No Goal: Yes but wrong ruling

With seconds to spare in their 1-0 shutout loss to the Devils, the Rangers thought they had scored to tie it with 3.3 seconds remaining. However, the officials immediately wiped out Artem Anisimov's would be goal due to goaltender interference on an attacking Marian Gaborik. Not shockingly, this led to a vehement protest from John Tortorella, who refused comment afterwards, not wanting to get another fine.

Truth be told, it was definitely the right call to disallow Anisimov's goal off a Ryan Callahan rebound. However, the ruling itself was incorrect. There are many instances where the refs have split second decisions to make due to the speed of the game. Especially when a desperate team like the Rangers flies up the ice and thinks they tied it. It's a bang bang play not leaving the officials much time.

Was it goalie interference? Hardly. Gaborik was shoved in by Anton Volchenkov while attempting to stop. Replays showed snow as Gaborik put on the breaks. The problem was he was too close to Martin Brodeur and bumped into him. Once hit, the future Hall Of Famer did what he always does, embellishing it to make sure the stripes didn't miss it. Not that they didn't see it. It was clear as day that as Gaborik fell into him, Anisimov was putting away the rebound. So, there was no way it should've counted.

The correct interpretation is 'incidental contact.' A ruling we've seen more and more of due to the protection of goalies. As a matter of fact, the Sharks had a potential tying marker waived off last night due to Patrick Marleau unable to avoid Miikka Kiprusoff.  The proper call was made. Calgary would hold on for a 4-3 win, giving Kiprusoff career win No.300 against the team that drafted him.

Sometimes, the officials have a tough job to do. So, while they did err by sending Gaborik to the box, they still were justified in disallowing the goal. So, when former ref Kerry Fraser says the Rangers were screwed, only in terms of what they ruled. I didn't see it as controversial because you simply can't allow a goal to stand when the goalie has no play on it, which was the case with Brodeur. We've had ones like that go our way plenty this season with Henrik Lundqvist, who never embellishes when he is run. However, it's up to the refs to make the call. That's what they're there for.

Besides, from the sounds of it, the Rangers didn't deserve to win. They were outhustled and hardly tested Brodeur despite the lopsided third period shot total (15-1). The continued struggles on the power play persist. When they don't sustain a consistent forecheck, they're very beatable. So, the Devils earned the two points- making David Clarkson's first period power play goal stand up. Now, it's onto tonight with Tampa visiting before a tough weekend with the Flyers and Caps back-to-back. Yet another challenge with the Bruins on deck next Tuesday.

With Boston in a slump, the Rangers still find themselves as the East's top seed, three up on the B's but with the Flyers, Pens and Devils all gaining. They have responded to adversity well all year. We'll see if they can again starting tonight.

Lundqvist stands tall in win over Devils

Ruslan Fedotenko battles Tim Sestito on the opening faceoff during last night's Ranger 4-1 win over Hudson rival New Jersey.

They're separated by the Hudson River. Just a Path ride away, the Rangers and Devils renewed allegiances during the first Battle Of Hudson three months in the making. It was the Manhattan side that came out victorious over the Turnpike with headliner Henrik Lundqvist backstopping his team to a 4-1 win at a packed Prudential Center last night. 

In front of a makeshift defense that included emergency recall Tim Erixon, Lundqvist stood tall finishing with a game high 30 saves en route to his 23rd career victory over his favorite opponent. The Rangers needed every single one to get out of Newark with its second consecutive win in direct response to a two-game skid. That's been the story all year for John Tortorella's resilient club who never makes excuses. Even with the blueline battered minus Marc Staal, Mike Sauer and Steve Eminger, they fought back to steal two points thanks to Lundqvist. The scoreboard may have said otherwise but anyone who saw it knows the Devils controlled much of the action only to be denied by King Henrik.

“I enjoy playing against this team,” Lundqvist pointed out after diminishing his career GAA to 1.85 versus the Devils. “It’s always a great challenge to play them. There’s a lot of action. We all knew that this was going to be a tough one.”

Martin Brodeur brings out the best in Lundqvist, who was outstanding in keeping his team afloat despite a strong attack from New Jersey led by the ever dangerous top line of Adam Henrique, Zach Parise and Ilya Kovalchuk. Minus top scorer Patrik Elias (flu), the Devs entered having won four straight and seemed on their way to five when Travis Zajac got to the only bad rebound Lundqvist allowed to put the hosts in front 1-0 15:51 into the first period. In his third game, Zajac won a draw back to Petr Sykora, whose low shot leaked out. A mad scramble ensued with Ryan McDonagh unable to clear it before Zajac deposited his first. Dainius Zubrus helped set it up by crashing the net.

It easily could've been two or three without Lundqvist, who watched his teammates struggle to mount anything the first half. Part of it had to do with how the game began with pushing and shoving between fourth lines. When Cam Janssen asked former teammate Mike Rupp to go, he obliged the smaller foe who showed a lot of guts taking some hard lefts early before coming on late. Only his second game back, Rupp looked weary at the end and asked refs Tim Peel and Justin St.Pierre to step in. Somewhat astonishingly, the officiating was good. Other than Ryan Callahan and instigator Eric Boulton getting misconducts in a heated first, they did a good job letting the teams play.

The rough stuff wasn't done when Brandon Dubinsky and David Clarkson stopped talking and dropped 'em. Dubinsky managed a good left that buckled Clarkson, who fell which was enough for Dubi to stop. Clarkson was involved later when a hit on Erixon prompted a strong reaction from partner Stu Bickel. Bickel acquitted himself well in front of family, who while being interviewed by John Giannone saw Zajac score. I hate when that happens cause it takes away from the game.

The Devils certainly had their chances in a more even second that saw at least four goal posts struck. Derek Stepan had Brodeur beat from 45 feet out when his shot deflected off a Devil and drew iron. Brodeur really didn't see much rubber due to his quicker team having the puck. The Rangers did plenty of chasing, especially when the Parise line was buzzing. Lundqvist robbed Henrique twice, including a nice kick out off a nifty Parise set up. The defense was on its heels. Kovalchuk certainly looked good on the right side, meshing with his cohesive unit. He got off a strong shot that Lundqvist made a head save on. The man can certainly shoot it.

If there was an area which decided it, it was special teams with the Devils unable to cash in on three power plays. Part of it was due to the Ranger penalty kill, which did a solid job getting in the path of shots and making key clears. The Devs still had decent looks but just couldn't get the second on Lundqvist. They also missed the net quite a bit in the second with Clarkson blowing some huge opportunities where he was set up alone but fired high and wide. For a guy having a bounce back season (11 goals vs 12 all last year), he disappointed the home side.

“We kept on scrapping and fought through it,” Tortorella said. “We started to take over in the second period and then kept on coming in the third. Hank made some key saves at key times and we just tried to stay with it. Eventually, we found a way to score some goals.”

Given a chance to get back in it, the Rangers responded with some strong work from elevated Carl Hagelin, who was bumped up by Tortorella with Brad Richards and Ryan Callahan. Hagelin helped generate chances, including a close call when a Richards shot pass was deflected by Callahan off the right post. Finally moving their legs, the Blueshirts turned the tide thanks to a brilliant rush by Derek Stepan. The second-year forward took a Marian Gaborik feed that saw our top finisher drilled, and then skated around a Devil before firing the puck into the slot off Kurt Foster for Artem Anisimov, who buried his seventh to knot it with 2:32 left in the second.

Suddenly with momentum, they nearly went ahead when Anisimov set up Stepan, who was denied by Brodeur on the short side. With it even, it was anyone's game. The first few shifts of the final stanza showed that as each side came close. A couple of more key stops from Lundqvist paid dividends when an unusual play allowed them to go ahead. Stepan started it by backing up the Devil D and then got the puck to Anisimov who methodically skated around to the right before flipping a tricky backhand that trickled off Brodeur right to Gaborik, who deposited his team best 18th at 4:45.

“That’s how we score,” Gaborik explained after also netting an empty netter in the closing seconds on a special night that saw the Slovak record his 600th career point. “We get a lot of rebound, second-chance goals. I just try to stay in front and be there to lay it in.”

The Devils didn't give up, coming back with a couple of strong shifts that eventually landed them a third man-advantage when McDonagh closed his hand on a puck. For whatever reason, they rank dead last at home despite oodles of talent. Even without Elias, the addition of Foster has added another shooter to a top heavy unit which features Kovalchuk, Parise, Henrique and Clarkson. Pete DeBoer can also roll out reemerging Petr Sykora, Zubrus and Zajac on the second one with improving rookie Adam Larsson, who played well defensively. During the PP, Lundqvist made back-to-back stops, including one he deemed 'lucky' on Henrique, whose shot went through the wickets but wide. Perhaps luck was on the Rangers' side with Gabby's odd goal earlier and Step's pass off Foster to Anisimov.

The PK bent but never broke with two big clears, including a yeoman effort from Dubinsky, who played his best game of the season. However, it was a strong clear by Bickel that led to the Coup de grace. Unable to corral the puck at the left point, Kovalchuk fell leading to a two-on-one. The league's most potent shorthanded team is also the worst at permitting shorthanded goals. Here came Hagelin flying down the wing with Brian Boyle as the decoy. The brilliant Swede whipped a shot past Brodeur's glove for his second shorty before an odd celebration saw him fall down and laugh. It's amazing how poised he is. But remember, he spent four years at Michigan and isn't afraid.  

“We had a lot of opportunities, but their guy didn’t allow us to get the second goal,” DeBoer said. “If we got the second goal, we could have taken charge of the game. I thought it was one of our better games, maybe our best 60-minute effort this year.

“We didn’t come out on the right end, but I liked the way we played. Tip the cap to their guy. We have to find a way to solve him because we play them five more times.”


BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Marian Gaborik, NYR (2 goals-19 incl. GW for 600th NHL point, assist, +3)
2nd Star-Stepan/Anisimov, NYR (5 Pts: 1-4-5, 7 SOG, +5)
1st Star-Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (30 saves for 23rd career win vs NJD)


Notes: Henrik Tallinder sat out for the third consecutive game due to back spasms. ... Elias still is up in the air for Friday versus Washington. ... Larsson will fly home to Sweden for his grandmother's funeral. He'll miss the Devs next two games including next Monday at Carolina. The top line of Parise-Henrique-Kovalchuk combined for a dozen of the club's 31 shots. Each were held off the score sheet due to Lundqvist and the D tandem of Dan Girardi and McDonagh. ... Sean Avery sat out a fourth straight game. ... Brodeur turned aside 17 of 20 in his second consecutive start, falling below .500 (8-9-0). ... Rangers host Islanders tomorrow and Flyers Friday.

Frustration boils over for Hudson rival

While Alex Frolov celebrates Brandon Dubinsky's goal, the looks on Travis Zajac and Johan Hedberg sum up Devil frustration in loss to Rangers last night.

When it comes to winning, there are no style points. Somebody might want to clue the Devils in following their latest disappointment- a 3-0 shutout defeat at the hands of their bitter Hudson rival, the Rangers last night at The Rock. The loss dropped New Jersey to 4-10-1 overall. They've yet to win at home falling to 0-5-1. The next opportunity comes four days from now against equally struggling Battle brother Buffalo, who also have yet to win on home ice.

Yes, the Devils competed for the most part unless you watched mega million star Ilya Kovalchuk basically watch as Brandon Dubinsky followed up a Todd White weird carom for the backbreaking shorthanded tally that finished the Newark hosts. The player Lou Lamoriello's building around also took a mindless penalty 15 seconds into the third. On a night his team desperately needed him to show, the former Thrasher played like he still was in Atlanta, partially responsible for all three goals against while finishing minus-two with four shots. The problem was none of the offerings fooled Henrik Lundqvist, who recorded his second shutout in three games, improving to 20-7-5 versus his favorite target.

“I thought we were the better team, dominating the play for most of the game, and then we don’t give ourselves a chance to get back in the third period,” an exasperated Patrik Elias said essentially throwing Kovalchuk under the bus. “We lost the game right there.”

“We played hard. We competed hard. We’re just not generating enough offense," first-year coach John MacLean echoed despite his team holding a 33-20 edge in shots. 

Remarkably, they trailed by two despite outshooting the Blueshirts 23-12 through 40 minutes. Something Devil buddy Rob "Kraze" Davis texted while I was watching Procal Harum. When you're going bad, this is what happens. One of the Ranger four first period shots went in with Dubinsky finishing off his ninth. The Devils took 11 but none found twine against Lundqvist, who was a vacuum a day removed from a forgettable showing in a 4-1 loss in Philly.

“After last night, it was important for me and for all of us to get a good solid game,” he said. “I don’t think we played all that bad, but I felt that I had to play a lot better.”

That's what you expect from your leaders. In this early season, the Rangers have gotten it from Dubinsky, Lundqvist, revelation Brian Boyle, Dan Girardi, Michal Rozsival, Sean Avery and Ryan Callahan, who missed last night with a sore neck due to a cheap Kimmo Timonen hit from behind. With injuries to Marian Gaborik, Chris Drury and Vinny Prospal, they've stepped up. By contrast, their archrivals haven't gotten any yet despite enough talent to push on without Zach Parise and an injury list that's growing as long as Pinocchio's. The Devils are still searching for an identity. While the 5-3 win over the Blackhawks temporarily cured their offensive fallacies, they simply couldn't carry it over against a better goalie. Part of the issue which Davis alluded to was the lack of bodies in front of Lundqvist. You have to be willing to pay the price.

"Lundqvist played a great game and we didn’t have any traffic in front of him,” Kovalchuk pointed out after remaining stuck on three goals. “All the shots were from outside, and you know we are not going to score like that.”

“We’re disappointed after a loss every time,” added Elias. “You cannot go into a hockey game down all the time. You have to clear your minds and go into a game with a clear head.”

It's never easy when you lose players. The Devils severely missed Anton Volchenkov, who finally returned Friday from a broken nose. The former Senator shot blocking specialist missed a dozen games. He's easily the Devs' toughest and should only bolster a blueline, which was without Colin White (flu). Young Swede Alexander Urbom was recalled from Albany. It's really tough to compete when half your back end consists of rookies. Matt Taormina has been a nice find and Olivier Magnan hasn't struggled as much as former Sabre Henrik Tallinder, who fans probably want to send over Niagara Falls. Maybe Volchenkov can boost Tallinder and Andy Greene, who's a team worst minus-12 following a breakout '09-10. Bryce Salvador won't return anytime soon. Neither will Anssi Salmela. That leaves Mark Fraser, who despite limited skills always is willing to go.

It'd be easier if Kovalchuk was finishing and Travis Zajac remembered who he was. Instead, they've combined for five goals and only 14 points with no power play goals. Jason Arnott, who's been benched at times- paces them with four markers. Elias remains in a funk stuck on two goals. Dainius Zubrus gives max effort every night but simply doesn't possess the hands. The captain everyone wants to get rid of, Jamie Langenbrunner actually is tied with Kovalchuk for the club lead with eight points. The stat lines are as ugly as it gets. Halloween already passed but you wouldn't know it in Jersey. Perhaps Jimmy Hoffa's ghost is at work.

Then there's David Clarkson, who continues to let Sean Avery get the best of him. For the most part, he tries. But as soon as he sees No.16, the Devil antagonist becomes possessed. He lost his head again taking a five-minute penalty for boarding Boyle, which erased any chance of a miraculous comeback. But hey. The way the Devils were firing blanks, it probably wouldn't have mattered anyway. You expect better from a player who seemed on the upswing not long ago. Twenty goals and 40 points seemed possible. Now, he finds himself stuck on one goal and one assist with a minus-nine and 34 penalty minutes. What happened? The same thing that's gone so wrong for the Devils thus far. The sum not equaling the parts. Langenbrunner on their ineptitude:

"It's getting frustrating. We all can read the standings and see where we are and the games we've played and the games in hand teams have on us and where we could be when it's all sorted out. But we can't concern ourselves with that so much. We need to find a way to get some wins ourselves, keep the effort where it's been, but learn to play a little bit smarter."

When Martin Brodeur doesn't suit up for the Rangers, something's wrong. Perhaps he just decided that extra rest would be wiser than rushing back from a bruised elbow that forced Johan Hedberg into action the other day. For his part, Hedberg wasn't bad despite only making 17 saves with a few sparklers which at least kept his team afloat. Chalk up the third goal to bad luck. You don't expect a deflected shot to take a funny carom back to Dubinsky, who was only too happy to tie Steven Stamkos and Patrick Sharp for the league lead in goals (10).

Sometimes, it's just not your night. Now, it's almost a month with the quarter mark approaching. Are the Devils really this bad? Well, to borrow a phrase Hasan used from Bill Parcells, "You are what your record says you are." They have nine points in 15 games, digging themselves an early hole along with Buffalo (8 in 14 entering tonight vs Toronto). Ironically, both trail first place by similar margins. The Devils are eight out while the Sabres trail by nine. There's plenty of season left to make up ground. It has to start soon.

Avery and Kovalchuk renew rivalry

For Ranger bad boy Sean Avery, his No.1 rival used to be Martin Brodeur. However, the future Devil Hall of Famer has been replaced by Russian teammate Ilya Kovalchuk. Ever since the electrifying former Thrasher's donned Devils black and red, Avery's been all over him when the bitter Hudson rivals have played.

It's almost as if the Ranger pest has a new boyfriend and we use that team loosely. :P This rivalry began during the Ranger first round sweep of Kovalchuk's Thrashers a few Springs ago. In a big spot with his team trailing in the series, Ilya lost it going after Avery and taking costly penalties. Perhaps all they needed was the Devils bringing the superstar to Newark. At least that's all it's taken for Avery to get better acquainted with his new nemesis.

There they were again front and center with the Devil investment taking the bait during a scrum, chasing Avery around while David Clarkson did his bidding. Speaking of Clarkson who's still letting Avery get to him, he's no angel either. Not with his coming from behind and jawing that somehow drew zilch along with the predictable 14 minutes for Gary Bettman's favorite E-Z target. Of course, Sean wouldn't go with the Devil antagonist, further angering his favorite audience at The Rock. At one point, he had Kovalchuk so upset that they exchanged barbs between benches with one of the game's best finishers pointing repeatedly at Public Enemy No.1.

If Avery was mixing it up, it means he was doing his job. An ugly description that includes playing on the edge, bantering and driving opponents batty. He was at his best Saturday pushing the envelope while also being in on two goals, right in front of Johan Hedberg. The question becomes will his chaos eventually wear thin in the room? Other forwards also impressed including former John Tortorella '04 Lightning hero Ruslan Fedotenko, who scored a power play goal and added two assists. Ex-Sabre Tim Kennedy had a strong game, distracting the Devils in front while Ryan Callahan fed Mike Del Zotto for the winner. If Brian Boyle continues to impress along with rookie pivot Derek Stepan, the competition should heat up.

There's also diminutive and skilled Mats Zuccarello-Aasen who looked good in his first taste of NHL action Thursday. He used his speed well and also took the puck to the net and made things happen. The question is what kind of team does Tortorella want? They obviously need to score more goals but also want to make life difficult on foes. If motivated, Avery certainly fits the second criteria. As long as he has his new Russian crutch, that shouldn't be an issue.

What about the other 76 games? That remains to be seen.

Devils and Bruins thru 1

The Devils are back at home taking on current Eastern 8th seed Boston, who are nursing a one-point lead over the idle Rangers. They return to action tomorrow night with faceoff at 7:30, hosting seventh seeded Montreal. While that promises to be a big game, the Blueshirts also get the Blues Thursday and those struggling Bruins later this week.

Perhaps the B's should just forfeit the remaining 40 minutes. They're already down 3-zip. David Clarkson's tallied twice and Zach Parise just finished off a Mike Mottau point shot off a faceoff. Not surprisingly, all three have come at even strength as the Devil power play continues to operate as well as PSE & G. How good was the opening 20 for the Newark hosts? Martin Brodeur got the lone assist on Clarkson's eighth. Apparently, the other goal is now credited to Rob Niedermayer, who must've gotten a piece of David's shot. Martin Skoula picked up his first point on the opening tally. Clarkson and Parise struck 45 seconds apart late in the stanza which they controlled despite a 12-11 shot margin.

A great response by Jacques Lemaire's club following a stinker on the Island. If they win, it would be the fourth straight win on home ice and move them within two of first Pittsburgh with the final game of the season series Wednesday. Also of note, Parise's goal was his club-leading 32nd. Improving fourth center Rod Pelley also fought Mark Stuart, defending captain Jamie Langenbrunner who earlier went after Dennis Seidenberg for a questionable hit on Zach Attack.Noteworthy because these Devils stick up for each other. Something that bodes well moving forward.

As for Claude Julien's club, they came in losers of 3 of 4 (1-2-1). They've been unpredictable all season. Minus Marc Savard, goals are going to be tough to come by. In other words, a brutal period that they can't afford now. Will they be able to bounce back?

Devils embarrass Hudson rival

Devil domination. One team showed for tonight's latest installment of the Battle Of Hudson. Even if it wasn't exactly an A performance from Jacques Lemaire's guys, it was plenty good enough to embarrass the Rangers 6-3 at an energized Prudential Center.

Both clubs entered reeling but only one answered the bell. That would be the better team who's headed to another postseason, improving to 81 points that still trail the Penguins by five for tops in the Atlantic.Even without winning regularly the past month-plus, New Jersey's 14 points clear of the passionless opponent they beat down- responding to a team meeting following the Calgary/Edmonton debacles. Oddly enough, it was the Devils' first home game since 2/12 stretching the Olympic Break. Back home off a disappointing 1-2 road trip, they had to be better. Apparently, John Tortorella never got that message across to his club.

Three times, the Newark hosts went ahead of what was supposed to be a desperate Ranger team trying to stay afloat in the playoff race. Playoffs?!?!?!?!?! Amazingly, the trademark Marty vs Henrik goalie match turned into a goal-fest. Especially for two of the lowest scoring Eastern teams who won't be confused with the Caps or Pens. Rob Niedermayer got it started, steering home a Brian Rolston rebound. Before you blinked, Vinny Prospal finished off a sweet Marian Gaborik dish tying it 57 ticks later. Late in the period, the Devils responded when Bryce Salvador's shot deflected off Olli Jokinen's skate past Henrik Lundqvist, giving them a 2-1 lead into the locker room.

The Blueshirts didn't go away with Erik Christensen converting his sixth 5:01 into the second making it a pair of two's. Following a near Devil miss, Brandon Dubinsky came the other way and then dished to Christensen, who abused Patrik Elias before whistling one high stick side on a flustered Martin Brodeur, who waved his arms at his D. Imagine Lundqvist doing that. Just once, we'd like to see it.

With the game hanging in the balance, a Zach Parise crosscheck 53 seconds later gave the guests a great opportunity to cease control of the match. Instead, they got nothing done. Shortly after, an undisciplined Wade Redden tug on Parise put the home club on the power play. Judging by the look on Redden's face, you'd thought he was innocent. But the $6.5 million Tinman was guilty and paid the price when the aforementioned Parise banged home his Devil best 31st from Dainius Zubrus and Travis Zajac. Once again, the Rangers came back quickly with Brandon Prust steered home a Jody Shelley rebound 37 seconds later. Ser---iou---sly. It's pretty sad when the grinders were our best players. But hey. The Devil trio of Brian Rolston, Niedermayer and David Clarkson dominated all night- combining for two goals, three assists and a plus-seven. That's what happens when your team should be sponsored by Hostess.

With the game knotted a third time, the Devils bounced back thanks to a great shift from captain Jamie Langenbrunner, who neatly deflected home Mike Mottau's shot pass for his 16th at 13:06. On the play, somehow the Ranger fourth line got caught out against the Devil second with both Langenbrunner and an otherwise invisible Ilya Kovalchuk controlling the puck. Eventually, it came to Andy Greene who moved it to an isolated Mottau. With nobody pressuring, he had enough time to find Langenbrunner for a nice redirection goal. Both Mike Del Zotto and Dan Girardi got victimized.

Rolston delivered the backbreaker just 2:13 later. In one of the worst periods they've played, Ryan Callahan made a huge error overpassing to no one. Instead of firing from the right circle on Brodeur which would've been the smart play, his turnover led directly to a 3-on-1 against. Clarkson worked the puck to Niedermayer, who then slipped it to Rolston, whose wrister deflected off Girardi's stick past Lundqvist.

A pumped up Rolston celebrated his 18th congratulated by pleased teammates while a dejected Lundqvist was given the hook for the first time in 29 career starts versus a team he usually owns. Not tonight. Even if the puck went off Girardi, he still should've had it. Granted. The bounces went against him. But that doesn't excuse it nor does it explain Tortorella's decision to put in Alex Auld, humiliating his fuming goalie while both Doc Emrick and Chico Resch were left baffled. In a game your team is supposed to be desperate for, wouldn't it be better to keep Henrik in? Can you imagine what his teammates thought?

With Lundqvist's night done after permitting five goals on 17 shots, Auld came in and did a decent job turning aside nine of 10 the rest of the way. Too little, too late. When the second ended, so did my desire to watch, opting for sushi. If you caught my brief rant in the prior post, you know why. Not much was missed with Zajac putting the finishing touches on a Devl statement with a new career high 21st goal that made it 6-3 with 3:39 left. Zubrus and Parise added helpers.

Afterwards, Tortorella cited his team's inconsistency all season. What about yours? The man is so full of it. All he is is hot air and the balloon's about to burst. The way his players don't play demonstrate that. The look on the franchise's most important player tells you everything. This was supposed to be a team that attacked yet in the first of what amounted to a crucial game, they held back. It's called the trap. He promised a better fourth line...All he ever does is ream players never taking any blame when they lose. As that dreadful character who Heath Ledger's Joker character ticked off, "E-N-O-U-G-H from the Clown!"


Aside from that, remember when Sean Avery labeled Clarkson a "career minor leaguer." Care to retract that statement? I didn't notice Avery the first 40 and doubt it was any different in garbage time. Garbage. A good word to accurately describe the Rangers, who left their own fans furious including a close buddy from our section who messaged me with:

"I actually wasted money for that."

The fat lady's warming up.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Mike Mottau, NJD (2 assists, +3 in 22:46)
2nd Star-Jamie Langenbrunner, NJD (16th of season-GW, assist, 4 SOG, +2 in 17:22)
1st Star-Rolston-Niedermayer-Clarkson, NJD (2-3-5, 7 SOG, 5 hits, 2 takeaways, +7 rating)

Clarkson returns for Devils tonight

The Devils are on a losing streak. Well, if you count one loss as such, which Jacques Lemaire probably does, then yes. Especially off a 4-1 disappointment post-Christmas to Ovechkin and the Caps. All kidding aside, the Devs are atop the Atlantic, trailing only Washington by one for most in the conference with the Blackhawks leading the way with 55. Two ahead of Jersey, San Jose and Pitt. In Good Company was a decent flick starring Dennis Quaid, Topher Grace and stunning Scarlett Johansson. That's the team that plays in Newark tonight versus Kovalchuk and Hotlanta at the top of the hour.

Good news for New Jersey as they get David Clarkson back tonight. He missed a month due to a fractured right leg. Before the third-year right wing went down, he was having a breakout season with seven goals and eight assists for 15 points in 23 games. That includes three power play goals, two deciders along with 39 penalty minutes from the gritty 25 year-old Toronto native. Clarkie is a solid player who adds a physical element to the Devils. The best part is he can play any role. Whether it's second line or checking, the Randy McKay clone who was a huge lacrosse star brings great energy. Now, he returns to a club that boasts an impressive 26-9-1 mark into the final regular season meeting the third meeting versus an unpredictable Thrasher team that's dropped seven of 11, including an ugly 5-4 home defeat to these Devs recently.

Atlanta can score goals as evidenced by Kovalchuk, Nik Antropov, Maxim Afinogenov and Rich Peverley along with dangerous rover Zach Bogosian. You can't get into a run n' gun with them. Something that the Devs kinda did falling behind 3-1 after one in which Hotlanta chased MB30. Figure Marty to be sharp coming off a subpar game in which he permitted an odd softie that deflected off Mike Mottau and his glove.

As for Clarkson, he replaces Russian rook Vladimir Zharkov (6 A in 13 GP) in the lineup with D Matt Corrente back down to Lowell. Lemaire had top freshman Nicklas Bergfors playing with Rob Niedermayer and Jay Pandolfo in an attempt to improve the young Swede's defensive game. Perhaps Clarkson starts with Patrik Elias and resurgent Brian Rolston. Especially if ZZ Popp is back together based on yesterday's practice. Whereever he plays, a good team just got better.

UPDATE: Looks like he'll start on fourth line with Lemaire opting to keep Dean McAmmond between Elias and Rolston.

ZZ Popp
Elias-McAmmond-Rolston
Pandolfo-Niedermayer-Bergfors
Peters-Pelley-Clarkson

Salvador-Greene
White-Oduya
Fraser-Mottau

Brodeur
Danis

Dear Sean...You Suck at Life

http://njmg.typepad.com/devilsblog/2007/11/all-about-avery.html

Tom Gulitti did a great job conveying the wisdom of Sean Avery tonight.

Some points made:

-Avery called Clarkson "a bonehead minor leaguer" after the game and called Brodeur, "Marty the diver", a reference to the goaltender's first period diving penalty. "I don't even know who this guy is, why am I talking to him," Avery said of Clarkson. "We're not friends. It's not an (expletive) secret. We're getting ready for a game and we go to war."

First of all, anyone who saw Clarkie's goal Friday night...has Avery ever scored a goal that nice? And why are you talking to him? I don't know ass-job...you started the conversation! Do you have soap opera level amnesia?

Moving on...

-When asked if Brodeur said anything back to him, Avery said, "I can't understand a word he says with his accent."

C'mon Sean, is that Jersey twang Marty speaks in English with baffling you? Watch some Sopranos DVDs and you'll figure it out.

So, what was David Clarkson's response?

-Clarkson played it diplomatic. "We both kind of play the same way, hit hard and get in other guy's face," he said. "That's how he is. He's going to try to get under my skin before the game and other guys, just like I do."

Aw Yeah, David's a soulja. He's smart enough to figure out that he's pretty much Sean, but with, you know, an offensive game?

Hey, guess who else Sean decided to take on...

-Before one first period faceoff, Avery lined up across from Zach Parise and yapped in his ear for what seemed like an eternity. "I asked him to fight a couple of times," Avery admitted. When an incredulous reporter questioned that he would challenge Parise, who has never had an NHL fight, Avery replied, "Is that his name?"

Yeah Sean, you saw the back of his jersey enough tonight...

Seriously, Sean...you joking about not knowing who Parise is...is that a thing? That's like when Brian and Stewie from Family Guy called Scrubs unfunny at the Emmys.

THE ZACH's response?

-Parise also said he ignored Avery. "He wanted to fight me," he said. "He told me to, 'make a statement.' I just ignored him. It's all about him. It's too bad because he can be a pretty good player."

Good boy Zach.

Aaah, it's good to hate the Rag$ again!.