In Lou We Trust

Don't let the score fool you, the Devils did out play the Capitals. While the Capitals poured on the shots in the second and third periods; Martin Brodeur only had to make the big saves in the third period when Washington was desparate for a goal. That said, the three goals the Capitals did get were due to missed defensive coverage - as Brooks Laich and Alex Semin were wide open with no one on them to deflect a puck in/put home a rebound; or on a deflection by a defenseman's stick - which is how Lawrence Nycholat scored the first goal of the game. So the defense could be better; though I should give them credit by holding Washington to only 6 shots in the first period. Plus, I should give them and the checking line credit for holding Alexander Ovechkin to no points. Ovechkin gave Sergei Brylin a lot of respect as he told Steve Cangelosi after the first period that he was "a great player."

Fortunately, the Devils showed up on offense to put 35 shots on Olaf Kolzig. Scott Gomez had a huge night with 2 goals and 1 assist, playing like a guy getting paid $5 million per year should be playing. Clearly the #1 star of the game. Gomez revealed that someone "challenged" him to produce, and Gomez answered the call as Rich Chere reports in the Star Ledger (Gomez noted this to Steve Cangelosi after the second period). Was it head coach Claude Julien? Was it captain Patrik Elias? Was it someone in his family? Was it Lou Lamoriello "reminding" Gomez of his salary and his not-so-endearing numbers? Who knows and who cares, Gomez put up big numbers in a big game. As did Patrik Elias who had 2 assists and the game winning goal. The EGG line returned for this game and they cracked one on the Washington Capitals.