Madden happy to end goal drought in 4-1 win over Montreal

Devils center John Madden spent quite a bit of time in the trainer's room after tonight's 4-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens.

Madden claimed it was no big deal.

"I just took a shot off the foot," Madden said. "I just wanted to ice it down before anything else happens. There's nothing wrong. I actually did radio (postgame) and went right there. I didn't realize you guys were still waiting for me."

Madden had quite a few people waiting for him becuase he snapped his 24-game goal drought by scoring on a 2-on-1 with Mike Rupp at 11:11 of the second period. It was his first goal since Oct. 22 against Dallas ended the second-longest goal-less streak of his career.

Madden picked the top right corner with a wrist shot from the right circle, beating goaltender Jaroslav Halek high to the glove side to give the Devils a 3-1 lead. After the puck went in, Madden slapped his stick on the ice a few times in celebration.

"It's a good feeling," Madden said. "I've had some chances. I missed some in Dallas (on Wednesday). I had one seemed to be an easy empty-netter and it rolled off my tape and hit the side of the net when I stole it off (Stars goaltender Marty) Turco. And I had some chances before that. I rung some pipes in Detroit a few other times. It's been a slow go of it, so it's good to get that out of the way and, hopefully, I can continue to contribute in that manner."

Madden credited Jay Pandolfo with making the pass that created the odd-man rush.

"Jay Pandolfo made a great play," Madden said (as Pandolfo walked by). "He took a look over his shoulder and threw a crisp pass on his backhand we were off to the races. We had a 2-on-1 from about five feet inside our blue line, Ruppy and I. I came down and saw a lot of room there. I thought the goalie was cheating towards Ruppy a little bit and made a decent shot."

Jamie Langenbrunner also broke a 10-game goal drought in tonight's win as the Devils bounced back after a disappointing effort in Wednesday's 4-2 loss in Dallas.

"I had a good feeling," said Devils coach Brent Sutter, who issued a challenge to his team in a closed-door locker room meeting following Wednesday's game. "I trust that group inside the room. There are times in a year where coaches are going to challenge their players. That's just the way it is. That's the game. That's sports. That's my job as a head coach. I had tremendous confidence in the guys and how they responded."

With tonight's win, the Devils climbed within two points of the Rangers for first place in the Atlantic Division and are at least temporarily tied with Philadelphia for second in the division (the Flyers are playing in Anaheim tonight.

Although it's only Jan. 2, the Devils know the importance of being at the top of the division.

"We want to be there," said right wing Brian Gionta, who scored the Devils' first goal tonight. "We want that home ice. We want to win the division."

***

The Canadiens were missing a host of players because of injury, including goaltender Carey Price, captain Saku Koivu and left wing Alex Tanguay. But they didn't get any sympathy for the Devils, who were still missing goaltender Martin Brodeur (torn left biceps tendon) and Colin White (upper body) tonight and dealt with their own rash of injuries in late October and early November.

"I don't think anybody was feeling sorry for us when we were going through that situation," Sutter said. "Injuries are part of this game. They have been and always will be. We understand that for the team that have injuries it does have an impact on what he makeup of your team is, but we weren't even thinking about that. We were just focusing on making sure we played well tonight."

Comments

[mikeschoenf]

Great game all around. I know madden says he is ok but I hope this doesnt turn into one of those "I woke up in the morning and it was too swollen to put my skates on". Otherwise solid night and it was good to be there. So much different then going to a Devil/Ranger game. I actually enjoyed talking to the Canadien fans.. Civilized people who just love hockey.

[Grey Fox]

Good Point, mikeschoenf. It was a great crowd tonight and I was surprised by the amount of Habs fans there. I saw that shot that madden took off his skate. I hope its not much. He seemed to be favoring it a little for the rest of the period.

[mikeP]

I think the media once again is giving out classified information. Madden should be diagnosed with lower-body injury, lol

good win after lousy effort against Dallas. It's funny how the $Ranger$ had such as good head start but now they could fall all the way to 3rd or even 4th in the division if Pitt gets hot. How's that big contract working out for you, Mr Gomez?