Devils First Half Review

This'll be a report on ONLY players who've appeared in 15 or more games. Sorry, Clemmy and Dan LaCouture.

1. Martin Brodeur (G)
THE STATS: 46 GP, 29-13-4, 2.01 GAA, .928 Save Pct., 8 Shutouts
THE FACTS: An absolute renissance season for Marty. He IS The Devils this year. Any other goalie, and we are nowhere near 1st place in the Division, and probably not in the playoff picture. Destined to play 70 once again, hell, maybe even 80. He might be able to do it. If he is, and still has energy for the postseason, we will contend for the Cup again.

2. Patrik Elias (LW)
THE STATS: 47 GP, 16 Goals, 28 Assists, 44 Points, -3, 18:21 per Game
THE FACTS: Patrik's transition to captain of the team has been uneasy at times, but his desire to lead this club has been admirable, and the players definitely seem to have an unspoken respect for #26. His offensive play also seemed to struggle in the early going, but has picked up big time of late, and could reach 90 Points at season's end if he keeps playing this well.

3. Brian Gionta (RW)
THE STATS: 48 GP, 21 Goals, 17 Assists, 38 Points, -2, 19:16 per Game.
THE FACTS: Brian just continues to score goals. It hasn't been at the pace it was last season, but he'll net at least 35 and maybe 40 by year's end. Success has not turned Gio into any different a player, as he still goes all out on ever shift.

4. Scott Gomez (C)
THE STATS: 40 GP, 9 Goals, 27 Assists, 36 Points, +6, 18:38 Per Game.
THE FACTS: Scott has been considered by many to be a disappointment, but the last 10 or so games, he's started shooting more and has been rewarded with some higher stats lately.

5. Zach Parise (C)
THE STATS: 48 GP, 17 Goals, 19 Assists, 36 Points, +2, 17:09 Per Game.
THE FACTS: Everyone expected improvement from THE ZACH, but he has been absolutely unbelievable, with a great first half capped with an MVP award at the NHL YoungStars Game in Dallas.

6. Jamie Langenbrunner (RW)
THE STATS: 48 GP, 16 Goals, 16 Assists, 32 Points, -2, 18:40 Per Game.
THE FACTS: He's tapered off his torrent pace as of late, but Jamie Langenbrunner remains worth the investment we made on him in the offseason. The guy does nothing but score goals at the most important spot possible.

7. Brian Rafalski (D)
THE STATS: 48 GP, 2 Goals, 29 Assists, 31 Points, +2, 25:44 Per Game.
THE FACTS: I've been hard on Raffy this season, but he's logged key minutes and somehow come out half of the season a plus player. Sometimes he's been uncharacteristically out of position, but his offensive input remains absolutely invaluable.

8. Sergei Brylin (LW)
THE STATS: 48 GP, 10 Goals, 15 Assists, 25 Points, -2, 17:32 Per Game.
THE FACTS: No one expected Sarge to have this kinda season. He has flourished offensively under Julien, and most forwards don't expect that when they get moved to the Madden line. He remains one of the most irreplaceable players in hockey. He is a guy you want a championship team.

9. Travis Zajac (C)
THE STATS: 46 GP, 8 Goals, 15 Assists, 23 Points, +3, 15:33 Per Game.
THE FACTS: Having a much better rookie season than Zach Parise did, and look what he's flourished into. Zajac will be a great asset for the future, he's shown that he can play with the big boys and chip in offensively, as well as play some "D".

10. John Madden (C)
THE STATS: 48 GP, 6 Goals, 13 Assists, 19 Points, -5, 18:38 Per Game
THE FACTS: Madden always comes to work with a purpose, and he always performs his tasks with flying colors. Jagr, Crosby, Ovechkin and others have all left the swamp dazed and confused this year because of John Madden and Jay Pandolfo

11. Paul Martin (D)
THE STATS: 48 GP, 1 Goal, 15 Assists, 16 Points, -7, 25:40 Per Game
THE FACTS: When Colin White went down, Martin stepped up and finally played the game the Devils think he's capable of. Until then, however, he has been putrid, looking less-than-solid in back and rarely contributing offensively.

12. Jay Pandolfo (LW)
THE STATS: 48 GP, 6 Goals, 9 Assists, 15 Points, -4, 18:09 Per Game
THE FACTS: See John Madden FACTS, just substitue Jay's name and add SELKE TROPHY WINNER to it.

13. Brad Lukowich (D)
THE STATS: 41 GP, 2 Goals, 5 Assists, 7 Points, +4, 20:00 Per Game
THE FACTS: I'm not as high and praise-filled with Lukoil as everyone else is. I think , like most of the Devs "D", he didn't step up until Whitey went down, but hes been very good as of late.

14. Johnny Oduya (D)
THE STATS: 42 GP, 1 Goal, 4 Assists, 5 Points, -2, 19:41 Per Game
THE FACTS: An absolute revelation, on Brian Rafalski-proportions. He has been this team's best defenseman when he has been in the lineup, all-around.

15. Mike Rupp/Jim Dowd/Eric Rasmussen/Cam Janssen (4th Line)
THE FACTS: They play on the fourth line, they play sparringly, and bad things rarely happen when they're out there. 'Nuff said.

16. Colin White
THE STATS: 40 GP, 0 Goals, 4 Assists, 4 Points, -7, 22:45 Per Game
THE FACTS: Poor Whitey's looked clueless out there at times. Frankly, I think he was overpaid this Summer, and he's been out-of-position and flat out out-of-place in every game he's been in.

17. David Hale
THE STATS: 29 GP, 0 Goals, 1 Assist, 1 Point, +3, 10:07 Per Game
THE FACTS: Hale plays 10 minutes a game? I could've sworn it was more like 3. Anyway, Hale hasn't been totally useless when out there, and he's a plus player, so you can't say much more than "He warms the bench quite well".