Thinking back and looking ahead after a memorable night at The Rock

As I sit here at the airport, bleary eyed after only a few hours sleep, it feels like a good time to reflect back on an historic night Tuesday at Prudential Center.

This was the night The Rock arrived for the Devils. They've had eight sellouts this year, equallng their total from the building's inaugural 2007-08 campaign. Other than the building opener against Ottawa -- which ended in a loss -- there was no night at The Rock that came close to Tuesday night. There was a split crowd for the playoff series against the Rangers, but Tuesday was all Devils' fans, wearing red, black, white and green -- for St. Patrick's Day. The green served as a little bit of a reminder of the team's original jerseys. 

Martin Brodeur, Patrik Elias and their teammates made sure it was a special night. Elias took care of his end of history by becoming the Devils' all-time leading scorer with his assist on Brian Gionta's shorthanded goal in the second period. The reaction of the fans, who raised their level every time Elias had a chance before that, put aside any worries that Elias' milestone would be swallowed up by Brodeur's.

As it turned out, it worked out pefectly that both lifetime Devils got their milestones on the same night. They both received the ovations they deserved.

Brodeur's 552nd victory wasn't the Devils' best effort of the season. They came out flying, but had to hold on in the third period. They got the job done, though, and Brodeur came up with one last save with his stick with three seconds remaining.

As awkward as the net cutting became, the spontaneous, unscripted postgame celebration was far better than some regimented ceremony would have been. There will be time for that before an upcoming home game -- it almost definitely won't be before Friday's game against Minnesota, though.

Brodeur's teammates lended a hand -- as the always do -- and the crowd did the rest.

Brodeur and Elias did their jobs, but the fans deserve credit for taking the night to a higher lever. As maligned as Devils' fans sometimes are, they came through big time Tuesday. So much so that Brodeur said the night topped Saturday's record-tying win in his hometown of Montreal. It would be difficult to argue with that.

***

Looking ahead, Brodeur won't play tonight in Carolina. Kevin Weekes will get his first start since Feb. 19 at Tampa Bay. Weekes has won his last five starts.

Defenseman Colin White did not make the trip after sitting out the final two periods Tuesday because he aggravated a lower body injury. Andy Greene is expected to take his place in the lineup.

The Devils have won four in a row and eight of their last nine games to pull within four points of Boston for first in the Eastern Conference,  so they can't afford a letdown tonight. They still have two games in hand on the Bruins and a huge game in Boston coming up Sunday afternoon. 

They now hold an 11-point lead over Philadelphia for first place in the Atlantic Division.

With 46 wins, they are four away from breaking the team record of 49 established two seasons ago when Brodeur won 48. With 13 games left, the team record of 111 points (2000-01) also is in jeopardy, but, remember, it was around this time last season that the Devils lost focus and couldn't find their game in time to beat the Rangers in the first round of the playoffs.

Now that the records are out of the way, the real push to the playoffs begins. This season has already been a special one because of the milestones and the way the team pulled together when Brodeur was injured. A lot of that will be forgotten, however, if the Devils don't follow up with a strong playoff run.  

***

Only a few players are scheduled to skate this morning in Raleigh. I'm supposed to get there in time, so I should be able to post an update after the skate.

FYI: You can e-mail your congratulations to Brodeur at congratsmarty@nhl.com

Comments

[Joey B]

TG Your blog is the iceing on the cake to being a Devil's fan! Not only do we have the best team in the NHL we get to follow them daily through you, we appreciate what you do and are lucky to have you, so Thanks! Also thanks for sticking up for Devil's fans, we may not pack the arena every single night, but I don't think there are more loyal fans then Devil's fans especially being stuck in an area with 3 other NHL teams trying to grab market share.

[Matt Block]

TG I was at the game last night and you couldn't have said it better. The place was simply electric. I was also at teh Opener against Ottawa last year at the Rock. They don't even come close.

This was the most amazing game I have ever seen. I am a die hard but 17000 other die hards showed up and supported this team like I have never seen or heard before. Everyone knew what was at stake which is also amazing.

Devils fans are truely some of the loudest and most involved fans of any sport when they come together. This is one of the most incredible franchises in all of sports and last night was a tribute to that.

I had goosebumps. Last nights game was probably as close to being at a Cup Winning game as you could get without actually being one. Matry and Patty deserved it and the fans let em know it.

Jamie L also beat a personal best for goal in a season which was overlooked but it isn't really at the same level as the other two.

Incredible night, incredible fans, and I am still on edge this A.M. as I am sitting at my desk drinking my coffee. (Should have taken the day off!!!)

[Zorin]

Tremendous game last night; funny how that game had so many promotions around it to sell tickets and the 4th was MB setting the all time win's record was fantastic.

So TG, back to work...who's getting the start tonight? Does Kevin W. get to see his fans in Carolina as a starter tonight?

[C$]

Great night at the rock last night! The crowd was excellent. Glad Elias broke the record last night with a sold out amped up crowd on hand to give him his deserved praise.

[Bing]

Hopefully the fans can support the team down the stretch and thru the playoffs. I live 1200 miles away and attended 1 game this year, and will try to attend a cup final game....next year trying to plan a trip when the schedule comes out. Till then I will have the lights and flags out in full support :)

[Scratch20]

Marty should change his name to "mighty Brodeur". Way to go! I was at the Rock last night too and it was amazing!
PS To those of you who came down on me a few days ago for asking why White was the only player present at the Rock but not taking part in the "optional skate" perhaps Colin's recently revealed injury had something to do with it (“It’s something that’s been hanging around for about a week and I just aggravated it,” he said.) Just saying it's a possibility. No disrespect, but just because TG isn't aware of something, it doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
Congratulations Marty, Congratulations Elias, Congratulations Zajak! And congratulations to all you fellow Devils fans out there. Let's add to Marty's, and the rest of the team's, list of accomplishments this year by getting Cup #4.

[Jacko]

That was as close to game 7 of the 2003 Cup final as any game I have been to since. I am typically pretty reserved at games but last night i was a lunatic, I just wanted to see it happen so bad. Top it off with my favorite player taking the goals record, it was a night to remember.

I hope all of the fans come out like this in the playoffs. I was embarassed last season with all the Rangers fans, lets make sure we pack the building when we fight for the Cup this year too.

[Carlos]

"Devils fans are truely some of the loudest and most involved fans of any sport when they come together. This is one of the most incredible franchises in all of sports and last night was a tribute to that"

Incredible night YES.. but Devils fans the loudest of any sport? ok now you're taking it alittle too far man

[Lets go Devils]

TG, Just how many goals have the Devils scored this year with in a minute?

[JJ]

Yes TG it is true that the team lost focus last year and it showed in their record the last 15-20 games but they really started going downhill before the all-star break, kinda like Boston has this year. This is definitely a different team, different feel. Reminds me a lot of 2000 after disappointing playoff runs the prior couple of years. Not to say that we are going to win it all because there were some great Devils regular season teams in the late 90's but this one has the balanced scoring that those teams lacked and the guys who were there last year (most of the team) have that bad taste in their mouths from the way the season ended last year so I expect them to be hungry and focused. I remember Scott Stevens expressed it well when reflecting on the '94 loss to the Rangers how sometimes you have to learn how to lose in order to learn how to win.

[Jack]

Last night proved there are a lot of rabid Devils fans who love the team.
Economics, ticket pricing and other factors unfortunatley prevent them from attending a lot of games, otherwise we fans enough fans to to get 17,625 every night. We avg around 15,500 in this economic climate which is solid.

Last night's crwod was 99.9% pro-Devil and it was one of the best night's ever to be a Devils fan.

[Lets go Devils]

I just want to know How many goals have the Devils gotten with in a minute in. I know they have done it many times this year?/

[Jason]

Well TG...A low res LED sign adorns the NHL store today. Same Sharks/Kings display in the window though. Not exactly a big to-do.

[Jason]

And that LED sign says congrats Brodeur on 552.

[KNUCKLEPUCK HEAD]

Patty definitely was not overshadowed on this night.. they showed him on the screen when we were chanting his name and he looked very appreciative of the moment. The game was going on and he almost didn't know how to react- he finally raised his hand a bit and we all went nuts !!!! And coming out with the green hat for the 3 stars recognition- just another small moment to make the night even more unforgettable !!

[MoonDragn]

If they didn't call off Patrik's goal because they blew that whistle early, he would have had the game winning goal on st. Patrick's. He got a game winning assist, I guess it was close enough. But the luck was definitely with the Devils last night.

[pando20rules]

An overlooked key to me last night to make it the special evening was none of the fans left early, which is something that usually happens. I mean NO ONE left early, and it just added bigtime to the electricity in the building.

Oh what a night.

[Ben M.]

That night meant so much to me. I'm just so proud of Marty and my favorite team. Very glad I could be there and spend that time with some great people. ..you don't even know..

The crowd was fantastic, and it gave me goosebumps for most of the night. You could even sense the "buzz" in the crowd outside the arena before the game and during warmups.

I will never forget this moment.

TG, as always, you are the best. We're already spoiled as Devils fans, but you take it to another level. Thank you.

[Carlos]

This Team deserves this kind of fans and atmosphere EVERY NIGHT... too bad new jersey's hockey market is a disgrace and no one is doing anything to improve it..

I would hate to see how attendance would be like if we were actually a mediocre team or worse.. out of the playoffs.. It scares me to even think about it

[Matt Block]

Carlos - I have been to a lot of events in my life and as I stated "When they come together" the Devils fans last night have proven they are some of the loudest and most united I have ever witnessed.

You can't compare a football stadium of 75 thousand to an arena that holds 17k lol. It is a relative argument across sports and it was so loud in there you couldn't even hear a word of the post game interview over the PA.

Of course this team deserves this every night but that isn't a reality. Most of todays devils fans are younger since we only moved here in the early 80's. It is the next generation that is going to make the difference to the NJ Devils. The kids that have grown up loving the devils and bleed devils from age 6. Most of the 30 + area fans will be from a world pre NJ. Of course there are a lot of 30+ devils fans but not nearly what you will see in the next 10-20 years when those youger kids get jobs and can afford tickets.

[Ray]

was anyone else thinking maybe marty would try for an empty netter? i wouldve fallen over the balcony.

[JPL]

I can say one thing I was there in 2003 when the Arena was physically vibrating and shaking from the crowd during game 7 and the same can be said whe Dano and Stevens had their jerseys retired. So when we come out in force yes we are just as loud as anyone else. Last night was the closest I have experienced at the Rock.

[blue-eyed devil]

How many goals do the Devils have in the opening minute this season?
5
And that's tied for the NHL lead.

Such an amazing night. I'll never forget it.

[Steve]

Carlos thats the 2nd negative comment you made about the Devils fans. Go away. Go watch your boy Henrik Lunpads try to get out of the 2nd round.

[B.C.]

It sucks being 3,000 miles away. I wouldve given up a leg to be there last night. Atleast i was able to watch it on TV i guess. Amazing!

GO DEVILS!