The CBGB line addressing media at the Stanley Cup Final Media Day. (via @DevilsGenerals/Twitter)

The Stanley Cup Final Media Day saw the members of the Devils talking to media and occasionally getting attacked by microphones. Today was truly the calm before the storm. On Wednesday a best-of-seven series beginning between the New Jersey Devils and the Los Angeles Kings will probably culminate, over time, in a few fights and doubtlessly some hostility.

For today, at least, the Devils were full of smiles.

» Continue reading “Calm Before The Storm: Devils At Media Day”

In just a few days from now, the Los Angeles Kings and the New Jersey Devils will play for the most coveted trophy in hockey, the Stanley Cup.

We are in for an entertaining series because we have two caliber goalies involved in the finals. Brodeur, who is at the end of his career, and Quick, who could break the records that Brodeur holds with the talent he’s shown so far.

The reason why I’m pointing out the goalies and the numbers is because as a pitcher I stress the earn run average that goes on record for every pitcher in baseball and with the goalies its about the goals against average.

Steven Stamkos scored 60 goals but the tampa bay lightning missed the playoffs. Why? Because the Lightning had given up the most goals against with 281. the lightning finished over 500 but they still had a worse goals against number than the columbus blue jackets who only won 29 games to the lightning’s 38 wins. these numbers make me cringe as a fan because of my pitcher instinct about ERA numbers.

With that, I will breakdown the numbers between Jonathan Quick and Martin Brodeur.
Quick has a goals against average of 1.54 with a save percentage of .946 and 12 wins during the playoffs and they are all the best among goalies during the playoffs but on the other side is future hall of famer martin Brodeur who basically has every goalie record there is.

Brodeur’s numbers is similar to Quick’s during the playoffs with a goals against average of 2.04, save percentage of .923 and he also have 12 wins but Brodeur has been doing this type of thing for the devils since 1993.

What it all comes down to it is this: Jonathan Quick’s numbers vs. Martin brodeur’s experience. Which will win out?

Add in guys like Zach Parise, Ilya Kovalchuk, Patrik Elias and Adam Henrique for the devils and Anze Kopitar, Jeff Carter, Dustin Brown, Dustin Penner and Mike Richards for the kings, this will be one fun finale for the NHL this year. We can only hope that we will have one next year and not head for a lockout with the CBA coming up for negotiations this summer.

Jesus Christ, again? (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

This will not be your typical recap, because this was not your typical game. Well, actually.

By all rhyme and reason, this was your average New Jersey game. They obtained a two-goal lead by absolutely dominating the first, then blew it by allowing the Rangers to gather momentum after a rush on the power play. The second and third periods belonged to the Rangers, but it wasn’t enough to get the puck past Brodeur.

The game went to overtime. Devils fans clutched at their hearts and poked needles into their voodoo dolls of the year 1994.

The game went to overtime, but our rookie won it for us this time. 1:03 into the extra period. Adam Henrique, doing it again. The final score: 3-2.

» Continue reading “Devils Advance to the Stanley Cup Finals, Defeat Rangers in the ECF 4-2″

Travis Zajac and Ryan Carter celebrate the tie game goal (The Star-Ledger)

The New Jersey Devils came flying on the ice and dominated Game 2 to even up the Eastern Conference finals against the New York Rangers.

The Devils had total domination of the first period both offensively and defensively.  Ilya Kovalchuk scored first on a PPG for New Jersey to take a 1-0 lead going into the first intermission.

Rangers had some domination in the second period.  Defenseman Marc Staal tied the game up in the second period, and rookie center Chris Kreider put New York ahead 2-1 on a PPG.  Travis Zajac was sent to the box for a 2minute interference penalty that led to the goal.

Ryan Carter tied the game up for the Devils with two minutes left in the second period and David Clarkson put the Devils ahead for good two minutes into the third.

Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur saved 23 of 25 shots and was unbelieveable.  He made a huge save off a Marion Gaborik shot that could have potentially put the Rangers back in the game.

“He’s calm, cool, and collected,”  said Devils rookie center Adam Henrique of Brodeur.  ”He plays the same way.  When he speaks up everybody pays attention.  He’s our leader.  He’s been in a lot of these playoff runs and everyone looks up to him.”

Rangers’s goaltender Henrik Lundqvist also had a very solid performance and saved 24 of 27 shots by the Devils.

The Devils weren’t able to beat Lundqvist with just simple shots.  Carter’s goal was a deflection off a shot by Bryce Salvador and Clarkson’s off an Henrique shot.  Getting creative with goals was the only way the Devils were able to get the puck in the goal past Lundqvist.

“Henrique shoots it and I’m trying to get a stick on it,”  said Clarkson on his goal.  ”I think as a team we needed to get the puck more on the net.  [Lundqvist] is one of the best goalies in the league for a reason and we needed to find a way to screen him.”

The Devils also worked more on faking shots to move Rangers defensemen out of the way of blocking shots rather than attempted to go around.

The series now moves to New Jersey on Saturday where both the Devils and the Rangers will fight to take a series lead.

The New Jersey Devils showed no signs of stopping and defeated the Philadelphia Flyers in the Eastern Conference semifinals to clinch a spot in the finals.

The Devils will face either the New York Rangers or the Washington Capitals.  The Rangers currently lead the series 3-2.

It is a pleasant surprise it only took five games to decide this series, but the Devils proved that they were the better team in this series.

The Flyers were missing their best player Claude Giroux.  Giroux was suspended after by the NHL for an illegal hit on Devils forward Dainius Zubrus and was forced to miss Game 5.  However, this was not the reason the Flyers lost this game.

Giroux did score two goals in the series, but was not able to commit the rest of the way. Giroux, like many of his teammates, were completely shut down throughout the series while the Devils were dominating all around, especially with their defense.

Maxime Talbot put the Flyers on the board early in the first period at 7:18 , but Bryce Salvador responded quickly to tie the game at 9:27.

David Clarkson put the Devils ahead for good scoring at 12:45 in the first period off a mental error by Flyers goalie Ilya Bryzgalov.  Bryzgalov looked to clear the puck, but did not pay attention to a charging Clarkson, and sent the puck right in the Devils’ direction.  The puck hit off Clarkson’s leg and was sent through Bryzgalov’s legs and into the goal.

Ilya Kovalchuk added the stinger for the Devils at 5:00 in the third to put the Flyers away for good.

Even after missing Game 2 with a back injury, Kovalchuk ended the series with seven points (two goals and five assists).  One of the assists came tonight on Salvador’s goal.

“It was a total team effort.  Great job by everybody,” Kovalchuk said in the postgame.

Devils coach Peter DeBoer was pround of his team sticking with the plan.  ”We recognized early what we needed to do to be successful.  Philly pushed back very hard tonight.  We got some saves when we needed to, and did what we needed to do to get a win,”  said DeBoer.  ”Our team is what’s making us successful.  Not individuals.  I’m really proud with our group.  Proud how we stuck to the game plan and proud how we turned the other cheek.”

Zac Rinaldo, who replaced Giroux tonight, committed a lot of questionable hits, one of which he was penalized for in the second period.  When asked about those hits, DeBoer said, “No opinion.  Just happy we won.”

Martin Brodeur made 27 saves tonight and was in prime form.  He only made one real mistake in the second period being caught behind the net, but got away with it when Danny Briere’s shot hit off the post.

The Devils will face either the Rangers or the Capitals in the next round.  When asked about facing either team, Kovalchuk said, “I watched last night’s game and it was a big turning point for the Rangers.  We’ll see tomorrow.”

Howard Simmons/New York Daily News

In the 20th overtime of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the New Jersey Devils took a 2-1 series lead over the Philadelphia Flyers.

Alexei Ponikarovsky was sent a brilliant pass from Ilya Kovalchuk for the shot on goal.  The first shot bounced off Flyers goalie Ilya Bryzgalov and Ponikarovsky rebounded for the game winner.

The Flyers committed to a change that cost them the game.  When Kovalchuk nearly turned the puck over, the two Flyers rookies headed to the bench for a change.  It led to an open lane to Ponikarovsky, and that’s all she wrote.

The Devils were brilliant in overtime killing off two powerplays to keep them alive.  This was their fourth overtime game so far in the 2012 playoffs and they have been successful in three.  Their only overtime loss came in game one of this series.

The Flyers drew first blood when Brayden Schenn scored on a powerplay.  The Devils gained a powerplay later in the period where Patrik Elias tied the game.  Twenty seconds later Kovalchuk gave New Jersey the lead.

Matt Carle tied the game up with a goal in the second period, but Devils Captain Zach Parise netted a goal to regain the lead in the third.  That lead would not last long when Danny Briere tied the game up to keep the Flyers alive.

Kovalchuk missed game 2 of this series with a lower body injury, but provided two assists and a goal.  One of the assists was in aide for the game winner.

Devils goalie Martin Brodeur saved 25 of 28 shots on goal.  Brodeur was very shaky and the goals that the Flyers scored were too easy for them.  Luckily, the Devils had an offense on fire to keep New Jersey in the game.

The Devils will approach game 4 on Sunday looking to take a 3-1 series lead on home ice.

Michael Karas / NorthJersey.com

At the start of the game, the Devils seemed to have full domination.  At the end of the game, the Flyers had complete control.

The New Jersey Devils are down 1-0 against the Philadelphia Flyers in a best of seven series in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.  They lost 4-3 in overtime.

The Devils had a fast start to the game when they led 1-0 in the first period thanks to a Zach Parise goal.  Travis Zajac and Petr Sykora also added goals to the game and Martin Brodeur made 32 saves on 36 shots.

The Flyers nearly won the game early into overtime, but it was called off when replays showed Danny Briere making a kicking motion to put the puck in the goal.  Briere wouldn’t be denied a second time after he scored the official game winner for the Flyers.

Briere also scored the first goal for the Flyers in the second period.  Claude Giroux netted a powerplay goal and James van Riemsdyk contributed to the Flyers score.

The Flyers hadn’t played a game since they eliminated the Pittsburgh Penguins exactly seven days ago, and at the start of the game it looked it.  They started to be more aggressive toward the end of the first period, and came flying out in the second and didn’t look back.

The Devils play the rest of the game became very sloppy and they committed too many turnovers that ultimately led to more opportunities for the Flyers.

Brodeur made some extraordinary stops throughout the game, but he is not the same leak-proof goalie he was over the years and let a few pucks pass him.

Ilya Kovalchuk seemed to be asleep throughout the game and his defense was no better.

For the Devils to take control of this series, they will need to win game two to even it up and take advantage on home ice.  If they play like they did in the first period, then they are still in this series.  If they play like they did in the second and third, then they won’t get far.

Round two of the Stanley Cups Playoffs has started, and the New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia Flyers begin their series today.

The Devils appeared in the playoffs 14 times in the last 15 seasons.  They missed last year after they started the regular season dreadfully, made a miracle run, but just came up short.

The Devils were the six seed going into the playoffs this year and were favored to defeat the three seated Florida Panthers.

The Devils led all of the NHL in powerplay kills during the regular season, killing 89.6%.  Their powerplay in the playoffs so far, however, was shaky.  They gave up nine goals against the Panthers and need to work on their PP kill against the Flyers.

The Devils during the regular season were the only team with three 30 goal scorers.  Ilya Kovalchuk led the team with 37 followed by Captain Zach Parise with 31 and David Clarkson with 30.  Two players also had 20+ goals in Patrik Elias (26) and Petr Sykora (21).

So far in the playoffs Kovalchuk and Travis Zajac are leading the Devils with three goals each, and Parise, Elias, Steve Bernier, Stephen Gionta, and the rookie Adam Henrique each have two goals a piece.  Both goals for Henrique came in game seven, the second was the game winner in double overtime.

Martin Brodeur had an up-and-down series against the Panthers and was pulled from game three after giving up three quick goals.  After that game he seemed unstoppable.  He shut the Panthers out in game four for his record breaking 24th career playoff shut out, and was rock solid in game seven to help the Devils move on to the second round.

Brodeur was 1-3 vs. the Flyers in the regular season.

Claude Giroux was an MVP for the Flyers throughout the regular season.  He was third in the NHL with 93 points, and has not slowed down in the playoffs.  He scored six goals, provided eight assists, and collected 14 points against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Danny Briere has also been a great asset for the Flyers scoring five goals.  He also has 104 career postseason points.  Max Talbot and the rookie Sean Couturier have three goals each.

Despite being an offensive force against the Penguins, they struggled a lot defensively.  They allowed 26 goals.  10 goals were given up in game four alone.  21 were given up by Flyers starting goalie Ilya Bryzgalov.

Bryzgalov had an up-and-down regular season, but had a good series against the Devils.  He went 3-0, and two of his six regular season shut outs were against New Jersey.

The Flyers barley won the series against the Devils in the regular season, posting a 3-2-1 record, and only outscored New Jersey 18-15.

Expect Giroux and Kovalchuk to be the stars of this series.  Giroux had four goals and three assists against the Devils this year, but Kovalchuk answered with two goals and six assists against Philly.

It’s going to be an offensive battle between the two teams this series and will be an exciting one.

My prediction:  Devils in seven.

Can YOU tell me what's happening here? (photo: screenshot/NHL.com)

This series is headed back to Florida. The New Jersey Devils were on the brink of elimination heading into tonight’s game and looking to save themselves and force a Game 7; the Panthers lead 3-2 and wanted to close out this series once and for all.

Steve Bernier opened up the scoring late in the third, much to the delight of the sold out New Jersey crowd. Ilya Kovalchuk added a power play goal 4:21 into the second frame, and the home side was up by 2. Moments later, Kris Versteeg cut the Devils lead to one with a shot that went off Alexei Ponikarovsky’s skate and into an open net.

After Sean Bergenheim slashed Kovalchuk and sent him to the ice, Florida managed a 4-on-2 rush that eventually led to Bergenheim tying the game when he collected Tyson Strachan’s rebound and put it past Brodeur while Marcel Goc dangled from the top of the net.

Yeah, I don’t know, either.

There was no scoring in the third period, so the game needed overtime to decide a winner.

Five minutes and thirty-nine seconds into overtime, Travis Zajac ended the game and saved the Devils from an early golf season.

Shots were 42-16 after 65:39 in favour of New Jersey; the Devils won 3-2.