Persistence pays off

The Devils were shut out 11 times last season and appeared headed for blanking No. 1 of the new season tonight until Patrik Elias got a fortunate bounce to net the tying goal with 2:49 remaining in regulation. Then, Zach Parise scored with 37.6 seconds remaining in overtime and the Devils had a well-earned 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins at Mellon Arena.

The Devils are 2-0 for the first time since 2002-03.

"We stayed with it," Devils coach Brent Sutter. "We played a heck of a hockey game here tonight. We skated well with the puck, checked very well and were good in our own zone. For the most part, outside of that power play goal they got, our penalty kill was good. When you have 49 shots on net and you only get 15 against you, it's a pretty solid hockey game."

Sutter tried pretty much everything he could think of to squeeze a goal out of its team, but Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury stopped the 43 shots he faced. Sutter shortened his bench, switched his right wings on his first and third lines, and even used four forwards on a 4-on-3 power play in the third period -- something he said he would "probably" do again."

Sutter moved Dainius Zubrus up from the fourth line to take Brian Gionta's spot at right wing on the top line with Elias and Brian Rolston. Gionta moved down to play on the checking line with Jay Pandolfo and John Madden.

"We wanted more size, size and strength," Sutter said of his reason for putting Zubrus with Elias and Rolston.

David Clarkson -- who Sutter credited for his second period fight with Hal Gill -- had been playing with Madden and Pandolfo, but fell pretty much out of the rotation in the latter half of the third period as did fourth liners Bobby Holik and Mike Rupp, who had two shifts apiece in the third.

"Mac (assistant coach John MacLean) and I just got a feel," Sutter said in explaining why juggled his lines and shortened his bench.

Although Rupp played only six shifts and 2:41 in the game, Sutter said he was pleased with the way he played. Rupp had a first period fight with Eric Godard, which he lost at the end.

"That was nothing against Ruppy," Sutter said. "Ruppy did a great job. His role is his role and some nights he play more often than others."

***

Elias said that he wasn't looking to pass to Rolston on his tying goal, though the center was in the vicinity in front when the puck went in off Hal Gill's right skate.

"It went through my aura," Rolston joked.

***

Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur said career win No. 540 -- now 12 away from breaking Patrick Roy's NHL record -- reminded him of some games he played in earlier in his career.

"It was a fun game to be a part of," he said. "It was typical of when I started in the league. Not many shots and we dominated with a lot of shots and didn't score a lot."

***

Zubrus didn't know what happened on his first period hit that flattened Penguins forward Matt Cooke in the neutral zone. Cooke took a while to get up and Tyler Kennedy had words with Zubrus as he was leaving the ice. Godard also tried to confront Zubrus in the second period, but it never escalated into blows.

"I don't know what happened," Zubrus said. "I went to hit him and then I followed the play into our end. I haven't seen the (replay)."

Comments

[HF]

Big win for the Devs, they really persevered tonight. Whitey was huge tonight along with zajac, parise, elias, and martin. Those were my top 5 on the night. It was interesting to see Sutter change up the lines a bit by using gio with madden-pando and zubrus with rolo-elias. Holik is so solid on the faceoffs and great in the corners and on the wall. On the negative side, PP has to get traffic in front and get to those darn rebounds. Fleury was very shaky at times and the rebounds were there for the taking. Also, Langenbrunner has to get better in the offensive end otherwise move him down to madden's line and put zubrus/vrana with zajac-parise. Now onto the garden!!!

[Frankie D]

Matt Halischuk had 4 goals, 1 assist for Lowell tonight.

[Brodie30]

"It went through my aura" -- I'm so happy to have Brian back. :-)

[Pearl Jammed(RJ Arditti)]

The best i have EVER seen paul martin play. he was serious tonight and it showed, i thought if i squinted my eyes i thought i saw a 2 infront of his 7 on the back of his sweater!

[Hattrick]

Zubrus doesn't belong on the 4th line. ive been saying that for a long time now, He a much better player then Clarkson. Clarkson hes a 4th liner

[Brodie30]

Malkin was ATROCIOUS tonight. Don't bet on that too often.

[Al]

Malkin is MUCh better than Sid and did you ever think the DEVILS made him look "attrocious?"

[chico1]

hey tom...
your blog is fantastic.

mucho thanks from Southern California!

keep up the good work!

[wolfcaster]

Classic New Jersey Hockey, that brings me back. Lots of shots, no goals, but no shots against. Feels good

[Salvatore from Garfield]

I swear. The best part about last nights game, aside from winning, is the fact that we never gave up! I had butterflies in my stomach from last year, but I'm happy the devils proved me wrong. I don't think the devils will register 40+ shots in a game and only score 2 goals again. On some nights, if they played like that did Saturday night, they'll score a heck of a lot more goals!

[Puckster]

After a little first period rust, our defense was absolutely incredible tonight. White, Oduya and Martin were particularly outstanding. Salvador was solid again. Salmela and Mottau had decent games as well.

It was a little frustrating seeing us get so many shots and none of them going in (although as a Devils fan I'm somewhat used to it). Still, I just had a feeling something had to go our way. The Devils didn't disappoint. Very good game.

[Prokat]

If the rest of the games this year were like last nights it will require me to end up at the 'Betty Ford' next June. This was a terrific hockey game. 'Edge of your seat' for a regular season game shows this is not last years Devils. It's a long season and I'm really looking forward to it.

[RNCDevil]

Sorry to be debbie downer but the boys still need to tighten up a bit on defense. The pens had travel and injury handicaps. It was a dominant game but they need to raise their game even higher for the 4-0 rags.

[DevsfaninPGH]

I apologize if this was discussed on the telecast (I was at the game) but it was interesting that the Pens only goal was off the start of a power play from a penalty taken in the Devils offensive zone. Given that the Pens struggled to set up the PP when the puck was cleared, is it safe to say that the new rule could have cost the Devils a shutout?

Great Devils game; liked the moves by Sutter. Clarkson struggled and I was glad to not see him much after his penalty. Salmela looked like a rookie hopefully that will improve. I have high hopes for this season!

[drewbee30]

Im assuming you think they are goin to go 82-0 just like all the 20-24 year old douche ranger fans!!

[DevsfaninPGH]

Pens had injury issues but not a travel handicap. They've been home since Tuesday and were talking about the long layoff between games.

[TG]

That's the reason why they put that rule in DevilfaninPGH. They wanted to make it easier to score on the power play. But it's a rule. You play by them. I wouldn't say it cost them a shutout.

[Devs Fan in Portugal]

Great to see the Devs 2-0 thus far.
Have not seen either game yet here in Portugal. I have been sporting my Devils hat everywhere though.

[lightrail rider]

great to see old time devils hockey from jersey's team.

[mikeford]

On the topic of Paul Martin, I have to say he's been very impressive in the 2 games thus far. His play has had those shades of Niedermayer and Rafalski we heard about but seldom saw. His end to end rushes that get us over the offensive blueline have been a breath of fresh air we NEVER saw last season.

[dante]

zubrus ain't better than clarkson

[Spleens]

D looked good last night I think. The problem with their offense though was that all of their shots were on the outside. They never got dirty down in the slot or anything when taking shots. Gotta give credit to the Penguins' defense without a doubt when keeping Jersey to the outside low percentage shots. Devils need to work on getting to those rebounds and pounding them home. Also to cut down on the penalties. They took a bunch early on and seemed to calm down as it went on. Dumb penalties won't ever be 100% eliminated, but Gionta's bonehead move almost cost them the game. If they play like that every night I'd be rather pleased. Next up - ruining the Rags 4-0 start.

[95-00-03]

Is it me or is this season starting off like it's playoff hockey time? I don't remember the first 2 games being so awesome. Not just because we won, although that's a major plus, but because of the intensity of the games. Hard hits, fights and playing like the season is in jeopardy already! I love it and only hope it continues. Colin White I apologize for wanting to get rid of you after game 1. You proved me wrong last night and I am very glad for that. Can't wait for the Rags game. GO DEVILS!

[Steve]

Last year it seemed like whenever an important "lucky bounce" occured it seemed to go in favor of the other team. However, through 2 nites both goals by Elias and the one in overtime by Parise the devils got the breaks.

lets just hope it stays like that all year.