Saturday, November 17, 2007
Tale of Two Games
On Friday, the Devils lost at home to the New York Islanders by a score of 1-0. The game featured a lot of defense, goaltending, a total lack of finishing by the entire Devils squad, Mike Mottau falling down on a power play, and Josef Vasicek getting a lucky bounce off Martin Brodeur's stick for the game's only goal. It wasn't a good game. More to the point, the Devils did not look good in this game. Patricia's post at 2 Man Advantage after the game was on point.
Tonight, the Devils went to Philadelphia and stomped all over the Flyers by a score of 6-2. The Devils led throughout the entire game after scoring. It wasn't perfect - the power play unit went 0 for 4 and the team took too many penalties with 6. But the penalty killers were perfect, Brodeur made a ridiculous save, and the Devils seemed to score in every way. Dainius Zubrus opened things up on a goal off a rebound. Karel Rachunek took a perfect slapshot that beat Martin Biron as he was rushing the puck up the ice. Patrik Elias scored off a rebound for the eventual game winner. Jay Pandolfo picked up a coughed-up puck, rushed up the left side of the rink and beat Biron short side. Brian Gionta finished up a what-should-have-been broken breakout by literally chipping the puck over Antero Niittymaki's shoulder and into the net. Zach Parise slid an Elias rebound through Niittymaki's 5 hole. It was all awesome. The defense was aggressive, the Devils successfully carried out some break-outs and carried the puck into the zone, and the Devils looked good. This is apparent in Josh's live-cap of the game at 2 Man Advantage.
I am, well, confused. We see the Devils play poorly one night and literally on the next night they look rather good. Which team are the real Devils? The one we saw tonight, or the one we saw on Friday? I really don't know. I hope it's who we saw tonight.
Until we see the Devils string together a couple of good performances in a row, I won't say that the team has turned the corner. But at least we know that the Devils definitely do have the talent and the work ethic to win hockey games - they just need to utilize both more often.
That all said, congratulations to Martin Brodeur for securing his 500th win! Roy's record awaits! And even that will fall in a few seasons. Keep on being the best, Marty! We're behind you 110%!
Labels: 2008 Postgame, 2008 Season, Devils Issues
# posted by John Fischer @ 9:39 PM 1 comments 
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Do you think the Devil's mercurial performance is a result of the new system or maybe a chemistry issue? I can't really tell, although I think the defense is slowly getting their act together and having Jaimie back is a positive.
Before losing to NYR and NYI they were on a little run of 4-2-0.
Also, how are your seats for the season? The building looks incredible.
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Before losing to NYR and NYI they were on a little run of 4-2-0.
Also, how are your seats for the season? The building looks incredible.
# posted by 
: 11:52 AM
: 11:52 AM << Home
