Doing fine in Carolina

Assorted items from tonight's 4-1 victory at Carolina.

**The Devils scored in the first period and scored first for the fifth game in a row. They had gone eight consecutive games without scoring a first period goal before that. They improved to 17-4-1 when scoring first and 12-1-1 when leading after the first period. "You can tell just the way that we play," Martin Brodeur said. "When we do score early I think our offense is a lot better. We're not pressing as much. We're making the plays. It's kind of nice in the last few games we've been scoring first all of the time."

**The power play produced two more goals and has scored at least one in five consecutive games. Prior to that, they went five consecutive games without scoring a power-play goal.

**Patrik Elias has four goals and four assists in his last seven games, including his left circle blast over Cam Ward's catching glove for the game-winner tonight. When asked if he can shoot the puck harder than that, Elias joked, "I've got plenty more." There was some bad news, though. "It was one of those days I had a good stick and unfortunately it got broken on the last shift of the game," Elias said.

**Zach Parise (two assists) admitted Jamie Langenbrunner (two assists) may have been off-sides on Elias' goal. "We were talking about it afterward," he said.  "We thought they were going to blow it dead. I thought he was off-sides." Langenbrunner was more vague. "It was close,' he said. "Nine times out of 10 they get it right. People always complain, but usually they do get it right. I haven't seen the replay. I felt like I was fine. It was close."

**Travis Zajac had a goal and an assist and has three goals and two assists in his last five games.

**Parise drew four of the team's five power plays tonight. He said he was fine after being driven hard into the boards on Dennis Seidenberg's boarding penalty in the third.

**Sergei Brylin snapped a 15-game goal drought with his rebound goal with 1:52 remaining. He also tied Aaron Broten for fourth on the fanchise's all-time list by playing in his 288th consecutive regular season game. "It had been a while," Brylin said of scoring. "I was getting chances every game. It was nice to get that goal at the end of the game. It was still 3-1."

***Believe it  not, despite all the trouble the Devils have had at RBC Center in the playoffs (they've lost six consecutive postseason games there), they've won their last four regular season games in Raleigh and are 9-2 in their last 11. "I would have said no to that one," Brodeur admitted.

**Brandon Nolan, who was called up Wednesday by the Hurricanes because they were short healthy bodies due to a slew of injuries and the flu, is the son of Islanders coach Ted Nolan and was drafted in the third round by the Devils (72nd overall) in 2001. Nolan twice attended training camp with the Devils, but they failed to sign him during their two-year window. He re-entered the draft in 2003 and was selected by Carolina. "They tried to (sign him)," Nolan said. "We just couldn't come to terms.  That just happens, so we decided to go back in the draft." 

**Even with Nolan and Keith Aucoin being called up Thursday, the Hurricanes still played one forward short.

Comments

[Scott731]

I think the Elias goal was onsides. I didn't slow motion the replay or anything but I think the puck went in,then Langs left the zone, then Langs touched the puck, and Elias entered the zone.

I would not have been surprised to see the play blown dead whether it was offsides or not since they usually whistle close plays offsides just to be "safe".

[wkmaier]

TG,

That was you off to Sutter's right during his presser, right? Jeez, it always looks like he's facing a firing squad when he's up against the cement wall with the glare of the lights.

[Jeff]

Yeah he always seems to have the annoyed deer in headlights look during his press conferences win or lose

[Falcone]

Glad we won. However Sarge still isn't doing much for me, even after his goal. Sarge's time with us is over and has been over in my mind.

Clarkson needs to be smarter and stay on his feet. I'm really tired of seeing him fall down on every single shift. I don't mind his physical play, but he's got to learn balance.

Good to get the win last night. We played well, controlled the puck for most of the game. Still have some little stuff we need to work on. Need to shoot the puck more. THe 4th line is playing real well, happy about that.

TG- How freakin fast do u write? I saw you taking notes during Sutter's post game interview and you're hammering away. No voice recorder?

[Maxwell]

Speaking of onsides plays, there was a situation last night with about 3:40 left in the second period where there was a draw near center ice. The 'Canes entered into the Devs' zone but the puck was cleared. Andrew Ladd, however, never left the zone, and the puck came back into it. Ladd took possession, but was stimied by a good defensive play (forget by whom).

It was very odd - he would've been called offsides in soccer.

I guess they just blew it, or possibly I have the offsides rule confused a bit. Anyone know what I'm talking about???

[TG]

If it's the situation I think you're talking about, that puck was brought back into the zone by the Devils, so there is no off-sides.

And i do use a recorder and write quotes down. You just couldn't see it.

[JJ]

Everyday there's someone new to rag on in this blog. Today it's Sarge. I suppose you think we should trade him or bench him when Cam gets back. Is he undersized? Yes. Does he have amazing physical talent? No. But this guy can and has played in any situation on any line at any time. He has probably gotten more out of his physical abilities as anyone ever has in the NHL through smarts and hard work. I can't tell you how many times I've seen him sacrifice himself and get plastered into the boards in order to make a play. He stepped into Pando's checking role seamlessly.

[edweaver]

completely agree with jj....sarge can play any role and a great example of a team player and a true Devil....always love to see him get a goal because of his hard work every game

[RJ Arditti]

I love sarge as well, he has been an invaluable asset to this team since 1995, and has never complained, he just ALWAYS goes out and does his job, whatever it is that game, night in and night out. I hope to one day be at his Jersey retirement ceremony at the rock.... as a career Devil, he should be remembered as fondly as Danyeko, because in my opinion he has contributed just as much IF NOT MORE than Dano did in his tenure with the Devils.

Cheers to you Sarge you truely are the definition of what a hockey player should be!

TG... who has the best food for the media on the road? just curious

[Uli_Hiemer]

How are you going to knock on Sarge, especially after that fine show of coordination he showed last night? He shows up every night and plays hard. You should be ashamed of yourself. Your opinion is your opinion, but it's also dumb and wrong.

[Mark]

I've been in the locker room a few times with you, TG. I once looked at your notepad and I couldn't even read it, it looked scribble to me.

[Maxwell]

You're right TG - I went back and checked it out. It was a Devil who brought it back in the zone.

Thanks!