In Lou We Trust

I don't think I need to emphasize the importance of today's game. I've explained what I want to see in yesterday's rant about Game 2. Patricia at 2 Man Advantage is pleading for this team to win. IPB has their new IPB Power Hour (that is not actually an hour). In today's Star Ledger, Rich Chere article reports that the Devils themselves understand the importance of today's game. Historically, the Devils only came back from a 2-0 series deficit once and that was way back in 1994. Regardless, tonight's game is crucial. Therefore, I'm going to point out a lot of different things:

First, congratulations to the Boston College Eagles for winning the 2008 Frozen Four championship. They defeated the Norte Dame Fighting Irish 4-1, capping off an excellent year for BC sports. Forward Nathan Gerbe was the man of the day for BC with a brace and two assists, as well as being named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament. Too bad his rights are owned by Buffalo.

In other college hockey news, the Alaska Nanooks have had their first player named to the RBK All-American first team. Who is it, you ask? Offensive defenseman and Devils prospect, Tyler Eckford. Congratulations to Alaska and Eckford for the honors. The link gives the full list of All-American teams for this recent college season. As you would expect, Gerbe is on the first team as well. The Hobey Baker Memorial Award was won by Michigan forward and Phoenix Coyotes prospect Kevin Porter (h/t Mirtle). He was captain of the Wolverines, finished second in scoring this season (33 G, 30 A), and is considered to be a two-way forward. Congratulations to him as well.

I found this at HFBoards, 2008 prospect Nikita Filatov has a blog running at Sports.ru. For all of you who can read Russian or know someone who can, this should be an interesting read. The CSKA forward has already revealed that he wants to play in North America after being drafted. Should the translation at HF be true, I don't blame him - such a small amount of playing time is, I would think, counter-intuitive for develeopment.

From the It Could Be Worse File: The defending Stanley Cup champions dropped another decisive game at Anaheim to Dallas by the score of 5-2 last night. The Ducks had the second best record at home this season with 28-9-4, making this turn of events even more surprising. Poor, poor J-S Giguere!

I missed this earlier Pt. 1: According to Mirtle, the Washington Capitals are asking their fans to...Rock the Red. I know, it's not the same as "Rock Your Red" as the Devils have been promoting; but the Capitals marketing staff could use some originality. Maybe a picture of the Flyers logo with the words EPIC FAIL underneath.

I missed this earlier Pt. 2: The NHL site has celebrities blogging about the playoffs. For the Devils, it's director, writer, and legit Devils supporter Kevin Smith. I know this is a few days old but you get to learn what is at the bottom of his toilet. No, it's not the cover of Magnolia.

And for no reason at all, a video of a car chase. (Warning: Dirty language, inexplicable explosions)

Tom Gulitti is reporting at Fire & Ice that Vitaly Vishnevski will play in tonight's game. Andy Greene will be scratched. It's clear that Sutter is looking for additional physical play and size on the blueline since that's what Vishnevksi does best.

Let's go Devils. Take the train to victory-ville and happy-town; it's too soon for the off-season to begin.