a direct result of only scoring two goals in the first three games this series, the Devils have still played competitively against the Kings, but have just suffered some bad breaks, and perhaps made one or two mistakes more that Los Angeles has.  What Martin Brodeur and the Devils have been doing so far is keeping them in games.  If Adam Henrique continues to be New Jersey's best player this series, then perhaps David Clarkson can emerge as an X-factor again.  If David Clarkson can stay on the ice and finish his shifts, get shots on goal, and score just one goal, the Devils can win Game Five, and position themselves to tie the series in Game Six.


The Kings have made several Devils disappear.  If just one of them can reappear, then the Devils have a real and credible shot at a comeback, because the differences between how these teams have played is that slim.



* Devils Playground Graffiti - Bushwick, Brooklyn
Mike.BTB

N.J. Devils ~ Defending Newark From Kings and Elimination

From the desk of:   THE BRICK CITY DEMONS

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

Stanley Cup Finals

Kings Lead Series 3-1

I  -  LAK 2; NJD 1*

II  -  LAK 2; NJD 1*

III  -  LAK 4; NJD 0

IV -  NJD 3; LAK 1

* overtime

GAME FIVE

Los Angeles Kings

vs.

NEW JERSEY DEVILS

From

THE ROCK

Brick City, Newark

NEW JERSEY DEVILS:  Game Four's Counter-Offensive In Los Angeles Brings the Battle for Lord Stanley's Cup

Back to Newark.

How much more can the renaissance men offer?  Are they crafty enough to win three more games?  Can Martin Brodeur hold back another seventy-five shots?  That's what it will take.  It's certainly another way of looking at things, isn't it?  Martin Brodeur, along with Petr Sykora and Patrick Elias, are the last horsemen of the old Stanley Cup winning Devils.

Martin Brodeur looks up to the task.  But that doesn't rule out Jonathan Quick being better.  And Quick just needs to be better in one game.  Not three.

Coach DeBoer knows this, and reactivated Petr Sykora.  And who can blame him?  The Devils needed more scoring.  Say this for Coach DeBoer, he's been pro-active throughout these playoffs.  Did his move to reinstate Sykora help?  Sykora was plus-one, with one shot on goal.  So the jury is still out.

But I do not think it is a coincidence that Patrick Elias scored his fifth goal of the playoffs, and the Devils won.  I also do not think it was a coincidence, that Dave Clarkson registered a point, and the Devils won.  Likewise, with Ilya Kovalchuck's eighth goal of the playoffs.  If Kovalchuck is indeed hurt, he is still trying.

The Carter-Bernier-Gionta line has been quiet.  The Devils rode their backs for a few games.  So it's not like you can just stop expecting them to come through now.  And the Devils are also still waiting for Zach Parise to erupt.  Beyond a shadow of a doubt however, Adam Henrique continues to be the Devils' best player through this series.  He scored his fourth goal of the playoffs, and the Devils' second goal of Game Four, in the third period.  Without Henrique, where would the Devils be?  Certainly not in the Finals.

Adam Henrique's goal was the Devil's response to Los Angeles tying the game on Drew Doughty's power play goal at 8:56 in the third which negated Patrick Elias' score exactly one minute earlier.   Adam's goal turned out to be yet another game winner for Henrique during these playoffs.

The Devils are still spitting into the wind when it comes to the power play.  They are now 0 for 15 this series, while L.A. seemingly has their power play working now, as they have scored three times in the last two games on the man advantage.  That does not bode well for the Devils at all.  Not if they plan to win three games it doesn't.  The Devils can't realistically expect Martin Brodeur out-play that stat.

The Devils have proven this much during the series, they can defend Los Angeles for prolonged periods of play.  And finally in Game Four, they proved to themselves, they can score goals again.  They had to wait till the third period for the goals to come.  But throughout these NHL playoffs, three goals has proven to be good enough to win.

While the Devils keep waiting for a couple of their top scorers, to score..., more, in the mean time, the defensemen have been contributing their share of points.  Volchenkov, if you remember, scored in Game One.  Marek Zidlicky added an assist in Game Two, and most recently in Game Four, Bryce Salvador picked up two assists, and Andy Greene one.

If you're going put yourself behind 3-1 in the series, I guess heading back to Newark is the next best place to be.  And so, the Devils will try and hold home ice Saturday night.  They showed a lot of fight in Game Four.  There is still some fire burning in the Devils.  Saturday night, they dance again in Brick City.

Mike.BTB

N.J. Devils ~ All The Kings Men Have Devils Pinned

From the desk of:   THE BRICK CITY DEMONS

2011-2012

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

Kings Lead Series 3-0

I  -  LAK 2; NJD 1*

II  -  LAK 2; NJD 1*

III  -  LAK 4; NJD 0

* overtime

GAME FOUR ~ WEDNESDAY

NEW JERSEY DEVILS

vs.

Los Angeles Kings

From

Some West Coast Arena

SoCal

NEW JERSEY DEVILS:  After Game Three Victory,

L.A. Kings Poised To Lift Lord Stanley's Cup.

Devils' Flame Reduced to a A Mere Flicker.

Into The City Of Angels

Can't Afford a Second let Down in The Rock

Kings Slay Devils In Overtime

East Coast; West Coast; both coasts have been hell for the Devils.  They only managed one goal in each of the first two games in Newark.  In Game Three out in L.A., they had none.  The Kings?  They scored four.  For the series, the Kings now have eight goals, to the Devils two.  New Jersey can point directly at Jonathan Quick for most of their woes, because they actually have had quality chances.  But in a word, Kings' goalie, Jonathan Quick, has had New Jersey - bedeviled.

Whether the Devils managed too few shots like in Game One, or, almost doubled their shots on goal in Game Two, or fell somewhere in between like in Game Three, has not interested Jonathan Quick the slightest bit.  Neither has stopping the Devils in overtime for that matter, twice.


At the other end, after L.A.'s first goal and no whistle, for Martin Brodeur, there was only aggravation. Then after L.A.'s fourth and last goal, there was dejection.  The look on Coach Peter DeBoer's face was that of consternation.  And for the New Jersey Devils, they now face elimination.  History by the way, is not on Brick City's side.


Looking back, the Kings' long layoff between the Western Conference Finals, and Game One versus the Devils, didn't seem to bother L.A. much.  There was no rust.  As a matter of fact, travelling from the west coast to the east, didn't seem to bother them much either.  Nor did travelling back cross-country again for Game Three.  Afterall, New Jersey was making the flight for the first time.  Regardless, it seems as if nothing bothers the Kings right now.


Here's a weird stat - As the Devils' scoring has now taken a steep down turn from one to zero, their power play opportunities have gone up with each passing game.  New Jersey was 0-2 in Game One; 0-4 in Game Two; and 0-6 in Game Three.  That's 0-12 in the series.  Anyone will tell you, they needed to do better.  L.A. scored the first two power play goals of the series in Game Three.  Otherwise, the Kings have won the first two games at even-strength.  And it's not like the Devils have spent an inordinate amount of time on the penalty kill.  They've only committed five penalties all series.


The point is, the Devils have simply been getting out-played by Los Angeles, and it's happening five-on-five.  New Jersey's fore check hasn't been as effective as it was in the previous two rounds, and  their crisp passing isn't so crisp anymore.  While you can argue the teams played fairly evenly in the first two games, and the Devils might have been shorted a break or two, the Kings still thoroughly out-everything'd the Devils in Game Three.  And that's bad news considering the Devils are a long way from home.  If they should slip, if only slightly again in Game Four, that means there will be no Hockey this Saturday in Newark, or L.A., or anywhere.  It means the Kings' players will be taking the Cup on an unusual tour of places of the winning players choosing.


If Ilya Kovalchuck is playing hurt, no one on the Devils is saying.  But he remains without a goal in this series.  As does the Devils' Captain, Zach Parise, Dainius Zubrus, and Travis Zajac- meaning, the Devils first line.  First line, or even the new Fourth Line of Carter, Bernier, and Gionta aside, the fact is, regular season thirty-goal scorers, Patrick Elias and David Clarkson, still remain silent in the night.  The Devils' best player at the moment is rookie center, Adam Henrique.

I don't know how the Devils can pull this off.  History says they can't.  While we are at it, let's give full credit to Los Angeles for overwhelming the Devils thus far.  We all know the Devils can't win three times in Game Four alone.  They can only play, and win, one at a time.  And we all know who needs to finally show up in order for them to turn this around too.  But again, credit the Kings for making those same players disappear.




Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers ~ The King Lays Siege to Newark in Game Three

From the desks of:   RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS  &  THE BRICK CITY DEMONS

BATTLE OF THE HUDSON

NHL EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

RANGERS LEAD SERIES 2-1

I  -  NYR 3; NJD 0

II  -  NJD 3; NYR 2

III  -  NYR 3; NJD 0

IV  -  Monday Night

Rangers vs. Devils; Game Three at The Rock

John Tortorella Versus The Media

Devils Pounce on Blueshirts in Game Two

The King Puts Devils on Ice

Rangers Versus Devils; Eastern Confernce Finals

 

NEW YORK RANGERS:  Coach Torts Makes The Big Move.  Henrik Lundqvist Makes The Big Saves.  The Rangers' Defense Continues To Score The Big Goals.


John Tortorella threw the media a bone Saturday afternoon.  Either that, or someone above his head told him to cool out.  Or, was that just "post-big-win" John Tortorella speaking after Game Three?  In any case, will the Media mock the gesture, or will they play it straight?  The Sunday Papers await.


But while I'm at it, who in the Media is going to make a big deal that Stu Bickel was a healthy scratch after playing a horrendous Game Two?  I told you Coach was going to make him disappear.  I didn't need Coach to say anything in order to know that.  How many even noticed?  Like I said in Coach Torts Versus The Media, he treats all his players on an individual basis according to a team concept.  Different methods work for different players.  Coach Torts yelled at Stepan while on the ice, he yelled at Hagelin while on the bench, he nailed Gaborik to the bench, and scratched Bickel.  If you guys just report what you see, you'll better understand the methods to his madness without having to badger Coach Torts about it.  If players are not contributing to the team, within the spirit of team, or the Tortorella way, Coach said it very simply, they won't find the ice.


The Devils dominated the first half of Game Three..., again.  Just like they had for roughly four of the previous six periods of hockey before Saturday.  In the second period, after Henrik made one of his more miraculous saves against Ilya Kovalchuk during a furious second period surge by the Devils, Coach Torts had finally seen enough.  He called a time out, assembled his team together at the bench, and ripped them a new one.  In the ensuing minutes, the Devils continued to dominate play.  But by the time they reached the midway point of the second period, the Rangers' iceberg-like grind started to lurch forward again.


Over the first two periods, the Devils out-shot the Rangers twenty-six shots on goal to fourteen.  The Rangers put New Jersey on the power play three times over that span as well.  And for the most part, the first thirty-five minutes of the game were spent in the Rangers' defensive zone.  But the Devils kept getting turned back by Henrik Lundqvist time and again.


What ever Coach Torts said to his team during the second intermission, apparently worked.  The Rangers came out in the third period with purpose again.  It's the same two periods to one ratio they've been playing to so far.  Only, unlike the Devils, the Rangers have been cashing in on less opportunities.


At 3:19 into the final session, Dan Girardi scored on the second of the only two power play opportunities the Rangers would get all game.  Brad Richards picked up the primary assist by winning the face-off.  The Rangers lost the face-off battle by the way.  But one minute and fifty-seven seconds later, Chris Kreider deflected a Ryan McDonagh shot past Martin Brodeur to give the Rangers a 2-0 lead with 14:03 to go.  Ryan Callahan picked up an assist on the play.


With just over two minutes left in regulation, Peter Deboer pulled Martin Brodeur for the extra attacker.  Ruslan Fedotenko and Brian Boyle assisted, as Ryan Callahan foiled Coach DeBoer's strategy at the 17:47 mark by scoring into an empty net.


Henrik Lundqvist continues to be, not only the Blueshirts', but the NHL's MVP.  He needed to make thirty-six saves in order to record his third shut-out of these playoffs and his second over the Devils this series.  Marty Brodeur only faced twenty-one shots, and let two pucks get by.


Don't forget, in spite of a renaissance season for Martin Brodeur, he's still susceptible to the occasional stinker.  In Round One against Florida, Martin Brodeur was pulled by Coach DeBoer a game after shutting out Florida.  Against Philadelphia, the Devils routinely scored four goals a night, against A) - a goof-ball of a goalie, and B) - a very undisciplined Flyers team, who couldn't bring Jersey down to their level of un-sportsmanship.  And for all Marty's complaints about the MSG ice, and the boards, only the Rangers have truly been the victims, if not just unlucky, with regards to a bouncy puck. Improved ice surface, such as in The Rock, just serves to benefit the Rangers then.., No?


And to those who demanded Henrik Lundqvist be ultra-great in the previous round, and save the Rangers from elimination, or risk having the crown removed from The King's head, your liege has just recorded his second shut-out in the Eastern Conference Finals; not the second round.  There will be no lifting of his crown.  Not by your decree.


It is very unlikely the Devils will ever score four goals in a game this series.  It's even less likely the Rangers do it.  Yet, the Blueshirts continue to live off the scoring of their defensemen.  In Game Three, Dan Girardi (3) scored yet again in these playoffs.  Thus, the Blueshirts still manage to remain a game ahead of their competition through pure will and inch closer to the NHL Finals with the slow methodical power of an iceberg.  No one actually gets to see icebergs move.  But when you look back at the path they carved through a valley, you marvel at the power.


Back in the second period, Brandon Prust planted an elbow to the back of Anton Volchenkov's head.  The Devils' defenseman went down for a moment, but continued playing without incident or indication he may have suffered a concussion.  It was a play that will no doubt be reviewed by Brendan Shannahan.  There's less doubt Brandon Prust has a suspension coming his way as well.  After the game, Coach DeBoer called the play - "Head Hunting!" on Prust's part.  Coach DeBoer didn't mince any words.  I wouldn't go that far in defense of Prust.  But what Coach Deboer said is hard to argue.


Head Hunting aside, the Battle of the Hudson is also rapidly turning into an escalation of words.  And it is mostly coming from the Devils.  Martin Brodeur has been most vocal, sharing his disdain for the Rangers, the MSG crowd, and New York City itself.  After Game Two, he spoke derisively about the Garden's ice, the boards, the glass, and everything under the famed, spoked MSG roof.  And now Coach DeBoer just kicked things up a notch with his claims of head-hunting.  So now the Rangers, and John Tortorella in particular, has a two front Media battle on his hands.


In the case of Coach DeBoer and the Media, "the enemy of my enemy, is my friend."  When Coach Torts last directed a comment Peter DeBoer's way, the Rangers' Coach told him to shut up.  Coach Torts may have satisfied the Media Saturday, but how will the Media react when he clams up again?  And what if the Devils keep trying to get under the Blueshirt's skin through the Media?  We are only going on Game Four.  Most certainly, there will be so much more added to this drama.  And why shouldn't it start tomorrow?  Zach Parise ran off without speaking to the Media after a loss on home ice.  Is Torts not answering questions still worse?  Drama indeed - as it is, Game Three ended with tempers flaring.  The carry-over from Brandon Prust's hit, into Game Four will be something to monitor.


On yet another front, the battle of adjustments continues.  After the Rangers served in Game One, Coach DeBoer made adjustments to increase the Devils' speed and open opportunities with a stronger forcheck than New York's.  That, and David Clarkson happened to the Blueshirts.  He factored heavily in New Jersery's Game Two win.  But with no impact from David Clarkson, the Devils have dropped two now.  David had one shot on goal all game.  Coach Torts' biggest Game Three adjustment came when he called time-out.  Now it's DeBoer's turn again.  Or, do the Rangers take two in Newark?


This series is still going the distance.  The Devils will readjust.  The final adjustment comes in Game Seven.





Mike.BTB

NYR vs. NJD ~ Devils Pounce on Blueshirts in Game Two

From the desks of:   RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS  and  THE BRICK CITY DEMONS

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

BATTLE OF THE HUDSON

GAME TWO FINAL:

N.J. Devils      3

N.Y. Rangers  2

SERIES TIED 1-1

I  -  NYR 3; NJD 0

II  -  NJD 3; NYR 2

III  -  Saturday @ NJ

Kung-Fu Marty Back-Kicks Rangers

During warm ups, I told my son to keep his eye on Dave Clarkson at all times, and on Adam Henrique when the Devils had the puck.  Then with the score tied at two heading into the third period, the person to my left asked me what I thought.  I told her - I didn't know, and what bothered me was Dave Clarkson and Patrick Elias haven't really shown up for the Devils yet.  I was saying that about them last round also.

Then sure enough, at 2:31 of the third period, there were Adam Henrique and David Clarkson putting the Devils ahead 3-2, which would turn out to be for good.  If Dave Clarkson plays the rest of the series like he played in Game Two, the Rangers will have a big problem on their hands.

The Rangers have enough problems already.  For the second consecutive game, the Devils were better along the boards, crisper with their passes, and possessed the puck and played in the offensive zone a lot more than the Blueshirts did.  Only this time, that all translated into a win for New Jersey, as they  took a game outright from the Rangers.

Their top scorer, Ilya Kovalchuk, is scoring, a bouncy puck laid flat when New Jersey possessed the puck, and New Jersey now has Kung-Fu Marty between the pipes.  Martin Brodeur had himself a game of the ages; making a series of ridiculous saves.  On one save in particular, laid out on his belly, and made a back-kick save with the heel of his skate.  That's the kind of night it was for the Rangers.

Martin Brodeur faced twenty-five shots and made twenty-three saves.  His Devils mates took care of the rest.  And I'm sure Coach Torts is not all too pleased about it.  Expect Stu Bickel to wake up tomorrow morning in the dog house.  He had a terrible game.  Many more would find themselves there as well, but the League mandates teams dress a certain number of players.  The Devils made Marian Gaborik and Brad Richard disappear as well.  While on the other side, someone clearly blew a defensive assignment on Ilya Kovalchuck's goal, who was left all alone in the left circle to fire upon Henrik.  If I wore a Blueshirt for a living, I'd be expecting one of the hardest practices ever tomorrow.

The Rangers lost the face-off battle because the Stripes kept kicking out Blueshirts.  And so the Rangers were repeatedly forced to go with their second face-off man.  But the fact is, New Jersey is winning even strength play by a wide margin right now.  They have been matriculating the puck much more quickly than the Rangers have.  The Blueshirts are stick-handling in an most unnecessary manner, instead of just putting shots on net.  They hold, and allow the Devils to get position.  On the other side, the Devils receive passes and move the puck very quickly.

What we have now, is a series.  The teams will convene again for Game Three at The Rock in Newark this Saturday.

Mike.BTB

N.J. Devils ~ The Renaissance Men Dismantle Philly

From the desk of:   THE BRICK CITY DEMONS

NEXT!

Devils Set Broad Street Bully Dreams on Fire

NEW JERSEY DEVILS:  After Nine Years,

The Devils Are Going BACK..., to the Conference Finals!

Philly Cheese Steaks Fall to Brick City Demons in Five Games.

I - PHI 4; NJD 3

II - NJD 4; PHI 1

III - NJD 4; PHI 3

IV - NJD 4; PHI 2

GAME V FINAL:

New Jersey Devils     3

Philadelphia Flyers   1

Can we call it a sweep?  Not a clean one, but a sweep none the less?

Philly was able to advance past Pittsburgh because both teams were more that willing to throw Hockey in the back seat and just try to beat each other up.  That plays right into Philly's hands.  Their style of attack first also seems to work best against PITT as well.  Pittsburgh just lost all their composure.  Good job by Philly.  But against the Devils, they were forced to play hockey all game.

And after completely disassembling the Philadelphia Flyers over the course of the last four games, the New Jersey Devils are going to the Eastern Conference Finals.  They left their turnpike rivals behind in pieces.  It was a methodical dismantling.  Not a Philly style beat down.

Playing without the suspended Claude Giroux, the Devils still let Philly get on the board first..., again.  Max Talbot stepped in to fill Philly's void with a goal at the 7:18 mark of the first period.  The Devils answered that goal post haste.  Within two minutes, Bryce Salvador struck net with his second of the playoffs, and a tie, off feeds from Henrique and Kovalchuck.

The dormant stick of David Clarkson arose in this clinching game, to also net his second goal of the series.  Scoring unassisted at the 9:27 mark of the first, he gave the Devils and Marty Brodeur a lead they'd never relinquish.  It would be Dave Clarkson's second game winning goal against Philadelphia.  It also resulted from Ilya Bryzgalov's biggest mistake of the night.

Ilya Kovalchuck made Philly's comeback even more improbable when he scored his fifth goal of the playoffs at the 5:00 mark of the third period, on a power play off feeds from Henrique, Adam's second of the game, and Zubrus.

With 2:00 minutes-plus to go, the Flyers finally rid their net of Ilya Bryzgalov for the extra skater.  Marty Brodeur denied a Hartnell shot with 1:29 left.  At 1:07 the Devils got a clear.  At 0:47, they got another.  At 0:31, the Devils had an empty net goal waived off due to an offsides.

Philly took one last shot against Marty with 0:07 left and were denied again.  And that's how this series ends.  Martin Brodeur, the forty year old, made twenty-seven saves in all, on twenty-eight Philly shots on goal.

The Devils played their most disciplined hockey over these last two games.  They committed one penalty in all of Game Five, after limiting themselves to two early penalties in Game Four. 

What an amazing climb back to the Conference Finals for the Devils.  They never could recover from their horrific start to the 2010-2011 season, and thus missed the playoffs last season under a combination of John MacLean and Jacques LeMaire as Head Coach.  Of course we know LeMaire got them close, but alas no cigar.

I even said prior to their turning things around last season, that being as they will most likely lose Zach Parise to free agency, they should have traded him and finally closed the door on an era.  I also thought Kovalchuck's contract was literally and financially dancing with the devil.  Look at me now.  The Devils have been solid, consistent, and formidable all season.  Reinvesting in the back line with a pair of young draft picks like Adam Henrique and Adam Larsson, then picking up Zidlicki at the deadline have kept Devils' own defensive standards up to snuff this season.

As a Rangers Fan, this haunts me.  It's almost as if this is being set up to be Marty's Revenge for 1994.  But of course, the Rangers would have to win their series first, and that is another story.

The Devils.... The Mickey Mouse organization... are headed back to the Conference finals for the first time since their Stanly Cup winning 2002-2003 season.  Nine years later, Martin Brodeur and Patrick Elias return.  The renaissance men are back indeed.

After last season, Peter DeBeor was named head Coach by Lou Lamoriello and has since reintroduced the New Jersey Devils upon the National Hockey League.  His team will enjoy an extra day off or two.  In Marty's case, that might be just fine.  But here come the Devils!  Peter DeBoer's Devils.

Be afraid.  Be very afraid.





Mike.BTB