Happy flight to Vancouver

The Devils knew the meaning of today's game against the Flyers because the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference were written on the marker board in their locker room. They also knew a win would make their long flight to Vancouver tonight a lot more enjoyable.

"We mentioned that before the game to ourselves," John Madden said after a 4-2 win in which scored a power-play goal and a huge shorthanded goal. "That's the obvious one. It's a long flight as it is. So, we're really happy to get the win and happy with the way everybody played tonight."

Clearly the game's biggest moment was Martin Brodeur's save on Daniel Briere on the penalty shot in the second period, which kept it tied at 1-1. Madden scored his shorthanded goal on a 2-on-1 with Jamie Langenbrunner only 40 seconds later.

"It was huge," Devils coach Brent Sutter said of the penalty shot. "When you really think about, that's almost like a turning point in the hockey game. It was 1-1 and they get a penalty shot and Marty makes a great save and then we scored shorthanded shortly after that."

Brodeur is now 4-for-5 on penalty shots in his career. Anaheim's Fredrik Olausson was the only one to beat him on Nov. 24, 1999.

The Devils now lead the Flyers and Rangers by four points for first place the division and second in the conference. They are 13-1-1 in their last 15 games agaisnt the Flyers dating back to 2005-06. Their only regulation loss during that span was a 4-0 defeat on Oct. 18 in Philadelphia. The Devils have beaten the Flyers three in a row since then.

Comments

[Brian]

Was Rupp injured after the fight or did Sutter not want him out there so he wouldn't get into round 2 with Cote, incase the Flyers could gain momentum off of that?

[Anthony]

TG's next blog said he suffered from blurred vision after the fight, got cleared to play the 3rd period, but didn't get another shift

[edweaver]

rupp really can't do much anymore....couldn't even last more than one punch, nevermind providing any offense or meaningful energy(looking forward to a janssen return)

[Craigwell]

I still feel Rupp has a shot. He was effective last year on a line with Janssen. I feel it comes down to Rupp, Asham and Janssen (if he makes it back!) Two of the three will be stick.

It's a toss-up to me, especially with the way Asham has played lately; converting from the slot tonight notwithstanding.

Rupp has done incredibly well in a lot of fights over the past season plus. He's offered up some one-sided whoopin's of his own.

[Danofan355]

Craigwell, you are very right. There is one Flyer you could ask...Braydon Coburn. One nice solid punch and there he went. Granted it was last season, but it was memorable.

[edweaver]

i remember too....and i also remember 2003 vs. anaheim......but we are talking this year and he has had oppurtunities especially when he should be very hungry and has had no impact whatsoever...it really can't be defended, sorry....can't wait to see them match up vs some wc teams, i'll def. be up and watching, lets go devils

[JJ]

A guy like Rupp seems to need more ice time to be effective and he's not been effective with what he's gotten so you can't justify giving him more ice (esp. since Sutter's going w/7 D a lot), so it's really a catch-22. Shame, since if the guy could generate a little more offense, with his size he could be nice player. I mean how can we expect him to make an impact playing 6-7 minutes on a 4th line with Asham and Pelley? I say when Cam comes back send him to Lowell and let him play more mins down there with some players with more O skills to get his game going and see what happens.

[Jersey Mike]

I understand that Rupp will have a special place in all the hearts of Devil fans but other then that one game, what has he really done in the NHL ?

[MikeDeadworks]

Rupp > Janssen... that's not really debateable, it's a fact.

If anything I'd be okay with seeing them trade off healthy scratch spots but to make Janssen a full timer would take away from what offense Rupp has provided.
Maybe if Janseen has been doing a lot of off-ice drils in his recovery time he has something to contribute to the team now.

[Craigwell]

I agree totally with JJ about the catch 22. I almost posted something to that effect, but the bottom line I guess is that Sutter's only going to toss a guy in that role a few minutes a game; and if Rupper was to be the guy, he'd need to make the most of those minutes.

I felt the same way about him last year, in that, if he had more ice time, he would have been better. There was a few games where he had an expanded role, (injury? cant remember) and he did do better. I believe he had a couple goals, and a couple KO's in a 3 or 4 game span.

Then his ice time dropped, and we know the rest.

I think basically he is a victim of circumstances.

[Craigwell]

....and I think Rupp would do better with Asham's ice-time, than....Asham. hehe

[PhantomNJ]

MikeDeadworks,

What offensive production are you speaking of where Rupp is concerned? I realize he hasn't gotten more than a few minutes per game in the 17 games he has played. But even so, he hasn't so much as stumbled into an assist, much less scored a goal. With only 6 shots on goal, he doesn't seem very inclined to change that line either. Given that he only had 9 points in 76 games last year, it's not like this is an aberration either.

I'm not entirely sold that Cam has a place on this team. I think Clarkson serves the same role while bringing some offensive talent to the mix. However, I at least know what Cam would bring to the table. I'm still not entirely sure what Mike is doing for this team other than holding a roster spot.

I'm with JerseyMike in wondering if he's living off of one glorious night where the Devs are concerned.

[Jersey Mike]

ok what offense has Rupp provided this yr ?
Zero pts. Cam brings more in his 5 minutes of ice time then Rupp does in his or 3 seconds. Nobody is scared of Rupp then he is on the ice, but I bet that there or more then a few players with an eye to the side looking for a Cam hit when he is out there.