Monthly Archives: November 2011
Game Preview – Game 23: Your New Jersey Devils @ Colorado Avalanche
New Jersey Devils (12-9-1, 25 points) @ Colorado Avalanche (10-13-1, 21 points)
9:30 PM EST
TV: MSG Plus
Radio: WFAN 660 AM
Matchup:
This will be the first of two matchups between the Avalanche and the Devils this season. They will play again on March 15, 2012 in New Jersey. Last year, in their one and only meeting of the season on October 15, 2010, the Avalanche won 3-2.
Did Parise Kick it In?:
The Devils seemed to have tied the game against the New York Islanders with two seconds left on Saturday, but the NHL War Room had a different opinion.
There is no question that Zach Parise directed the puck in off of his skate, but was it a distinct kicking motion? NHL Rule 49.2 states that if the puck is deflected in off the skate, it will count as a goal, but if the puck is propelled in by a distinct kicking motion, it will not be a legitimate goal. I was always under the impression that a distinct kicking motion was a pendulum, back to front, motion.
Evidently, Parise’s skate going to the right and making contact with the puck was enough for the NHL to declare it a distinct kicking motion, but listen to this:
In the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals, Jay Pandolfo performed almost the same exact move as Parise. Originally the goal was waived off, unlike Parise’s which was called a goal. After going to Toronto to review the goal, the NHL said it was a goal because there was no DISTINCT kicking motion.
Clearly, most Devils fans believe it should’ve been a goal, but to quote head coach Peter DeBoer, “You live with it, and you move on.”
Against the Avalanche:
All-time the Devils are 30-26-9-0 when playing the Avalanche/Nordiques and 12-16-4-0 when playing in Colorado/Quebec.
Patrik Elias is the all-time leading scorer for the Devils against the Avalanche with 13 points (6 goals, 7 assists) in 17 games played.
Zach Parise, has played in 5 career games against the Avalanche and has 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists) in those games.
Martin Brodeur is 16-7-6 in his career against the Avalanche with a 2.22 GAA.
Projected Devils Lineup:
Parise – Henrique – Kovalchuk
Sykora - Elias - Zubrus
Tedenby - Carter – Clarkson
Boulton – Sestito – Janssen
Tallinder - Fayne
Salvador – Larson
Volchenkov – Fraser
Brodeur
Hedberg
——————–
Avalanche Having Hard Time Winning at Home:
Currently the Avalanche find themselves in midst of a eight-game homestand. So far on this homestand, the Avalanche find themselves with only two wins, with three games left. Also, in their last three losses, the Avalanche scored only two goals.
On the bright side, the Avalanche’s number one goalie, Semyon Varlamov is starting to come around. The former Capitals goaltender struggled in the beginning of the season with his new squad, but Varlamov has only allowed a pair of goals in each of his past three starts.
Projected Avalanche Lineup:
Duchene – Stastny – Hejduk
Landeskog – O’Reilly – Winnik
McLeod – Galiardi – Jones
Porter – McClement – Kobasew
Quincey – O’Brien
Hejda – Wilson
Hunwick – O’Byrne
Varlamov
Giguere
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Player of the Week – 11/21-11/28
The Devils finished a busy four game stint, winning two and losing two. New Jersey had some great hockey this week, including a shoot out win over Columbus. It was tough to pick who to put in the poll this week, but we narrowed it down to the three we thought deserved it most. Think someone else did better? Click OTHER and let us know who!
Game Preview – Game 21: Your New Jersey Devils vs New York Islanders
New Jersey Devils (11-8-1, 23 points) vs New York Islanders (5-10-4, 14 points)
3:00 PM EST
TV: MSG Plus 2
Radio: WFAN 660 AM
Matchup:
Today’s black Friday matchup will see the Devils and Islanders meet for the first of six meetings this season, as well as the first game of a home-and-home series. The Devils won the season series last year, 4-2-0. Two of those four wins came in overtime.
Devils vs Blue Jackets Recap:
On Wednesday, the Devils hosted the Columbus Blue Jackets at Prudential Center and were able to secure their seventh win in 10 games.
Dainius Zubrus scored the only Devils goal in regulation, and Ilya Kovalchuk & Zach Parise scored in the shootout to give the Devils their 11th win of the season. Last year, the Devils didn’t get win number 11 until game 42 of the season.
Martin Brodeur also kept the Devils in the game by making 35 saves on the night.
The Devils, now 11-8-1 on the season, are now tied for third place in the Atlantic Division with cross-Hudson rivals, the New York Rangers.
Palmieri sent to Albany (AHL):
Yesterday was not a Happy Thanksgiving for Nick Palmieri who was informed that he was being sent to the Albany Devils of the AHL.
Palmieri’s play this season has not been up to par with his play last season. Last season, Palmieri had nine goals, eight assists and a plus-9 in 43 games.
So far this season, Palmieri only has three goals, three assists and is a minus-5 in 19 games played.
Palmieri didn’t play Monday against the Panthers and played just over eight minutes on the fourth line in the Devils win over Columbus Wednesday.
Palmieri’s demotion comes when Eric Boulton is also in Albany on a conditioning stint. It also means that Mattias Tedenby can expect some more ice-time as he still looks for his first goal of the season.
Against the Islanders:
All-time the Devils are 74-80-20-1 when playing the Islanders and 29-47-12-0 when playing at the Nassau Coliseum.
Patrik Elias is the all-time leading scorer for the Devils against the Islanders with 74 points (30 goals, 44 assists) in 71 games played.
Zach Parise has 33 points (17 goals, 16 assists) in 36 career games against the Islanders.
Johan Hedberg is 6-6-2 in his career against the Islanders with a 3.02 GAA
Projected Devils Lineup:
Parise – Henrique – Kovalchuk
Sykora - Elias - Zubrus
Tedenby - Carter – Clarkson
Pelley - Sestito – Janssen
Greene – Larsson
Tallinder - Fayne
Volchenkov – Salvador
Hedberg
Brodeur
——————–
Islanders’ Bad Luck Continues:
The New York Islanders found themselves down 1-0 early to the Philadelphia Flyers Wednesday night, but were able to score three unanswered goals to take a 3-1 lead.
However, a subpar performance from goaltender Rick DiPietro saw the Flyers tie the game and win it in overtime.
The Islanders find themselves on a three game losing streak, and have dropped the last 13 of 16.
Random Islanders Stats:
The Islanders have given up a goal on their opponent’s first shot of the game in each of their last two games and a total of five times this season. They are 0-3-2 when this happens this season.
The Islanders are 4-1-2 when scoring first and 1-9-2 when allowing the game’s first goal.
To coincide with the Devils’ third period problems, the Isles have been outscored 15-1 in the final frame over their last seven games, including three empty net goals. So far this season, the Islanders have been outscored 26-8 in the third period.
Projected Islanders Lineup:
Moulson – Tavares – Parenteau
Grabner – Nielsen – Okposo
Martin – Bailey – Niederreiter
Haley – Reasoner – Ullstrom
Streit – Staios
Macdonald – Hamonic
Mottau – Jurcina
Montoya
DiPietro
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Travis Zajac Cleared by Doctors: Will Return Soon
Travis Zajac skated on his own last week after being cleared by doctors and appears to be making progress with his surgically repaired achilles tendon. Though Zajac said skating was easier than walking earlier this year, getting back on the ice a big step toward seeing the top-line center on the ice for the first time.
Lou Lamoriello seemed pleased with Zajac’s progress according to NHL.com.
“Travis has been released by the doctors and is in town and skated [Tuesday and Wednesday] and will continue to do that for the next week and a half to two weeks,” Lamoriello said. “If everything is on schedule as it has been, he’ll start practicing with the team in two weeks. Everything to this point has been exactly the way the doctors predicted it would be, and it feels good…”
If everything going “exactly how doctors predicted it would be” isn’t “status quo”, I don’t know what is. If he practices in two weeks and conditions for a few more, he’s on track for a return in 2011.
The Devils need their top center as soon as possible. Aside from the chemistry developed with Zach Parise over the last few years, Zajac gives the Devils depth up the middle. With Jacob Josefson out with a broken collar bone, the Devils have been experimenting with Parise and Patrik Elias playing center. Zajac will give the Devils offense stability.
Patrik Elias leads the team with a point-per-game pace, 8 goals and 11 assists. The next closest Devils have 11 each. In two complete seasons from 2008 to 2010 Travis Zajac scored 129 points for platoff Devils teams.
Zajac broke Ken Daneyko’s team record for consecutive game’s played before missing the start of this season but otherwise, last year was certainly a bit of a down season. The New Jersey iron-man was without Zach Parise. In a new system, with a new coach and more wins, Zajac should see more success when he returns.
Player of the Week Winner: David Clarkson
Congratulations to David Clarkson as he won this week’s Player of the Week voted on by the fans. David Clarkson scored in three consecutive games on the road. His first of those three games came as a power play goal in the second period against Boston. Clarkson scored in the third period against Buffalo and again on a PPG against Tampa Bay to help secure the Devils second win on that five game road trip. Clarkson also posted an assist on Elias PPG against the Lightning.
Clarkson deserves the player of the week as those three goals have put him second on the team in goal scoring. He is now tied with Zubrus with seven goals.
Don’t forget to check in on Monday to vote for Player of the Week 11/21-11/27.
Game Preview – Game 20: Columbus Blue Jackets @ Your New Jersey Devils!
New Jersey Devils (10-8-1, 21 points) vs Columbus Blue Jackets (5-13-2, 12 points)
7:00 PM EST
TV: MSG Plus 2
Radio: WFAN 660 AM
Matchup:
Tonight will be the first and only time this season that the New Jersey Devils and the Columbus Blue Jackets will meet. Last season, they met on March 20 in Columbus in which the Devils won 3-0 to secure Martin Brodeur’s 115th career shutout.
Devils vs Blue Jackets Recap:
The Devils were able to score three goals in under four minutes to give themselves a 3-0 lead going into the first intermission. The team look great. But, a 3-0 lead is always said to be the worst lead in hockey.
It proved to be true, as the Panthers scored two goals in each the second and third period. Tomas Fleischmann‘s goal with 2:03 left in the third period proved to be the difference.
The Devils wrapped up their five game road trip with a 3-2 record.
Devils Injury Updates:
Anton Volchenkov (facial laceration) missed most of Monday’s game against Florida, but will play tonight.
Eric Boulton (non-displaced fracture in right hand) has been assigned to Albany (AHL) for conditioning purposes.
Tim Sestito has been recalled from Albany (AHL).
Travis Zajac (torn Achilles tendon) has been cleared by doctors, and is expected to practice with the team in two weeks.
Jacob Josefson (broken clavicle) is still recovering and isn’t expected back until March.
Against the Blue Jackets:
All-time the Devils are 7-2-2-0 when playing the Blue Jackets and 3-0-1-0 when playing in New Jersey.
Patrik Elias is the all-time leading scorer for the Devils against the Blue Jacketswith 8 points (3 goals, 5 assists) in 10 games played.
Ilya Kovalchuk, however, has the most career points against the Blue Jackets with 11 points (3 goals, 8 assists) in nine games played. Kovalchuk is also two points away from notching his 100th career point as a New Jersey Devil.
Martin Brodeur is 6-2-2-0 in his career against the Blue Jackets with a 2.17 GAA.
Projected Devils Lineup:
Parise – Henrique – Kovalchuk
Sykora - Elias - Zubrus
Palmieri - Carter – Clarkson
Tedenby - Sestito – Janssen
Greene – Larsson
Tallinder - Fayne
Volchenkov – Salvador
Brodeur
Hedberg
——————–
Columbus Coming off Back-to-Back Wins:
The Columbus Blue Jackets find themselves last in the NHL standings with a 5-13-2 record. However, they have momentum they need coming into tonight’s game.
The Jackets beat the Flames Monday night, 4-1, and now have back-t0-back wins for the first time in 42 games, stretching back to February 2010. Luckily for them, this stretch wasn’t close to the NHL record for games played without back-to-back victories, which is 173 set by the Washington Capitals from the 1974-75 season to the 1976-77 season.
The team hopes these wins, will jump-start the team’s offense and defense, and get them out of the slump they are currently in.
Blue Jackets and Devils Stats and Tidbits:
While David Vyborny has the most career points, all-time, as a Blue Jackets against New Jersey, seven points (3 goals, 4 assists), Vinny Prospal has the most career points among active Blue Jackets with 34 points (12 goals, 22 assists) in 50 games played.
The last trade between these two clubs happened back in 2003 when the Devils acquired Grant Marshall for a 2004 Conditional Draft Pick.
Curtis Sanford is expected to start between the pipes tonight for the Blue Jackets. He has a career record of 0-1-0 against the Devils with a 3.57 GAA.
Projected Blue Jackets Lineup:
Nash – Carter – Umberger
Prospal – Letestu – Johansen
Vermette – Pahlsson – Dorsett
Calvert – MacKenzie – Boll
Tyutin – Nikitin
Methot – Wisniewski
Moore – Clitsome
Sanford
Mason
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Best to Wear – #18
After Patrik Sundstrom‘s come from behind victory last week in “Best to Wear – #17,” this week we’ll look at #18.
Lots of great choices on this list including, a former Stanley Cup Champion, the guy who decides punishments now in the NHL, and a young player who was tragically taken from us way too soon.
You will have until November 24, 2011 at 11:59 PM EST to cast your vote.
Game Preview – Game 19: Your New Jersey Devils @ Florida Ice Cats
New Jersey Devils (10-7-1, 21 points) @ Florida Panthers (10-6-3, 23 points)
7:30 PM EST
TV: MSG Plus
Radio: WFAN 660 AM
Matchup:
The Devils will get their first look at the Florida Panthers this season. They will play the current Southeast Division leader four times this season. Last year, the Devils and Panthers split the season series 2-2, but the Devils outscored the Panthers 12-10.
Devils Roll Past Lightning:
The Devils and Lightning met up on Saturday Night as the Devils came off a split back-to-back series against the Bruins and Sabres. The Devils hoped to ride the momentum they gained as they scored five goals on the Sabres last Wednesday.
After the first period remained scoreless, the Devils went into the third period leading 3-0 with goals from Dainius Zubrus, Patrik Elias, and David Clarkson.
The Devils defense held the Lightning to only 13 shots between the first two periods of play, but the Lightning came out firing in the third period. Brodeur kept the Lightning scoreless for 51 minutes until Martin St. Louis and Ryan Shannon would score within a minute and a half of each other to pull the Lightning within one.
Ryan Carter would score a goal with 2:03 left in the third, to seal the Devils victory.
Leaders for the Devils:
Points
Elias – 18 points
Parise – 11 points
Henrique – 11 points
Goals
Elias – 8 goals
Clarkson – 7 goals
Parise – 6 goals.
+/-
Elias +2
Fayne +2
Greene +2
Wins
Hedberg – 6 wins
Brodeur – 4 wins
GAA
Hedberg – 2.45
Brodeur – 2.88
Save %
Hedberg – .914
Brodeur – .888
Against the Panthers:
All-time the Devils are 43-21-9-0 when playing the Panthers and 20-12-5-0 when playing in Florida.
Patrik Elias is the all-time leading scorer for the Devils against the Panthers with 40 points (20 goals, 20 assists) in 47 games played.
Ilya Kovalchuk, however, has the most career points against the Panthers with 63 points (32 goals, 31 assists) in 53 games played.
Martin Brodeur is 36-14-8 in his career against the Panthers with a 2.00 GAA.
Projected Devils Lineup:
Parise – Henrique – Kovalchuk
Sykora - Elias - Zubrus
Tedenby - Carter – Clarkson
Pelley - Mills - Janssen
Greene – Larsson
Tallinder - Fayne
Volchenkov – Salvador
Brodeur
Hedberg
——————–
Panthers Hot Start Has Them Looking at Playoffs:
With the acquisitions the Panthers made this offseason, fans didn’t know what to think. They had lost star goaltender Tomas Vokoun to the Capitals, and signed Jose Theodore to replace him between the pipes. The Panthers also had Kris Versteeg, Scottie Upshall, Brian Campbell and Tomas Fleischmann all join the squad.
Currently Versteeg, Campbell, and Fleischmann are all averaging close to a point a game and somehow the Panthers find themselves in first place in the Southeast division with the competitive Capitals and Lightning looking up.
The last time the Panthers made the playoffs, Pavel Bure led the team in points and Bill Clinton was the President of the United States.
Panthers Career Stats Against Devils:
Stephen Weiss leads active Panthers in career points against the Devils with 16 points (5 goals, 11 assists) in 28 games.
All-time leaders for the Panthers include Scott Mellanby and former Devil, Rob Niedermayer, both have 20 points against the Devils as Panthers.
Jose Theodore is 7-14-2 in his career against the Devils with a 2.67 GAA.
Projected Panthers Lineup:
Fleischmann – Weiss – Versteeg
Sturm – Goc – Kopecky
Dadanov – Santorelli – Bergenheim
Kennedy – Matthias – Skille
Campbell – Garrison
Ellerby – Jovanovski
Weaver – Kulikov
Theodore
Markstrom
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Player of the Week: 11/14-11/20
This past week was a busy one for the Devils. Playing back-to-back games against two top Eastern Conference opponents in the Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres, and then rounding it out with a Saturday night match-up against the Tampa Bay Lightning, it was a good test for Jersey’s team. And they didn’t disappoint winning 2 of those 3 games!
This week’s “Player of the Week” is a tough one as there were contributions from multiple players, making for some great hockey…but we won’t complain! We narrowed it down to three choices below. If you think someone else deserves it, tell us who and why by voting Other.
Vote for your “Player of the Week” and tell us why you picked that player. Stay tuned for the results!
Best to Wear # 17 – Patrik Sundstrom
NUMBER: 17
HEIGHT: 6′ 1″
WEIGHT: 200
POSITION: Center
SHOOTS: Left
BORN: December 14, 1961
BIRTHPLACE: Skelleftea, Sweden
Patrik Sundstrom was acquired by the New Jersey Devils in 1988 from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for Greg Adams and Kirk McLean.
Sundstrom had a solid first season with the Devils, but it was his postseason that was unbelievable. In game three of the Patrick Division finals against the Capitals, he set a NHL record for points in a playoff game with 8 points. He finished that postseason with 20 points (7 goals, 13 assists). The record still stands today.
Sundstrom’s offensive numbers started to slump due to numerous injuries and he eventually signed with a hockey club in his homeland of Sweden and finished his hockey career there.
| Career Stats with the New Jersey Devils | ||||||||||
| GP | G | A | P | +/- | PIM | PP | SH | GW | S | S% |
| 305 | 86 | 160 | 246 | 23 | 168 | 34 | 4 | 5 | 536 | 16.0% |
