Brodeur: "They went to the net"

As for all of the contact with Martin Brodeur, I  thought the dive call when he was run into by Fredrik Sjostrom was questionable. Brodeur was outside the crease, so I actually would have understood if they called nothing either way.

And even Brodeur wouldn't say that Jaromir Jagr deserved a penalty for knocking his mask off later in the period.

"They went to the net," Brodeur said. "The Jagr one, he's going to the net trying to score and I'm trying to make a save and he goes right through my crease. We had contact. That's just part of the game. We've just got to make sure these areas, guys can't go there freely and right now, for some reason, they're able to get to the front of the net with a lot of speed or for rebounds. They're around the net a lot. They're hungry to score goals."

The problem the Devils have is that they are not doing a good enough job of protecting Brodeur. As Brodeur said, guys are getting to the net too easily. And the Devils can't let him get run over like that.

"Obviously, that's part of their game plan and we need to react better to it than that," Sutter said.

"We can't let that happen and not respond," Langenbrunner said. "It's a fine line, but you can't let that happen to your best player. We have to do a better job of responding."

The funny thing about tonight's game was both teams (and their fans) though the referees were unfair to them. Whether it was Zach Parise not being penalized for knocking away Henrik Lundqvist's stick before Mike Mottau's goal or Travis Zajac getting the high sticking double minor though Jagr lifted his stick into Michal Rozsival's face.

**What do the Devils need to do to win Game 5 on Friday and force a Game 6 on Sunday?

"A better effort than tonight," Brodeur said. "It was an important game and we came out flat."

Comments

[FTC]

It's going to be a looooooooong summer.

TG, word from Niagra is that Corrente took a flight down to NJ this morning. Has he joined the team yet?

[aarrghhh]

Wonder when Marty has his Roy moment. It's gotta be coming eventually.

[TG]

No word on Corrente. The only players called up today were Vrana, Bergfors and Doyle.

[Xander Crews]

Yep looks like were out of the series baring a miracle so might as well play Vrana, Bergfors, Corrente. Give them some big game experience with little preasure since were losing anyway, just go all out.

[Jason]

Zajac stinks. If he is the piece that kept us from getting Hossa, then Lou should be fired right now. Other folks i don't need to see back next season, include Langenbrunner AKA "Captain Who?", Brylin, Pando, and White.

[mike]

Jason, you're a total moron.

[Jason]

You think Zajac is good? Worth the money he will eventually want? How about are great captain? Where has he been all series? And how many old, slow, role players does this team need? It's not like Madden,Pando and Brylin are out there shutting people down anymore. What's the point of keeping them? Madden is at least speedy, and if he didnt have stones for hands, would probably be a 30goal scorer. But you keep drinking the kool aid, and calling me names from the safety of your mom's basement in Bayonne.

[Uli]

I agree about Zajac, he's shown nothing me all year, no heart, no skill. Very weak on the puck, no strength at all. Goodbye to Sarge, should be demoted to Private, sucks. I have been advocating getting rid of White for years, useless, immobile bum. Another LL mistake signing him. Team just doesn't have enough skill and talent, are you listening LL? Go ahead and raise tix prices next year. I feel bad for Marty, gets no help defensively or offensively. Langenbrunner is decent on the third line only.

[Jeremy]

I don't necessarily agree with Jason, but certain offensive players have been inconspicuous against the Rangers. The same Rangers team that allowed 5 goals to Tampa earlier this season, 6 to Minnesota and 6 to Toronto. Instead of the blame game, Devils coaching staff should be voraciously analyzing those tapes, trying to find a weakness in the Rangers defense. That said, the Devils lack an offense threat. It's that simple. Mike, Jason is frustrated, but how can you call him a total moron for his comment? Travis Zajac has been a non-fctor this entire series, and, in fact, this entire regular season.

Other Ideas to Ponder:
1. Jamie Langenbrunner's groin injury- did he come back too early? He's been ineffective other than game 4's rare production.

2. Brian Gionta- zero goals, zero assists in playoffs... is he worth 4 million a year?

3. Paul Martin, D, 3 points... rest of Devils blueliners TWO combined points

4. Gomez, Avery, Jagr- 15 points between the treo

5. Devils coming into game 4- 14 points

6. The Devils need scoring in the off season. In addition, their young and inexperienced defensemen are incapable of competing on the top two pairings...

7. If Lou Lamoriello does NOT spend in the off season, the Devils will not win another Stanley Cup for many years... he makes intelligent moves... but, overpaying for Gomez, Drury, Briere would have made the difference in the Devils success this year and for years to come.... I think I would have paid Briere first, considering his recent success (90 plus points last season), but Lou has to do more to increase production and physicality...

8. Without Scott Stevens, Ken Daneyko, the Devils lack stay-at-home defensemen... I'm a huge Devils fan, but Colin White and his 3 million a year contract don't compare to Stevens and Daneyko, and never will... I love White, but he makes too many egregious rookie mistakes... and I need him to hit someone in mid-ice... when Gomez attacks with his head down, White needs to move up on the play and smash his lights out... enough said

[Uli]

I agree with you, Jason. Real fans like us complain when their team stinks. LL has been terrible since the cap came into effect. I really hope the draft choices work out but then again, keeping Vrana in the minors all year instead of showing us what he can do in NJ is another management gaffe. You telling me an Asham, Brylin, Zajac or Rupp couldn't sit out a few games so we can see the kid play? We need some big changes next year. Hossa is the man but I have no confidence LL will have the stones to sign him.

[What Would Scotty Stevens Do?]

Why isn't anyone standing up for Marty on this team?! Where's the heart? He needs to be protected -- they're running him over night after night -- I wouldn't be surprised if he chops someone real good in the back of the leg next game. It'd be nice to see it not have to come to that... Where's Asham? Clarkson? Rupper? They ain't scoring goals, that's for sure. They might as well be of SOME use. Asham's been a frickin' phantom out there and I'm wondering if his "whatever" attitude still lingers in that locker room.

[Jason]

Look, I think Gionta and Elias are good players. But they are guys that need someone to set them up. If we go get that guy, I think they will come right back to prominence. But that's a big IF. I for one though, am pretty much willing to let anyone else on this team walk to do it. We need at least one line that other teams fear.

And we need a captain with some heart. If not Madden, then go get Jason Smith, and make him the captain.

Elias X Gionta
Zubrus Y Parise
Pando Madden Langenbrunner
Asham Rupp Clarkson

X is a high profile (assists first) center with speed AND size.

Y can be Zajac to start, but if he is lousy again next year, you gotta make a deadline deal to get rid of him, and bring someone else in. And I still think we need some toughness in that spot.

[aarrghhh]

It isn't Zajac's fault he was rushed into the league. At least there won't be a lockout to compound his being rushed up, like there was with Martin. Martin is finally back where he should be 3 full seasons later. Zajac probably should have gone back, but this isn't '97 with Sykora, we don't have a B team in the minors, so there was nothing to be gained.

It's been a lost year for him, much like Parise's first season was a lost year up until maybe the last 6 weeks or so. We'll see where it goes with him next year.

[Chico Eats!]

Ya know Doc, Vinny Prospal will be a UFA this summer. I know lots of Devils fans might not like to have him on the team because he's been a Philadelphia Flyer not once but twice, but he's a darn good player...

::eats hot dog::

[Adam]

Beating Bitchqvist----err, Lundqvist, isn't much of an issue anymore. They just need to stop making mistakes. It's that simple. Bryce was really weak on one of those goals, but apart from that he's one of the best d-men on our team and we need him back.

Vishnevski has also impressed me in the last two games.

[Adam]

These guys have scored 7 goals in the past two games, and somehow everybody is fed up with the team and needs to see change?

Shut up. They're just getting outplayed. It's that fucking simple. You guys call yourself fans? You're just whining because your team is losing.

I am probably more pissed off than any of you, but I wouldn't go about crying about how the players are doing. Does making excuses help you guys sleep easier at night?

[Brodie30]

Refs were just all around terrible tonight (Kevin Pollack is the worst, how is he in the playoffs?). Scared to make certain calls, then made some head scratchers. Didn't call a 5 on 3 when Elias got taken down on the PP, but then missed Zach's slash. The league just doesn't protect goaltenders anymore. They don't care how ugly the goals are so long as the number goes up and they can claim that they have a great new 'product'. I think maybe we Devils fans should brace ourselves for the fact that maybe Marty isn't going to get to ride into the sunset for his retirement. His career may end just like Richter's did.

[aaron]

remember when langenbrunner used to take shots?

he was AWFUL tonight. looked totally lost.

[brian]

you cant protect brodeur when you are not in front of the net, which devil D rarely are. how can any team let their goalie be hounded like that with no reaction?? scary!!! zajac did do some good work in the corners in game 3, but silent he has been. gio and langs can get on the amtrak out of newark. sorry but white can have a ticket to. as for sarge he does come to play every night and if you need veterans than i take him. lets start this ship right during the coming months...new blood and some spending money. still want to use my game 7 tickets...dig down guys where is the team that one 9 striaght?? find them today will you!!!

[Erick]

Still NO MOJO!!! You can bet if Stevens or Daneyko (or any of the other old defensemen we had) were here, nobody would be taking liberties with Brodeur. This team is waiting for penalty calls??? The team is soft, both mentally and physically.

On another note TG, how much has White's vision been degraded? And do you think it has had an influence on the fact that he's bumped into teammates at least two crucial times this series on plays that resulted in goals for the Rangers???

[MAS]

I am in complete agreement offense is needed; no argument whatsoever. However, everyone just creates a shopping list of what we need and expect it to get done. There are 29 other teams that want a "puck moving defenseman" and a "big, strong, scoring center." It's not just about what we want....it's about where players will go, too.

To me, that is the Devils biggest problem. The system and marketing of the team just doesn't necessarily attract the type of players we need to compete in the new NHL.

[Falcone]

I don't know what the hell you guys are talking about with Zajac. He had 8 less total pts this year compaired to last year (34/42). You guys are b*tching about 8 stinkin pts? I agree he hasn't showed up in the playoffs, but no one has this post season. Travis is on the wrong line, as is Gio. Gio's not a checker. He's a scorer. You got to put him on a line with guys that are going to create chances.

Also, what happened to our checking line? I thought we were supposed to shut down the other team's top line.

Now for our D. Paul has been great this post season. Whitey sucks. Never liked him. Is big and slow. Gets beat on the outside, takes stupid penalties and ices the puck contstantly. VV does nothing. You guys who say he adds a bug check, great. Ooohhhh. Too bad he's constantly out of position and does very little.

We need to protect Marty. If we're not going to protect him, we need to crash Princess Lundquist. Just run him once. They don't like it, tough s**t. I don't care if we take a penalty protecting Marty, its well worth it. You need to set the tone.

[Gjdevs]

The Devils have some issues with the offense minds of their minor leagues and players. They have trouble scoring in Lowell & Trenton and this is where your players are suppose to be developed.

I just don't understand that when you have no understanding to the salary cap and we have made mistakes from the Niedermayer problem, then last year with the Rafi and Gomez problem we have not understood how to resolve a problem.
Jason Smith was out there, Briere was out there. There was players to attact to help and then when the trading deadline came down nothing was done but a stay at home defenseman.

I thought the merger with Yankees was going to create a change, then the new arena would give a shot of money into the team since they are making money at all events at the arena.

Instead I watch a bunch of 7 & 6th defenseman on a depth chart try to compete.

The Devils make mistakes, they create their own problems because they do bonehead plays. If this team understood what each players was suppose to do and not do anything more it might limit the problems they create for themselves.

[Jeff]

MAS - I completely agree with you. If you are a scoring center (i.e. Hossa, etc), why on EARTH would you come to the Devils? Do you think you will get the same stats you would anywhere else?

Parise and Elias would be 100 point producers in any other system, but the Devils system does not allow this.

As Gomez has said many times before, the Devils do not play an open, free-flowing system that is condusive to goal scoring. They play a positional and defensive system that is reliant on forcing turnovers and capitalizing on them.

Is there a stastistic showing the time of the game played in the Devils defensive zone versus the Rangers defensive zone? I guarantee it would be almost a 2:1 ratio played in the Devils defensive zone. That tells me that the Devils just don't have the players to force the play and maintain puck possession.

I hope during the off-season, which will be here in the next week or so, that Lou and the coaching staff can begin to address some of these issues.

[Falcone]

Oh and taking on Hossa short term, though might have provided some O, would have hurt us more long term.

The young guys are our future. Lowell isn't too deep with talent on O. So giving up a Zajac and another 2 young guys for Hossa, who's old, and injury prone, wouldn't have been a smart move.

However with that being said. We need to go after higher priced free agents. Jason Smith, Briere are guys that would have helped us. I'm not sure who's on the block this year, but we have to make an impact with a big name O man and a big name D man.