Progress wasn't enough for Devils tonight

Devils coach Jacques Lemaire thought his team played better in tonight's 3-2 loss to the Rangers than it did in losing 5-2 to the Flyers in their season opener on Satruday.

There was still a lot of room for improvement, though.

"Yes, there was progress. No, it was not enough," Lemaire said. "There are a lot of things that have to go well for a team to win. First of all, everyone has to be on the same page. We talked about last game having long shifts. It was a lot better today. We only had one and they scored on it.

"After being on the same page and being together, it is to be sharp. I just feel right now that we lack a bit of confidence. I can say that because I see the top the top players, sometimes, they do make a lot of plays, but to make more plays. Chances, we sometimes miss. We were a little tight."

The Devils are off to an 0-2 start for the first time since 2001-02. They begin a three-game road trip Thursday night in Tampa Bay. If they don't find a way to win that game against one of the worst teams in the league last season, the Devils might find themselves in a deep hole.

Saturday's game in Florida won't be an easy one and after that comes a date with Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals at Verizon Center.

"It's definitely not the way you want to start," captain Jamie Langenbrunner said. "You don't want to start 0-2 by any means. I think we've done some good things. We're growing and we're making growing mistakes as far as questionable decisions at tough times, but I think you're going to have those when you have a whole new lineup. It's something we have to get through pretty quickly. We have a tough road trip coming up here that we need to get some points out of." 

{Follow this blog on Twitter at http://twitter.com/TGfireandice}

*** 

The long shift that Lemaire referred to preceded the Rangers' winning goal, which was scored by Matt Gilroy. Lemaire had a line of Jay Pandolfo, Rod Pelley and David Clarkson on before that. Clarkson and Pelley were on the ice for a full minute before the goal. Pandolfo's shift lasted a whopping 1:43 leading up to the goal.

Lemaire said the line "had their chances" to come off the ice.

"They probably felt that they were fine," he said. "They stayed longer and they got caught in our end. They couldn't get out and they got tired. When you're tired, you don't react as well. You don't play as well."

Lemaire also thought the team took some untimely penalties that derailed the Devils' momentum in the first period.

"We started the game and everything was fine and we started taking penalties," he said. "The type of penalties that we got I don't think it helped to sustain our intensity and the work that we put in at the start and that's the reason that the top line played over 20 minutes. This is a lot for forwards, especially the way these guys are playing. They're on the puck all the time, they skate and they don't stop."

Zach Parise played 19;26. Jamie Langenbrunner played 22:44 and Travis Zajac played 22:45, which was more than anyone on the team other than defenseman Paul Martin, who played 26:26.

Pelley played only 5:19 and had only one shift after Gilroy's goal. In fact, his line with Ilkka Pikkarainen (6:41) and Andrew Peters (4:01) only played one shift in the third period as Lemaire cut down to three lines to get more offense.

Langenbrunner agreed that the Devils were undisciplined. The Rangers had four power plays in the first period and six in the first 32 minutes of the game and scored two power-play goals.

"We took too many penalties, penalties that came at bad times, unnecessary ones," he said. "I'm sure that we're going to hear about it and we did hear about it. We've got to be smarter. There's a time and place for everything and we know that and I think we'll learn from that."

***

Lemaire thought goaltender Martin Brodeur played, "much better" than in the loss to the Flyers.

"He was more solid today, no doubt," Lemaire said.

There was some question about Gilroy's winner, which beat Brodeur between the pads.

"I don't know if he fanned on it or something, but he didn't shoot it as hard as I thought he was going to shoot it and it just found it's way through me," Brodeur said.

Gilroy had a lot of time to shoot the puck and pick his shot because of a nifty play by Marian Gaborik. Chris Drury's pass from left circle appared intended for Gaborik between the circles. Gaborik either lifted his stick to let it intentionally pass under or touched it a little to get it over to Gilroy.

"I don't know if Gabby saw me at the last second or just lifted his stick and tapped it to me," Gilroy said. "I was wide open in the slot and got a good shot off. [Brodeur] came acorss with his knee weird and I was just able to slide it underneath. I don't know how I was open in the middle of the slot. I think everyone was focused on the forwards and I just came in on the backside."\

***

I ran into defenseman Mark Fraser tonight after the game and he said he is feeling better and has been working out off the ice and skating on his own. Fraser took a hard punch to the jaw from Daniel Carcillo in a preseason game in Philadelphia on Sept. 24.

***

Finally, there had been a photo of Lou Lamoriello and Brent Sutter in Prudential Center press room almost from the day the arena opened nearly two years ago. It was from Sutter's intraductory press conference in July of 2007 and Lamoriello and Sutter were laughing in it.

Given this team's track record in similar cases, I expected the photo to be gone when we returned for training camop this season, but it wasn't. In fact, it was still there for the season opener on Saturday. But, it was gone today.

Either someone with the WWE took it on Sunday or the Devils finally took it down.

Comments

[Mark]

This team had no jump, no fire, and no urgency, yeah its only game 2 but still, you have to play with some emotion when you're playing your biggest rival... this game had no flow...
I seriously worry about this team, it's missing a lot... and for a team that cant score they did nothing to improve, these kids are not what its going to take to win...

[modnarm]

i'll never forget Lemaire's words.. "the problem is the kids" . YUP!

[Puckster]

Why are people bashing "the kids"? The only player that can be considered a "kid" that was in the lineup tonight was Bergfors and he played fine. Corey Murphy is no kid. He's in his 30s and older than Paul Martin. Pelley is the same age as Parise and has almost a full NHL season under his belt. Pikkarainen is in his late 20s. Etc...

[iamtheprodigy]

modnarm, that makes no sense at all. First of all, you're taking that quote completely out of context. He was saying it was a good kind of problem, that there were more good kids ready to play than they expected, and it was a tough decision to pick who to cut. Second of all, the team's struggles has nothing to do with the kids. Bergfors has been one of the better forwards and Pelley has been fine despite getting very minimal ice time. Pikka isn't really a kid but he was put out there in some tough spots in his very first NHL game and did his best so you can't fault him very much either.

[iamtheprodigy]

By the way, thanks TG for the usual excellent coverage today. Hopefully we can hear some more of your personal thoughts about the game, but we've got a few days before the next game so there will be plenty of time to chat.

[patiently waiting]

how bout the two on one with the saucer pass from bergfors, and oduya YOU GOTTA STICK THAT ONE MAN

[Pearl Jammed]

my only problem with Pikaranian was the penalty he took, I thought it was a bad call personally, but you can't blame the refs for the loss, its a team sport and the team lost it as a team, but the officiating was definitely not at its best

[rangerssuck]

If we dont beat tampa then ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh boy we r in trouble. Tamba should be atleast a 4 goal game for us, then on to Florida which will not be an automatic win. Then its on to Washington and well if we play like this consider that a HUGE and i mean HUGE LOSS. We need atleast 4 points out of this road trip.

[Rico Suave]

lemaire is using a system vastly different than sutter and it's going to take time to adjust. sutter wanted his defensemen to play a defensive game, and did not utilize them much in starting the rush or making offensive plays for that matter. when in the defensive zone, the dmen would chip the puck or make short passes to the wingmen along the boards. from their it was the forwards who would break into the offensive zone, play an aggressive and make plays down low. lemaire is requiring our dmen to make long break out passes or carry the puck through the neutral zone. once in the offensive zone, we are trying to move the puck to the points to setup rebounds up front. i have never seen paul martin have this much of an offensive role in his career. just like any new coach/system, it will take time to adjust.

i agree these games have been difficult to watch, especially in our own end. i cannot recall when the devils have looked so out of position in their defensive end. We seem to be scrambling for the puck, losing position, double teaming men, and leaving players wide open. we've lost some bad games in the past years, but as a fan i don't think we are used to seeing these types of defensive mishaps.

as a goaltender, it's difficult to be in the proper position when we are playing so sloppy in our end. brodeur has let up some soft goals, but he will need time to adjust to the new system as well.

the bottom line is that our team is going to need time to build chemistry. lack of chemistry is going to cause a cycle effect leading to poor performance offensively, defensively, and in goaltending.

let's look at the positives:
-zubrus. he's been one of the best players on the ice this season, and has a fire that i have not seen in him before. he's been a beast on puck, has been breaking to the net, and has been shooting for the first time in his devils career.
-clarkson has greatly improved his skating ability, and is clearly taking a more offensive role on the team. i thought his no look pass tonight was paraise for god sakes.
-bergs has been playing hard and looks like an nhl'er, something that i questioned prior to the season. i'm looking forward to see his development throughout the season.
-we are seeing our defense take a greater offensive role than the past several years
-elias, one of our most important players is not even playing yet. once we get him back our team will greatly improve both defensively and offensively. we will also have much greater line depth.
-paraise, zajac, and langs have not lost a step from last year. i understand they have not produced much, but their individual talent is still there. they just need to spark that chemistry again, which will come in time.
-(update)don't know how i forgot about neids, i've been extremely impressed with his play so far. has been a great replacement player for madden, bigger in size, good instincts, great defensive play

ladies and gentlemen, it might be hard to watch some of these games, but let's have some patience with this team. remember how terrible we played our first month with sutter but we able to turn it into a 99 point season? let's just be easy and let the devils learn the new system.

[Siikonen -FIN-]

I would never consider this option...until now.

I'd say we let Marty sit this next game out. He's been completely unreliable so far. Too early to tell? Sure. Too early to discipline poor performances? Never.

He may be an all-star and future hall-of-famer, but Lemaire needs to lay down the law and show that no one is guaranteed.

Give Danis a shot.

[RickyM2]

This organization is in deep trouble. These werent just "2 losses" we were owned twice by divisional rivals. When they werent beating us, we were beating ourselves. Maybe things will turn, but we need to start getting wins, or we wont see a post season. Also, I honestly think Marty has no gas left in his tank. Give marty 2 more games. If he gives so much as ONE MORE SOFT GOAL, then Lou has to sit him. He didnt keep us either game for 1 period. We are weak in the crease. I know he is a HOFer, but that was from the days when Compaq and AOL were also good stocks. The past is the past. Yes, its only 2 games, but we might have to endure 68 more games of his 70 game season.

[nnjrules]

I didn't see the game, heard somw on the radio. I am not worried, way too early to do that. I would shake some things up though. First thing is put clarkson on a line with parise, let him ride shotgun and give those guys some room to skate. Nobody should be taking shots on our ace, he now has a target on his back and other teams will try to focus on him. Clarkson on his wing will open things up. Its not that langs is playing bad, but I feel clarkson will give that line some much needed toughness. Langs is good enough to play with any line. He would be an ideal winger for neids and hellisuck( too hard to resist). When patty comes back I don't wanna see pikka in the line up again if he doesn't improve. Consider this a 10 game tryout, show something ot take a hike.
Can anyone find out what was the earliest date gen lou made a trade in season? I would kill to gét bieksa, bomb of a shot, don't take no sh*t from anyone and is just nasty, maybe we can get wellwood too.

[Frankie D]

I'm with you Siikonen.... Versus played a clip of Lemaire talking about how Marty decides when he will play and when he will sit (meaning never). At some point, that has got to stop. I understand he is a HOF goalie and the face of the franchise, but if someone isn't playing well, you gotta sit.. I don't care who you are. Play the hot hand... and right now, Marty isn't hot. In fact, he is darn cold. If Danis stinks, then go back to Marty. But let's not have Marty make all the decisions on when he will play, please. He is not the coach.

[RickyM2]

we're the only team still playing in pre-season gear. anyone who thinks we're overreacting should get center-ice. watch where the rest of the nhl is. the tempo is in high gear. i'll go as far as to day, that the devils are playing with the lowest intensity out of every team ive been watching. its a disgrace. im thinking to call up my friends who are islander fans, and give me tips on how to deal with a declining team.

[RickyM2]

The only thing we were missing this week were the Christmas color jerseys.

[Puckster]

At least some people are being more positive. There's no need for doom and gloom. If Marty didn't give up the softies in the first two games, we'd have at least three points right now.

[rangerssuck]

lol too bad it`s not preseason because we were pretty darn good lol. But this team better step it up because we cant just keep saying its only one game, its only two games, its only 1 week, its only 1 month etc. Gotta step it up!!!!!!

[TG]

I think the Devils didn't play a great game tonight, but to say they had no jump is not accurate. The Rangers had to use their timeout about a minute and a half into the game because the Devils had already scored one goal and were all over them.

The Devils' problem was the penalties they took. It completely derailed their game in the first period. That they came out of that first period tied 2-2 was not a good sign after the way they started.

Then, the Rangers really settled in and made things tough for the Devils, particularly in the third when they were protecting the lead.

It's only two games, so you shouldn't get carried away, but if they don't win the game in Tampa Bay, they could be 0-5 in the blink of an eye.

I find it entertaining that people want to bench Brodeur two games into the season.

Also, I added above that I ran into Mark Fraser today and he's feeling better and has been working out and skating on his own.

In addition, I included something about the photo of Brent Sutter that disappeared from the press room today.

[Zorin]

I think when the Devils are really hungry and want to win, they make it happen. You saw that in the first goal...what happened after, I'm not sure. YES, we know they want to win, but something was up for most of the game. Maybe with half a line up of Pando-like offensive players, this is what things will be like for a while..Bergs is invisible, Pelly is nubbish, and Pika isn't threatening.

TG, what do you think of the PP? And why doesn't Murphy shoot more? He's out there so much for that, we all know it's not his size. Guy looks my lawn gnome with a jersey on.

Maybe ZZ Pops needs to mixed up a little and possibly revisited? Zajac still LOVES getting thrown around out there like a Rag Doll. Hit the GYM, TZ! He's making good money, maybe 2 trainers are needed.

[Frankie D]

TG, it's not about benching Brodeur 2 games into the season. This extends back into last season when Brodeur was struggling towards the end of the season. It's time to be accountable. It shouldn't be automatic that Brodeur starts every single game anymore. I've been calling for this since last season. I think it is ridiculous that a player is deciding when he will or will not play (as Lemaire suggested in his interview on versus). That is the coach's job.

[Zorin]

I agree 100%, Frankie D.....The coach needs to make that choice, not the player. 3 goals on 15 shots against the Flyers...now tonight's game, which was better. Calling for him to get benched is ridiculous, but JL needs to tell MB30 when he needs the night off..not the other way around.

[goon5516]

my one problem of the game!! drury goes intentional/ unintentional knee to knee (posssible season ending injury) with martin!!! oduya defends him and gives him a few shots. drury skates to the box slams his stick on the ice almost hits the linesman in the head. THE RANGERS GET A POWER PLAY!!! in a 2-1 game and score 20 secs later and i still dont know what oduya got 4 mins for. even though our PP isnt the greatest but how the FUDGE are we shorthanded after that play? i am fudging puzzled!!!! bench peters put pando on 4th line and bring back shanny for wing on the 3rd line until elias comes back. how are we playing pando on the 3rd line and forcing shanny into retirement?????? please help TG

[Zorin]

Maybe Johnny O popped open a zit on Drury's honker. You ever see that beak; it looks like an albino sweet potato. :O)

[Nanoose]

Oduya could have easily gotten an instigator penalty for his ambush of Drury. The Devils were lucky he was only assessed four minutes in penalties on that play.

[TG]

I didn't see that interview, but, how do you expect Brodeur to find his game without playing?

I will say that I think they should find a game for Danis early in season to get him going, too. They shouldn't let him get stale because that will make it tough for him when he does start.

But, it's been two games. The team has two days off before the next game. Sitting Brodeur next game (unless it was pre-planned to start Danis) would be a complete over-reaction.

And Brodeur played all the games down the stretch because they felt that was the best way for him to get through that lull that all players experience when they come back from a lengthy injury. He had been off for nearly four months, A lot of times a player will play very well initially when coming back from an injury like that and then go through a lull. The only way to get through it is to keep playing.

People want to blame him for the last goal of Game 7 against Carolina and that's fine. But, the truth is, he played very well in that series. That's easy to forget because of the way the series ended, but he wasn't the only one to blame.

I guess I really don't know what you're trying to achieve. You want to sit Martin Brodeur to teach him some kind of a lesson for giving up some bad goals? His long track record of consistency doesn't count for anything or give you any kind of confidence that he's going to be all right over the long haul?

How would you expect Brodeur to react to this?

Is that what you want?

That's not accountability. That's ssking for trouble.