Kevin Weekes was in net to start the third period for the Devils and gave up a goal to Marty Reasoner on the first shot he faced.
Reasoner scored on wrist shot from the right circle 2:09 into the period to increase the Altanta Thrashers lead to 4-0 tonight at Prudential Center.
John Madden nearly had a goal there, but the net was knocked loose before he put the puck in the net at 2:51.
Things are starting to get ugly now. Eric Boulton has wanted to go again with Mike Rupp since their fight in the second period. After taking that dumb roughing double minor earlier in the period, he finally got his chance there during that scrum following Andy Greene's hit on Slava Kovzlov with 12:57 left.
Rupp gave it to Boulton pretty good there before Boulton finally wrestled him down at the end.
The Thrashers scored three times in the second period. The Devils left the ice for the second intermission to a chorus of boos. Scott Clemmensen gave up three goals on 19 shots in the first 40 minutes.
***
Jim Slater upped the Thrashers' lead to 3-0 with 6:00 left in the second period.
After Ilya Kovalchuk chipped the puck ahead to Chris Thorburnon on the left wing in the neutral zone, Slater raced up to create a 2-on-1 rush with Andy Greene back as the lone defender. Thorburn fed Slater in the middle and he pulled the puck from his backhand to his forehand before firing the puck past goaltender Scott Clemmensen on the stick side.
David Clarkson attempted to catch up to Slater from behind, but was slow in getting back.
Kovalchuk's power-play goal 5:31 into the second period made it 2-0.
Kovalchuk blasted a one-timer from the top of the left circle past goaltender Scott Clemmensen on the stick side.
Colby Armstrong scored 3:03 into the second period to open the scoring.
After Todd White fell down intercepting a John Madden pass behind the net, Armstrong took the puck and whipped a backhand from the right side of the net that trickled between Clemmensen's legs. The puck droped behind Clemmensen in the crease. He fell backward and knocked it in with the back of his left arm.
The Devils wasted another power play to start the second period. This time they got one shot on goal -- Brian Gionta's slap shot from the top of the left circle -- and had trouble even getting set up. Not a good sign.
Patrik Elias just went to the locker room with equipment manager Rich Matthews (10:30 left).
Elias is back on the bench (9:24 left in period).
It looks like Brent Sutter is trying to shake up his team by mixing up his lines.
Travis Zajac is on the Devils' bench, but he's skipped over him a couple of shifts now.
It looks like Brian Rolston is centering Zach Parise and Brian Gionta.
Now Zajac is with Dainius Zubrus and Elias. Zajac took the first two draws, but then Zubrus took a draw. I think Zubrus is at center and Zajac is at wing.
Jamie Langenbrunner is with Jay Pandolfo and John Madden.
Mike Rupp handled Eric Boulton in that fight with 8:42 left.
***
That was not a great first period for the Devils. They managed only six shots on net against a team that has allowed a whopping 149 goals this season (tied with the Islanders for most in the NHL).
Colin White must have some extra energy tonight. He ran out of position right off the opening facoeff and the Thrashers almost got a 2-on-1 because of it. Then, he called for Travis Zajac to pass him the puck in the offensive zone and he took the Devils' first shot of the night from the left point at 28 seconds.
The Bryce Salvador-Paul Martin pairing has been reuinted. White is with Johnny Oduya and Mike Mottau and Andy Greene are together.
That was a nice play by Oduya to stand up Ilya Kovalchuk on that one-on-one situation.
Brian Rolston showed some strength tossing aside Niclas Havelid at the Altanta blue line to get a breakaway at 5:58. Kari Lehtonen came up with the right pad save, though. That could be a good sign that Rolston's ankle is feeling better.
Although the Devils didn't give up an early goal for the first time in three games, it still looks like they're a little off. They're not connecting on passes or making crisp plays in the defensive zone. Zajac hit Zach Parise in the head with that one pass.
That was a good fight between David Clarkson and Chris Thorburn after a slow start. Clarkson got in a couple of good right hands, but Clarkson was in trouble at the end when Thorburn got his shirt over his head. He was fortunate the linesmen stepped in.
Patrik Elias looked like he was worried about the broken stick on the ice on that 3-on-1 rush with 6:50 left. That might be why he didn't pass to Dainius Zubrus.
The Devils were not happy that Joey Crabb took a slap shot on the whistle for playing the puck with a high stick with 4:35 left.
The Devils' first power play of the night was not very good. They didn't register a shot on goal.
It doesn't look like a great crowd tonight. The Thrashers are a tough draw.
***
Here are the starting lineups for tonight's game between the Devils and the Atlanta Thrashers at Prudential Center.
Interesting that Colin White is paired with Johnny Oduya. I wonder if that means that Paul Martin and Bryce Salvador will be back together.
DEVILS
Forwards: Zach Parise-Travis Zajac-Jamie Langenbrunner. Defensemen: Colin White-Johnny Oduya. Goaltender: Scott Clemmensen.
THRASHERS
Forwards: Slava Kozlov-Todd White-Colby Armstrong. Defensemen: Niclas Havelid-Tobias Enstrom. Goaltender: Kari Lehtonen.
***
Pre-game warm-ups for tonight's game between the Devils and the Atlanta Thrashers at Prudential Center have just been completed.
Scott Clemmensen will start his 13th game in a row for the Devils. Kari Lehtonen will start in net for Atlanta.
Here's the Devils' lineup for tonight.
Forwards: Zach Parise-Travis Zajac-Jamie Langenbrunner; Patrik Elias-Dainius Zubrus-Brian Gionta; Brian Rolston-Bobby Holik-David Clarkson; Jay Pandolo-John Madden-Mike Rupp.
Defensemen: Johnny Oduya-Paul Martin; Colin White-Mike Mottau; Bryce Salvador-Andy Greene.
Goaltender: Scott Clemmensen.
Healthy scratches: D Jay Leach, D/RW Sheldon Brookbank.
Injured: G Martin Brodeur (torn left biceps tendon).
I'm glad there is a game on tonight, My Dog is in surgery right now and I need to take My mind off of things. I really hope they pull out a w it would be great to start the road trip on a good note. welcome back Whitey!
Posted by: Shari | January 08, 2009 at 06:53 PM
Other games of importance to the Devils tonight:
Minnesota @ Philadelphia, 7 p.m.: If the Devils win and the Flyers lose, then the Devils will vault into first place in the Atlantic Division.
Toronto @ Montreal, 7:30 p.m.: If the Devils win, the Canadiens lose, and the Flyers get at least one point, then the Devils will only trail the Canadiens by one point for fourth place in the Eastern Conference.
Carolina @ Florida, 7:30 p.m.: If the Devils lose and the Hurricanes win, then both teams will have 49 points and form a tie for sixth place in the conference.
Like some of you, I would expcet Elias to play with a fire under his backside tonight. If he does, then let's hope that fire spreads quickly!
Posted by: Cornholio | January 08, 2009 at 06:57 PM
A win would be a nice way to start the road trip.
Posted by: Shari | January 08, 2009 at 07:00 PM
good luck to your dog, Shari....hope everything goes smoothly
Posted by: embo slice | January 08, 2009 at 07:02 PM
Thank You very much embo, $8000.00 well spent I hope.
Posted by: Shari | January 08, 2009 at 07:04 PM
Good luck with your dog Shari
We will see what happens tonight. On paper this should be a Devils win but we know the game is not played on paper.
Posted by: Steve | January 08, 2009 at 07:07 PM
I hope that Holik comes out banging against his old Team.
Posted by: Shari | January 08, 2009 at 07:08 PM
Thank You Steve.
Posted by: Shari | January 08, 2009 at 07:09 PM
Good solid first shift for White. Hopefully the rest of the boys push forward.
Posted by: Cornholio | January 08, 2009 at 07:09 PM
Let's go Devils! I hope your dog is alright Shari, good luck with the surgery
Posted by: Nick | January 08, 2009 at 07:10 PM
Thanks Nick, They will be calling Me about 830-900 to let me know how it went. LET'S GO DEVILS! Whitey looks pretty good yeah?
Posted by: Shari | January 08, 2009 at 07:14 PM
Looking good Rollie.
Posted by: Shari | January 08, 2009 at 07:16 PM
Put a circle around that save by Lehtonen on Rolston six minutes into the game. Thought he should have gotten the puck higher on him.
Posted by: Cornholio | January 08, 2009 at 07:16 PM
I am hoping they can draw a pp
Have some eery vibes with this team right now
Posted by: Steve | January 08, 2009 at 07:17 PM
Holy Mayhem in front of the crease.
Posted by: Shari | January 08, 2009 at 07:19 PM
Five minutes into the game and Boston already leads Ottawa 2-0. I wonder if Eugene Melnyk is ready to replace Craig Hartsburg with Pat Quinn?
Posted by: Cornholio | January 08, 2009 at 07:20 PM
I like the speed the wingers have generated so far tonight, but they need more creativity to produce higher-quality scoring chances.
Posted by: Cornholio | January 08, 2009 at 07:22 PM
At least They are not taking this Team lightly, pretty good energy to start so far.
Posted by: Shari | January 08, 2009 at 07:25 PM
Sick em Clarkie.
Posted by: Shari | January 08, 2009 at 07:26 PM
Clarkson stunned him with that punch
Posted by: Mike O. | January 08, 2009 at 07:27 PM
The Thrashers have won seven of the first eight faceoffs in this game. Not good!
Posted by: Cornholio | January 08, 2009 at 07:29 PM
"How To Botch A Three-On-One" by Patrik Elias
Posted by: Cornholio | January 08, 2009 at 07:30 PM
Yeah really, what was Patty thinking there? Time for the PP.
Posted by: Nick | January 08, 2009 at 07:30 PM
bad time for that fight, rush was on
Posted by: mike in pa | January 08, 2009 at 07:31 PM
Good news from out of town: Seven minutes left in the first, the Wild lead the Flyers 1-0.
More good news: A power play. Didn't the Rangers get one of these last night?
Posted by: Cornholio | January 08, 2009 at 07:31 PM