So, what exactly did Jamie Langenbrunner do during the all-star break?
That was the question I asked the Devils captain after he scored the tying and winning goals in a 4-3 overtime victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight at Prudential Center.
"I just relaxed I guess," Langenbunner said of his all-star break. "The first half of the year I was gripping the stick really tight. It wasn't that I wasn't getting the opportunities. It's just that when you're gripping it tight, you seem to miss them. And for whatever reason I feel just a little more relaxed out there and the puck is finding its way in the net."
After scoring the tying goal with 30.1 seconds left in regulation, Langenbrunner completed the Devils' comeback from a 3-1 third period deficit with his winning goal with 1:00 left in overtime to extend the team's winning streak to eight games..
Travis Zajac set it up with a cross-ice feed from the right circle to Langenbrunner in the left circle for a one-timer past goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. Zajac looked shot first, which froze Fleury, before passing to Langenbrunner, who had a half-empty net to shoot into.
"That was unbelievable," Langenbrunner said. "I just watched the replay doing an interview with Stan (Fischler) and he froze him completely and it was right on my tape. I had pretty much the entire net to shoot at."
Langenbrunner has three consecutive two-goal games since the all-star break after scoring only eight goals in 47 games before the break. It was his second OT winner in as many nights. He scored 1:11 into overtime in Thursday's 4-3 win in Boston.
The Devils came back from a 3-2 deficit late in that one.
Langenbrunner credited his turnaround to some conversations with former Devils massage therapist Juergen Merz, who often used mind relaxation techniques to help struggling players get out of slumps during his time with the team.
"I've been getting phone calls from my buddy Juergie and we talk things through all the time and sometimes it eventually kicks in," he said. "He does a good job of just settling you down...I have to give a lot of credit to him."
Langenbrunner said he saw Merz during the Devils' trip out west ealier this month, "and then I talked to him a few more times."
Anybody see me on the big screen. Its my sweet 16!!!! Devils definately came back and won for me!!!!
Im happy he found a way to relax and get out of the slump.
Posted by: RG9 | January 30, 2009 at 11:01 PM
Haha I got a lot of complimants on my Whalers jersey
Posted by: Robbie | January 30, 2009 at 11:05 PM
I WAS AT THE GAME. BEHIND FLUERY FOR 1st 3rd and overtime. 8 rows up. IT WAS AMAZING. I WAS JUMPING . I NEVER DO THAT. The devils deserved to win, they were the better team. justice is served. Our team is God
Posted by: Speedz | January 30, 2009 at 11:30 PM
i did see someone holding a sign that said something about sweet 16 that must have been you lol
Posted by: Bill | January 30, 2009 at 11:30 PM
haha yeah i saw your sweet 16 sign
Posted by: sneakypants | January 30, 2009 at 11:31 PM
I did see someone holding a sign that said something about Sweet 16 so that must have been you lol
Posted by: Bill | January 30, 2009 at 11:31 PM
Unbelievable game....
I saw the best fight in the stands ever in Sectio 231 (One punch knocking one Penguin fan down the stairs and into two more fans, spilling beer all over themselves)...
One other note, I wanted to check out the highlights and unfortunately they have the Penguins announcers doing it...they are AWFUL! They are so deflated when Penguins are scored on....they are completely biased...
We are blessed to have Doc...
Posted by: Kasey | January 30, 2009 at 11:34 PM
The energy was great tonight at the rink. Every one pumped at the game tying goal and the overtime I went beserk.
Posted by: Speedz | January 30, 2009 at 11:36 PM
Kasey i too watch the replay on nhl.com and i agree the pens announcers killed that game and any excitement that it had which sucks cause people will watch the replay (non devils fans) and they wont appreciate it dam those announcers they should be fired lol
Posted by: Bill | January 30, 2009 at 11:47 PM
Great game! Great energy at the rink.
Not sure if this was mentioned elsewhere, but Crosby couldn't last an entire shift in OT. He took 2 faceoffs and went for a change immediately.
TG - any word if it was his knee again?
Posted by: GG | January 30, 2009 at 11:49 PM
GG - the Pens announcers said that it seemed to be an equipment issue, he apparently ran to the dressing room (not something he would have done had his knee been hurting).
Posted by: stoonbora | January 30, 2009 at 11:55 PM
I saw the sweet 16 sign, and happy birthday by the way!
They did not deserve to win this game but they did it anyway, and that my fellow Devils fans is the mark of a great team
Posted by: Pearl Jammed(RJ Arditti) | January 31, 2009 at 12:04 AM
Thanks stoonbora. I couldn't tell what was wrong at the game, just that he couldn't finish a shift in OT.
Posted by: GG | January 31, 2009 at 12:06 AM
TSN said Crosby was having skate problems...
Posted by: Jeff | January 31, 2009 at 12:09 AM
GREAT WIN!!! ranks up there 2nd now next to the 8-5 drubbing of the stay-puff marshmallow fan!!!I'm not gonna comment on the game, cause well we all saw how it played out. I will however comment on the fite in 231. I was about 5 rows up from it and over a section. I've traveled to many of away games as a Devil fan and have cheered on my team. Nothing loud, nothing obnoxious. Devils score I clap, routinely I'll stand up and cheer thats it. (Although I did go nuts this year when I was at the Bell Centre for the Devils OT win). Anyways the 4 Penguins fans I believe stood up and cheered their team when they scored. The kid in the Crosby jersey, he was being a bit of an arse pull up the crosby name and what-not pointing to the devil fans, a bit unecessary but so be it. Anyways game is at 2-1 now and words start being exchanged between the Penguins fans and a Devils fan maybe 3 rows back. I didn't hear what was exchanged b/t the two so I can't really comment on it. Sooooooooooooo, middle of the second intermission Mr. tough guy Devils fan decides to sit in the 4 Penguins fans seat and wait for them to come back. The PITT fans come back and ask they guy to move, he doesn't, they again ask him and he still sits there like a tough-guy. The NJ fan finally gets up words are exchanged and the PITT guy takes a swing. I'm sorry to say but the PITT fan had every right to take the first
Posted by: drewbee30 | January 31, 2009 at 12:23 AM
Drew he didn't have any right to take a swing, that is why they have ticket ushers and security. You don't jeopardize the safety of those around you so you look like a tough guy. Not to mention there were probably a lot of families there tonight.
Posted by: Nick L | January 31, 2009 at 01:33 AM
Pearl Jammed, in what way did the Devils not deserve this win? The Pens were outshot 43-16 in this game. If anything, the Pens stole a point. Shanahan and Sutter seemed to believe they deserved the win fair & square.
Posted by: EssexCntyDev | January 31, 2009 at 01:43 AM
That win felt great. I can not even explain how exciting this team is to follow. Langenbrunner is really downplaying his impact in the last few games. He is taking this team to a level that has been non-existent for a few years. When I watch them play, it is evident they understand they will not lose. They play with their heads up and hats off to Clemmer for coming through so big in the final second when everyone was still shaking off the chills that langenbrunner instilled. I feel like with the way we are playing, there is no way we can not win the cup this year. I realize there is still a lot of work left to be done, but everyone in this organization is making moves to win. especially Lou with the shanny signing. He got us back in tonight.
Posted by: jay | January 31, 2009 at 03:53 AM
100% agree essex. now since I live in the pitt area I get the garbage fsn pittsburgh feed so for you all complaining about a few compacted play-by-play gems from those retarts that do the pens announcing I more than feel you pain (though I can't say they managed to dull my excitement that much). Anyways at the end of the game the homer has the arrogance to go and say "well the Devils come out here tonight and STEAL ... STEAL! this point from the pens who definatly deserved it tonight." I literally sat there for a second with my jaw hanging open in aw of their collective dumbness. I envy you all with the devils feed so much ... even nights when you have cangellosi, yeah it's that bad "shot! ... SCARS!!!" the classic cangellosi goal announcing haha
Posted by: josh | January 31, 2009 at 04:13 AM
man! I'm vacationing right now in Asia and I'm missing all these awesome games!!! :( Is there a place online I can possibly watch the past two devils games? I'm rocking my Devils gear but unfortunately noone has a clue who they are over here. lol I am headed back home to New Jersey on February 5th so I can't wait to watch the rest of the season. Go Devils!
Posted by: HoOn | January 31, 2009 at 06:52 AM
HoOn - atdhe.net provides live sports for free.
Posted by: JJ | January 31, 2009 at 10:32 AM