Sutter lights a fire

Sometimes a head coach can go to the whip too often, but Brent Sutter thought the Devils needed another kick tonight during the second intermission of their game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. They played poorly in the first two periods and it took a power-play goal in the final minute of the second from Jamie Langenbrunner to get back to the locker room down, 2-1.

That late goal wasn't enough to soothe Sutter's anger, however, after his team generated only seven shots in the first 30 minutes.

"We had to take notice of a few things," Sutter said. "I didn't like the way we played in the second at all."

"He wasn't really happy about the way things were going," Martin Brodeur said. "It was obvious with eight shots with like five minutes left in the second period. In our building, we've got to be better than that, a little more hungry. That's what he let us know."

The Devils responded and rallied for a 4-3 overtime victory that lifted them into a three-way tie for first place in the Atlantic Division with the Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers.

"We showed a little character tonight and battled back and played our best period in a long time," Langenbrunner said. "We have to figure out a way to play that third period game in and game out."

Sutter's talk took so long that some of the players almost didn't make it out to the bench in time for the start of the third period.

"We had a little chit chat for a while," Langenbrunner said. "Some guys take off their skates and stuff and weren't ready to get them back on in time. Sometimes you need that stuff to wake yourselves up."

Comments

[aarrghhh]

I don't think that was a one-way conversation.

Players don't go out on their own and play box and one. And that's why the Pens were destroying them up to that point.

Dunno what's happened to Sutter, he's been lobotomized into a Julien clone.

They didn't do well in the confines of what they were supposed to do, but it wasn't exactly their strength. The D was dying under the pressure.

[ALEXNJD]

Good comeback, we needed it that. Brodure still not crispy as most of the time, first goal was bad rebound but we won and thats what metters the moust. GOOD GAME.

[Matt]

Thanks to the Pens coach for the time out with about 10 minutes left in the 3rd. I don't know what Brent said during that time out, but it all turned around from there. Go DEVILS!!

[Falcone]

The overall picture of the team scares me. We can't keep coming back, we need to put points on the board and take the lead and keep it. If we don't we're going to have real tired players. And another early exit in the playoffs.

Make a trade, we can't keep listening to Sutter rants. We need to change something up.

[Jeff]

Unfortunately our problem players are untradeable who would want them and our prospects are few and far between.

[Elias26]

Sutter might want to make Marty sit once in a while.

[JJ]

Great comeback but it was unnecessary. Jamie's right, they need to find a way to play like they did in the last 20:39 last night for a full 60 minutes every night. I hope they convinced themselves that they can do better than they have lately. Other than a few bursts & spurts, for the most part since pretty much the midpoint of the Montreal game they've been playing sloppy and uninspired hockey. Usually inconsistency in sports is due to a lack of confidence and maturity. I hope the leaders on this team can convince the young guys that they can play with anyone in this league. If the Giants aren't an example to look to then I don't know who is.

[Brodie30]

How many dives did Jordan Staal take in that game? I counted about five... two on one shift. I didn't think that was part of his game. Been playing with Sidney too much. :-) I guess when you have a good powerplay it's a smart move, but it's a part of the game I wish didn't exist.

[DougieBrown]

TG, just read this article over at TSN about an overlooked, undrafted prospect named Fabian Brunnstrom who's playing at a top level in the Swedish Elite League. According to the article, he's demanding Top 5 draft money, and is talking to about 20 teams. Any word on if the Devils are one of those teams?

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=228921&hubname=

[Maxwell]

It would be a very scary thing if Ottawa ends up with this guy. They'd be almost guaranteed the cup.

[Brodeur30]

I'm glad sutter kept Zpar and elias together. Those two are working very well together right now. Gio is still invisible despite the first line's success. I'm not sure what's wrong with him, but If he was used as trade bait I wouldn't be surprised....Sutter needs to show him film of every goal he score two years ago when he got 48...He was out front creating chaos and tipping in shots. He's barely ever in front of the net anymore.

we have buffalo on wednesday, then a back to back on fri and sat. I'd imagine weekes will get one of these games.

I can't wait to go to the devs-ducks game on fri night. The return of Nieds! I'm hearing mixed reactions on whether people will boo or cheer.

[JJ]

Does Ottawa have any cap room? I thought that's why Redden was rumored to be available? Let's just hope the Flyers don't get him. Funny how the Flyers are involved in EVERY potential free agent signing.

[Mike]

I don't see how the Flyers can bring in Forsberg or anyone else, ,without dumping quite a few contracts. They barely have any cap room left

[Mike]

Most of the time, I'm all for booing players who leave a team via free agency for more money such as Gomez or Holik but I would cheer Niedermayer since he left to be with his brother and he was an important part of the Devils' success when he was here. TG or anyone who knows, do I remember right that the Devils actually offered him more money than the Ducks but he really wanted to go play with Rob?

[Danofan355]

Mike

Yeah, Lou offered Nieds more money and he turned it down to go play with Rob. Brian Burke knew his hand and played it well locking Rob up before we could try to sign him. (I heard we tried to sign Rob to keep Nieds)

[Xander Crews]

Yea i remeber i think the year before Nieds last year here he was talking about he really wanted to go play with his brother and there were alot of rumors Lou was trying to trade for Rob.

[AnthonyRR]

That is exactly why Scott left. Why do you think Lou has a Gionta, a Pandolfo and a Parise on Lowell he won't let that happen again if a Devil has a hockey playing brother Lou is gonna try to grab him.

[TG]

Lamoriello tried to trade for Rob Niedermayer at least twice. I believe he also tried to get him from Brian Burke during the lockout.

Technically, the Devils offered Scott more money. They offered him the max. But, Scott basically got his brother (he was a restricted free agent) more money than he ever would have gotten if they weren't a package deal. When you combine the contracts, you could argue that the Ducks gave him more money.

[Bill]

Niedermayer deserves boos. It's not because he left the team to play with his brother ... that's actually about as noble a reason you can think of to leave a team. He should get booed because he took so long to make up his mind. While he farted around trying to decide whether to resign with Jersey or leave for Cali., all of the good free agent defensemen got swallowed up. By the time he finally made up his mind, all that was left was Vladimir Malakhov and Dan McGillis. It's no coincidence that almost immediately after Nieds decided to head to Anaheim, Lou signed Rafalski to a $4.2M deal and Malakhov to a $3.6M deal ($4.2M + $3.6M = $7.8M, the max offer Lou gave to Nieds). Niedermayer's indecision was, IMO, responsible for the worst offseason personnel wise in franchise history.

He's one of the best to ever wear the uniform and was a HUGE part in our three Cups, but he royally screwed us.

[Mike]

Thanks for the info everyone, glad to see my brain can remember the occasional fact. I have to wonder where the money that would have gone to Niedermayer has gone to though since we lost not only him but Rafalski the year after that, with neither one of them really being replaced. While Rafalski had some defensive lapses (I have seen a few Detroit games this year and it seems those are continuing), at least he would get on the score sheet as well. The days are gone when we could just call up people from Albany to replace injured/missing players and get away with it, it seems to me...I miss the River Rats!

[Mike]

Thanks for the info Bill, I guess Nieds' money went to Rafalski and Malakhov that year. Personally I think a big mistake was made in not keeping Lukowich here, he played solid defense and got an occasional goal as well.

[TG]

I wouldn't pine of Lukowich. He's been terrible for Tampa Bay.

[Skillet]

I agree with Mike, the Devils should have resigned Lukowich.
We wasn't the greatest defensemen in our history but his play was good and he chipped in with some goals and best of all he hit the likes of Prucha, Jagr and Nylander everytime we played the Rangers last season.

With a couple of weeks left before the trading deadline it is anyone's guess as to who Lou is planning on acquiring and how will not be wearing the Devils jersey after Feb 28th. All analyst are predicting that there will be no major trades but one can hope the Devils are able to improve their current lineup. Acquiring some verteran offensive and defensive help is needed badly by this squad. Many times this season it has been obvious that we lack the veteran leadership that is needed to forge ahead. If it wasn't for Sutter cracking the whip on these guys we would be at the bottom of the conference.

[LaserzMelt]

Speaking of Tampa Bay, has anyone else heard the rumor which has Dan Boyle, Chris Gratton and Vaclav Prospal coming to NJ for Brian Gionta, Karel Rachunek, Jordon Parise and 2nd round pick in 2008 draft?

Not sure if there is any truth to this but the rumor is that Pat Burns who lives in Floria and who is a consultant of sorts for Lou is working the phones with the Lightnings GM.

[Scott]

Lukowich and Matvichuk, the loves of misguided Devils fans.