Crazy wins such as the Devils' 5-4 win over the Penguins tonight are a bit of an eye-opener for their veterans, who played a lot of 1-0 and 2-1 games during their defense-first days. They've eeked out a pair of one-goal wins in their last two games, but needed to score 11 goals to do it.
Center John Madden, a former Selke Trophy winner and defensive specialist, scored his team-leading fourth goal, but admitted he's not used to these kind of games.
"I'm not at all," he said. "We had a lot of chances. So did they. It's definitely different, a different look. Very entertaining for the fans. I'd like to keep the puck out of our net a little more and continue scoring like we have been. I think that's doable."
Goaltender Martin Broduer, who actually played pretty well despite giving up four goals on 30 shots, wouldn't mind that either. But he's not being picky with the team back to .500 now at 3-3 with the season-opening nine-game road trip continuing in Philadelphia Thursday night.
"We'll take this one," said Brodeur, who earned win No. 496 of his career. "This is a good win. We're back to .500. This is the important thing we have to look forward to now. We scratched through the first six games and now let's try to get ahead."
With three assists in his first game back at center in two years, Zach Parise raised his team-leading point total to nine (one goal, eight assists). The Devils' power play went 2-for-7 to improve to 8-for-31 on the season, but they allowed three more power-play goals on only five chances and have given up eight on 25 chances on the season. That's a concern for a team that used to be one of the best penalty-killing squads in the league.
I love how Brent Sutter knows who his best players are (ie zach parise), and simply gives them the most playing time, even double shifting them. It sounds so simple, but this was not the case last year when we had to match lines and have the Madden line out there for 20+ minutes a game.
Posted by: frankie d | October 18, 2007 at 01:22 AM
I love how Brent Sutter knows who his best players are (ie zach parise), and simply gives them the most playing time, even double shifting them. It sounds so simple, but this was not the case last year when we had to match lines and have the Madden line out there for 20+ minutes a game.
Posted by: frankie d | October 18, 2007 at 01:22 AM
Tom - Have you heard anything about the Devils having an open house at the new arena this weekend?
Prucenter.com is saying there's an open house to the public on Saturday from 2-6, but I noticed that you haven't mentioned anything about it nor has anything appeared on the Devils website (which is odd if they're trying to promote this event). I have received information from the Devils though on opening the arena up to season ticket holders on Sunday from 12-3 though.
Posted by: HBK27 | October 18, 2007 at 10:51 AM
There is an open house Saturday. I'll post the info above. Also, as you pointed out, the season ticket holders are getting their chance to see the place on Sunday.
Posted by: TG | October 18, 2007 at 11:39 AM
Parise's FO % was above 50, which is good but not as good as I had guaranteed.
I think you can look at Brodeur's season so far and say he's been awful; however, he's not letting up big goals in big spots. There were a number of good scoring chances late in the third period last night that Marty shut down, eventually pushing the Devs to a .500 season.
TG - Do you know if Weekes is starting tonight? I know you had said if Marty plays well Wednesday he would start Thursday. Although he did get the win, he still let up 4 goals... is that playing well? I obviously trust Brodeur more than any other goalie in the league, but Weekes is a really good backup option.
Posted by: Maxwell | October 18, 2007 at 03:53 PM