Devils coach Brent Sutter was unhappy with defenseman Johnny Oduya for trying to pick up his dropped stick on the play that led to Bill Guerin's power-play goal with 3.7 seconds left in overtime tonight, which gave the Islanders a 4-3 victory.
Oduya was caught in the right corner trying to pick up his stick, leaving teammates Paul Martin and John Madden outnumbered 4-on-2 in front. That gave Mike Comrie time to walk in on goaltender Kevin Weekes from the right corner and left Guerin alone in front to put away the rebound.
"When you drop your stick like that, you've got to get back in position and not worry about your stick at that point in time," Sutter said. "But that's just a young player's mistake."
Oduya had a tough night. He was also caught up at the blue line when Miroslav Satan raced around Paul Martin in the right circle to score a goal that made it 2-1 Islanders 5:35 into the second.
"I don't know what happened," Oduya said of losing his stick. "I got caught."
Sutter made it clear that he didn't blame the loss on Oduya, though. He pointed directly at the second period, in which the Devils were outscored 3-0 for the second game in a row. In the last five games, the Devils have been outscored 13-3 in the second period.
"Our commitment in the second period was brutal," Sutter said.
Although the Devils were able to kill off Brian Gionta's four-minute high sticking double minor in the third period, they gave up two more power-play goals on six times shorthanded. Since not giving up a power-play goal in their season opener in Tampa, the Devils have allowed at least one in each of their last seven games.
Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur was seen icing his left shoulder after the morning skate and before the game, but insisted he was healthy. He got the night off anyway as Kevin Weekes made his second start of the season.
Mr. Gulitti, great job as always on this blog. Is Sutter or Robinson in charge of making the defensive pairings? I really think they need to give Vishnevski more ice time and address the performances of Oduya and Rachunek. I also think all the defenseman need to work on clearing the front of the net. That seems to be a glaring issue this year. White can't come back soon enough. The Devils need him!
Posted by: Brian | October 20, 2007 at 11:52 PM
You're not kidding about White.
This is a completely ridiculous thought, but I think we need Matvichuk (!) out there playing for us until we trade him off. Maybe if he plays well someone will be somewhat interested in the bum.
Just a thought...
Posted by: Maxwell | October 21, 2007 at 12:34 AM
im glad we got the point. but i was upset with the reffing in ot, made me really upset....
Posted by: Jon | October 21, 2007 at 12:52 AM
The referees in OT really lost this game for the Devils, in my opinion. Greene's penalty was clearly not a penalty at all. Not to mention, Brylin should have earned a call for being hauled down and Madden was high-sticked as well. The refereeing really needs to be addressed following that OT.
Posted by: Laura | October 21, 2007 at 09:53 AM
Unfortunately the officials are having more and more of an impact on games these past few years since the lockout. I have seen many games where the officials single handedly decided games and last night may have been another. The two non calls on the Madden and Brylin breakaways stung (although the Brylin one I might give to them), but the bogus call on Greene was outrageous. It was obvious incidental contact and the fact that the ref only raised his arm after the crowd started booing goes to show how much they are swayed.
Posted by: Yaron | October 21, 2007 at 01:09 PM
how many times are Oduya's mistakes going to be just brushed off as a young player's mistakes ? Other than his speed, what does Johnny O really bring to the table ? I wished that Brookbank would have been given a chance against either the Flyers or Isles. I think we desperately need to bring in another d-man, whether it's Markov (pair him with Greene) or trade for another d-man.
Tom G, any word about the Devils trying to pick up another d-man, especially with no idea on how Whitey's going to be out ?
Posted by: Mike | October 22, 2007 at 10:38 AM
how many times are Oduya's mistakes going to be just brushed off as a young player's mistakes ? Other than his speed, what does Johnny O really bring to the table ? I wished that Brookbank would have been given a chance against either the Flyers or Isles. I think we desperately need to bring in another d-man, whether it's Markov (pair him with Greene) or trade for another d-man.
Tom G, any word about the Devils trying to pick up another d-man, especially with no idea on how Whitey's going to be out ?
Posted by: Mike | October 22, 2007 at 10:39 AM
how many times are Oduya's mistakes going to be just brushed off as a young player's mistakes ? Other than his speed, what does Johnny O really bring to the table ? I wished that Brookbank would have been given a chance against either the Flyers or Isles. I think we desperately need to bring in another d-man, whether it's Markov (pair him with Greene) or trade for another d-man.
Tom G, any word about the Devils trying to pick up another d-man, especially with no idea on how Whitey's going to be out ?
Posted by: Mike | October 22, 2007 at 10:39 AM