Devils get an early start on break

After building leads of 2-0 and 3-1 in the second period tonight, the Devils appeared to decide that they had done enough work and were ready to start their all-star break. The Montreal Canadiens weren’t finished working, however, and scored three unanswered goals in the third period to pull out a 4-3 victory _ just their second in New Jersey in more than 14 years.

It also snapped the Devils’ nine-game winning streak over the Canadiens that dated to March 20, 2004.

When asked afterward if his team handed the game to the Habs, Devils coach Brent Sutter angrily replied, “Damn right we did.”

Sutter was so upset that he ordered a 30-minute team stationary bicycle workout after the game before the players could head their separate ways for the break.

“If they don't like it, too bad,” Sutter said. “Patting themselves on the back. They've already got their plans going to Vegas or wherever they’re going when the game is half over. I can't accept that. They can work in the gym now if they don't want to work on the ice."

Sutter pointed to a 5-on-3 power play with 2:47 remaining in the second period as the turning point. Jamie Langenbrunner had just given the Devils a 3-1 lead by scoring on a two-man advantage with 2:58 left in the second, but they had a chance to put the Habs away when the Canadiens bench was assessed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty 11 seconds later with Steve Begin still in the penalty box.

The Devils failed to register a shot on goal during the two-man advantage, however, and left the door open for Montreal. In fact, the Devils registered just five shots on Cristobal Huet after Patrik Elias’ second of the night put them up 2-0 3:24 into the second and finished the game with a season-low 13 shots.

Those 13 shots are the third fewest they’ve ever registered in a game. The team record for fewest shots is 11.

After Bryan Smolinski’s second of the night cut it to 3-2 just 29 seconds into the third period, the Devils took four consecutive penalties against a Habs’ power play that is ranked first in the league on the road. Saku Koivu’s tying goal came just three second after a Elias goaltender interference penalty and Chris Higgins’ game-winner came during Karel Rachunek’s tripping penalty.

The Devils blew a third period lead for the second time in four games after winning the first 17 times this season when they led after two periods. They blew a 1-0 lead in a 2-1 loss to Florida last Friday.

“It was a bad hockey game by all of us,” center John Madden said. “We took four or five penalties that we couldn’t kill and that took the momentum right out of us and we couldn’t get anything done. We couldn’t get any shots or sustained pressure. Nobody had an edge to them. Nobody wanted to win a battle. It was just awful.”

Sutter singled out Langenbrunner, who played despite being ill, as the only Devil who gave the required effort. “Too bad we didn’t’ have anybody else follow his lead.”

“I’m not feeling too good,” Langenbrunner admitted afterward.

Comments

[Jimmy]

I agree the players who gave the most effort were Langenbrunner and Phaneuf...wait

[FTC]

So TG, which player is going to Vegas?

[matt]

Phaneuf?

i think now would be a good time to make that trade Lou.

also remember.. Pandolfo isn't back yet. I know 1 man can't strengthen the whole team, but having him our there helps defensively and offensively.. maybe stopping 1 of these goals.. or scoring another.

Campbell, Kaberle, Redden, Phaneuf.. i don't care. I'd rather keep our forwards than our defensemen.. who wouldn't. Oduya, Mottau, even Rachunek and Vish are looking aweful out there.

[aarrghhh]

He's right on the effort. Worst in years. Dunno why he singled out Langenbrunner, I thought he was bad, but if he's sick, it makes sense. Only thing that kept this game from being an utter abomination was Patty scoring 2 and the difference in the play between the goalies.

BUT, he should get on the bike too, because he didn't exactly have a legendary game. If you think they're shaky, you don't open up with your fourth line in the 3rd and have them play prevent. There were 4 or 5 clears they couldn't reach because of their positioning and it lead to the first goal of the period. That horrible shift really set the tone for the period and there was no reason for them to be out there, Montreal has too much skill to make that kind of gamble.

What's the deal with the cooling-off period... it makes it sound as if it's a violation of some sort.

[Brian]

Greene should play over Rachunek. I hope this is Rachunek's only year in a Devils sweater. I also wouldn't mind seeing Asham sit for a game or two. Let a hungry Brookbank get a shot back into the line up.

[ALEXNJD]

I still don't think that Gionta should be on the 3 line. He is a finisher who is going to set him up? Clarkson still not a playmaker nor finisher.

[Noam N. Kogen]

After seeing tonight's game, I am becoming more and more convinced that the time to sit Rachunek and Vishnevski is lonk overdue. Rachunek makes bad decisions constantly in his own end of the ice that has helped cost the Devils two or three games recently, particularly at home (vs. Florida and Montreal, the two games they led after two periods and lost both games). I see WHY Ottawa and the Rangers let Rachunek go and why the Devils need to do likewise. Vishnevski may have some big awesome hits but in doing so takes himself out of the play and leads to opponents' odd man rushes into the Devils' end of the ice. I agree with several people who have posted on this site that Greene and Brookbank should be playing over Rachunek and Vishnevski. Also, Greene should be playing left defense only. He and Brookbank are good and should be playing.

[ALEXNJD]

True about Asham, no shots on goal nothing good idea to sit him for a game or two or three. I don't know about Rachunek but Vishnevsky had perty bad game.Two or three goals were scored with him on the ice and everybody stoped playing after scored 3rd goal. And whats the story with 5 penaltys on the row in the 3rd?

[PT]

I hope Lou can improve the Defense by the trading deadline but Dion Phaneuf Will probably never become a Devil. TG, any news on who the Devils are trying to get by the deadline?

[brian]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/rumors/post/Lamoriello-looking-at-Blake-Stuart-at-deadline-?urn=nhl,63029

[roy]

You guys really need to shut up about Phaneuf.

You may as well pray we get Lidstrom as well. We have about the same chance.

[TG]

That story the Yahoo link refers to mentions pretty much every player that can become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Not much news there.

[Elias26]

I think this loss increases the possibility of a trade.

[Devilswede]

This game is so embarrasing! One of the most humiliating losses in a very very very long time! There was just no effort! A complete joke from a team that wants to call itself a top team! Not even close with games like that! What a bunch of amateurs we saw last night! Disgusting!

[MoonDragn]

Noam, I completely agree with you! Greene is much much better, but he sucks playing with Vishnevski on the right side of net. He is much much better on the left side. Brookbank is much better on the right side so it works out. Take out Vish and Rachunek. Rachunek was god awful last night. Also at one point in the 3rd I thought I saw Oduya and Rachunek together. No wonder they scored on us.

[Garrett]

Get Greene back in the lineup! I still can't understand sutter's mancrush on odontya. My god, get him and vishnevski/rachunek out of the lineup. We have tooooo many #5-6dmen. Gotta put one or two of them together along with some draft picks or prospects and bring in a top 4 dman. Also, Asham has been non existent for quite some time now. Give him a few games off. Call up Clarke, he'll play with hunger and contribute offensively.

This is a huge wakeup call for the team. Despite being outplayed, they could've come out with some emotion in the 3rd and put the game away. This loss and the Florida loss is tough to stomach. 4 WASTED pts in a tight division. pathetic

I hope the players enjoy their break, because the ruined mine.

[Scott]

Elias sure got the short end of the stick by not being mentioned as giving a good effort. He was continually moving his feet in the neutral zone trying to get open for passes.

[HBK27]

The $1 Hot Dog promotion has got to go.

The first time they did it, the Devils played perhaps their worst home game of the season losing to the Coyotes 4-1. Now this. Sorry fans, but we've got to suck it up...this team just can't play well knowing they're missing out on $1 frankfurters in the stands.

[Mike]

they played aweful in the 2nd half of the game, hopefully it was just a one-time deal, a let down game after the Flyers victory, still no excuse. Sure they're scoring in bunches the last couple of games, but the team needs to get back to concentrating on defense. And maybe Weekes should have played instead of Marty, who looked pretty average last night.

[Mike]

they played aweful in the 2nd half of the game, hopefully it was just a one-time deal, a let down game after the Flyers victory, still no excuse. Sure they're scoring in bunches the last couple of games, but the team needs to get back to concentrating on defense. And maybe Weekes should have played instead of Marty, who looked pretty average last night.

[Mike]

they played aweful in the 2nd half of the game, hopefully it was just a one-time deal, a let down game after the Flyers victory, still no excuse. Sure they're scoring in bunches the last couple of games, but the team needs to get back to concentrating on defense. And maybe Weekes should have played instead of Marty, who looked pretty average last night.

[Drew]

Mottau has actually been excellent I think....

Mike I think you have lost it... stop all the freakin Weekes talk. Brodeur had twenty+ shots in the 3 period alone, with most of those coming with his D (Vish & Rachunek) just standing around with their thumbs up their noses

Do not pin this loss on him. They all played like crap!

[JJ]

This would be a game that would have Scotty Stevens throwing full force checks on his own teammates in the next practice.That lazy, awful 5-on-3 in the 2nd period started the whole downward spiral. If the players don't think this loss was from them looking forward to the break then maybe it was them starting to think they are the '95 Devils when they get a 2 goal lead (which would actually be worse). They'd better start to check themselves (no pun intended) because as a team they just don't have as much talent as most other teams in the league to take a period or a night off.

[GA Devil]

I think FTC asks a very pertinent question: Which Devil or Devils are going to Vegas for the break, TG?

[Jersey Mike]

they cant win all 82 games yes its a disappointing lose not like they not going to lose again so get ready to be disappointed again