One Timer

I’ve been slipping on my weekly updates lately.  My job has taken over my life.  I need an extra hour in my days.  On to the current happenings in the NHL.

THE GOOD:

-Rick Tocchet won his first game as interim head coach of the Lightning after the firing of Barry “The Mullet” Melrose last week.  The Bolts are finally starting to put the puck in the net, which is the one thing most people thought they WOULDN’T struggle with this year.

-The NHL finally realized “fan voting” for the All-Star game wasn’t working out quite like they planned and did away with the automated votes certain Habs fans had been submitting for half of the Habs roster.  The results look slightly more believable now than they did two weeks ago — even if the entire starting lineup would be Canadiens if the voting ended today.  The site also has a CAPTCHA in place now to prevent any other

-The Devils figured out how to win games with someone besides Martin Brodeur in net.

-In other goaltending news, Roberto Luongo is a monster.  After having his shutout streak last week snapped, Luongo gave up only 3 goals to the tri-state area in games Monday and Wednesday, and looked absolutely unbelievable.  I absolutely love watching him.  The Canucks have also been strong offensively, as the return of Pavol Demitra on a line with the Sedin twins has been nearly unstoppable.

-San Jose’s record as of today is 17-3-1.  Just….wow.

THE BAD:

-The above mentioned Luongo was injured in the Canucks game against the Penguins yesterday.  There won’t be further updates until tomorrow, but it appeared to be a left groin injury, and it didn’t look good.  This would be a major blow to the Canucks if he is out for any major length of time.

-The hockey gods give and then taketh away.  The Devils were finally starting to get “healthy”, and are now without John Madden, who bruised his foot in a game against the Panthers on Thursday, and Mike Mottau, who was suspended for two games for a hit on Islander forward Franz Nielsen Friday night.  One of these days the Devils will have the team that took the ice back on October 10th back again.  Really.

-Third jerseys are ugly.  90% of the time.  Excluded from this list are those teams using throwback jerseys, and St. Louis and San Jose.  Everyone else, you’re on notice.  I’m looking at you Atlanta.

-Brendan Morrow was lost for the season this week with a torn ACL.  The comeback for the already struggling Stars just got a whole lot harder.

THE RIDICULOUS:

Sidney Crosby with another goal from the seat of his pants earlier this week.

Patrik Elias had a great week for the Devils, including this gem.

Not to go Devils heavy, but how about this fight between Bryce Salvador and Tim Jackman?  Jackman took a few stitches in his face between periods.

Have a great week everyone

I had a plan this week, folks.  I was going to live blog a game that didn’t involve my beloved, yet awful, Devils.  First, I planned to follow the Islanders/Canucks game on Sunday.  Roberto Luongo! YAY!  As it turned out, that game was actually Monday.  Eventually I’ll figure out what day of the week it is.  So, plan B: I decided to bring you the Rangers/Canucks game last night.  Even more Roberto Luongo! YAY!  (Have you noticed a theme yet?)  Then my job and the Project From Hell (TM) sucked out my soul.  I fell asleep approximately 12 minutes after the game ended, and was lucky I stayed awake through the entire game.  But man, did I enjoy watching “King Henry” pull himself.

It’s the little things in life.

ANYWAY, third time’s a charm.  Tonight, I shall bring you a live blog of a way less exciting game between the Devils and Panthers!  I can feel your enthusiasm from here.  The Devils are coming off of a big shootout win Saturday against the Capitals (which I was in attendance for and I’m fairly certain took 3 years off my life), backstopped by none other than Martin Brodeur Kevin Weekes Scott Clemmenson?!  Sigh.  Clemmer will be in net again this evening, leaving me to yell out WEEEEEEEEEEKEEEEEESSSS in agony every time he does something stupid.  I’ll try to spare you my pain.  This is a big one for the Devils, as they are looking to build up some momentum at home before heading out on a road trip leading up to Thanksgiving.

I won’t lie to you, I know nothing about the Panthers except that David Booth has been playing lights out and both goaltenders have been pretty stellar this season, though I expect we’ll see Vokoun tonight.  They’re 7-9-1, which is better than I would have expected but only good enough for last place in the Southeast.  Just the kind of team the Devils love to lose to.

See you for the opening faceoff!

6:55 PM: I forgot about Jay Bouwmeester.  He’s pretty awesome too.  Too bad for the Panthers he’ll be gone by the trade deadline.

7:01 PM: It’s been a month since the Devils won back to back games.  Now would be a great time to break that trend if they intend to prove to people they AREN’T simply “Martin Brodeur & a bunch of other dudes who play hockey”

7:08 PM: Fun fact: I have an undying hatred for Stan Fischler.

7:11 PM: Strong start for the Devils (I like saying that). Zach Parise shoots about 3 feet too high after some extended Devils pressure.  Please don’t start shooting like Jamie Langenbrunner, Zach.

7:14 PM: Bouwmeester just did one hell of a job defending Zach Parise.  Like 4 times.  Lou, are you watching?  GO AFTER THIS KID.

7:15 PM: Jason Cullimore still plays in the NHL? Really?  I didn’t get that memo.

7:17 PM: Devils going on the power play, which Mike Emerick is nice enough to remind the viewing public is 1 for its last 15 tries.  I love me some crappy special teams.  Prior to that Jay Pandolfo shot harder than I’ve ever seen him shoot before.  Good stuff.

7:21 PM: Nice pass up-ice by Scott Clemmenson on the power play.  This is not a sentence I ever thought I’d type.

7:23 PM: Power play over.  Dainus Zubrus missed a rebound attempt at a wide open net.  Same old, same old.

7:26 PM: Florida’s first real chance of the period.  Good stop by Clemmenson.

7:28 PM: Nicklas Bergfors has clearly been watching David Clarkson’s wraparounds.  He fails of course.  I still like what I see from this kid, though.

7:35 PM: Bryce Salvador just got nailed in the back of the head with an unidentifed Panther stick.  Devils power play again.

7:47PM: I had unexpected company arrive.  Obviously, I am not meant to live blog.  To sum up the end of the first: The Devils power play sucks, terrible penalty call on Colin White, about 20 seconds to go in the Florida power play at the start of the second.

8:08 PM: Florida’s played much better this period, Devils’ look a little more sluggish.  Why yes, I am only half watching.  The best laid plans.  John Madden appeared to just take a shot off the leg and sort of gimped through the rest of his shift.  I grow sad.

8:10 PM: Patrik Elias puts one past Vokoun with a beautiful move.  1-0 Devils.

8:13 PM: Clemmer stops a great play by Booth, and Madden’s back on the ice.  I can breathe a little easier.

8:22 PM: Jason Cullimore appears to be hurt.  One of his own guys fell on his right leg — that didn’t look good.  Legs shouldn’t bend that way.

8:27 PM: Parise has been unfortunately snakebitten that last few games.  Also, Scott Clemmenson has been playing really well tonight.

8:28 PM: Shots on goal this period 10-1 in favor of Florida.  Devils with the one that matters.

8:31 PM: 1-0 Devils at the end of the second.  ThankyouScottClemmenson.  Add that to the list of things I didn’t think I’d be writing tonight.

8:52 PM: Devils are coasting a little too much.  May come back to bite them later on if they don’t pick up their energy level.

8:55 PM: Hey they listened! David Clarkson to Paul Martin who puts a shot right past Vokoun.  2-0 Devils.

8:57 PM: That. was. awesome. Gionta, to Elias, back to Gionta, and nothing but an open net awaits him.  3-0 Devils.  1:02 between the goals.  The Gionta/Elias/Zubrus line has been fantastic tonight.

9:01 PM: Elias takes an unfortunate high-sticking penalty.  The Devils penalty kill makes me really nervous.

9:04 PM: And that’s why.  Frolick’s first-ever NHL goal (the Devils really like giving those up), 3-1 Devils.

9:07 PM: Florida hasn’t won a playoff game in 10 years.  That’s just unfortunate.  Granted, they also haven’t been IN the playoffs very much, but that’s a whole different story.

9:17 PM: Chico Resch has a huge man crush on Zach Parise.  Oh, right, the game.  The Panthers will probably pull the goalie soon.  Or now.

9:19 PM: Times like these I want Bobby Holik and his huge frickin’ unibrow back.  Huge faceoffs in the defensive zone.

9:20 PM: Ok, enough digs at Clemmer.  He’s been absolutely awesome tonight.  Huge save again there.

9:23 PM: That’ll do it.  3-1 Devils.  Solid performance all around (minus the second period, perhaps) and a big win.

I promise this isn’t turning into a Devils blog.  The injury situation has just gotten too absurd to not talk about.

I know what you’re thinking — isn’t just over a month into the season a little early to be talking about recaps?  Shouldn’t I wait until at least mid-season, or even the playoffs?  Well, in a normal season, I would agree with you.  But this season has been anything but normal for the New Jersey Devils.

The Devils began the season with a lot of promise — Brian Rolston and Bobby Holik were brought on board to help the team in many of the areas they struggled in last year (power play, face offs, etc.).  The young defensemen had a season of experience under their belt.  Martin Brodeur was poised to break the career wins and career shutout records.  Perhaps this would be a different team than the team that struggled mightily to score all season last year.

Things looked okay for the first 2 games — the Devils opened up the season with wins against the Islanders and Penguins, then dropped a game against the Rangers.  But it would be a 1-0 shutout win against the Thrashers on October 16th that would become indicative of the Devils season.

I wish I could say this was because the Devils stopped giving up goals.  That would be a lot more fun.  But they have not been quite so lucky.  After netting his first goal of the season in the second period of the game, Brian Rolston wiped out and fell awkwardly into the boards, suffering a high ankle sprain.  He has yet to return to action.

Let’s take a look at what’s happened since:

October 18th:  A 4-3 shootout victory against the Capitals.  Bobby Holik is hit in the hand with an Alexander Ovechkin slapshot that obliterates his pinky.  He has surgery the following week.  In the span of 2 games the team is suddenly the exact same team as last year, with the addition of two rookies.  Devils fans grow restless.

October 25th: A 3-2 overtime loss against the Flyers (complete with smoke bomb!).  Rookie enforcer Pierre Luc Leblond had several run-ins with Riley Cote during the game (and the course of the weekend home-and-home).  At some point during the second game, he broke a bone in his face.  Now our replacement players are starting to drop.  Things begin to look grim.

October 29th: A 6-5 shootout loss to the Maple Leafs.  Early in the game, Andy Greene breaks his hand after being hit by a Pavel Kubina slapshot, but continues to play the rest of the game (and put up 3 assists! A career high!  This would be even more exciting if he was still playing today!).  He also required surgery and won’t be back until sometime in December.  I begin to think perhaps I shouldn’t have laughed at the absurd level of the Flyers’ and Penguins’ injury woes earlier in the season.  Bad karma or something like that.

November 1st: A 6-1 victory over the Thrashers.  Halfway through the second period, on a seemingly innocent save, Martin Brodeur is slow getting up, and seems to grab at his arm.  The entire hockey fan community of New Jersey gets nervous.  On the scramble in front, as play heads out of the Devils end, Marty simply does not get up, now clearly holding his arm.  Devils fans begin to hyperventilate.  Vigils are held as 3 very long days pass awaiting news.  Antidepressant prescriptions among hockey fans in the state of New Jersey triple when the Devils announce Brodeur will be out three to four months to have surgery to repair a torn distal biceps tendon.  I try to take comfort in this photo. (H/T 2MA)

November 3rd: As the Devils community reeled over the loss of Brodeur, Paul Martin quietly didn’t show up to practice, due to the annoyingly vague “upper body soreness”.  He, also, hasn’t played since.  But no, this isn’t ridiculous at all.

The Devils lost 2-0 to Buffalo in rather pathetic fashion that evening.  In the first period of the game, Patrik Elias got nailed in the face with a puck.  He, thankfully, returned later in the game.  When he first got hit, I’m fairly certain most Devils fans were ready to forfeit and try again next year.

November 8th: The Lowell Devils visit the defending champs, losing 2-1.  Brian Gionta gets absolutely hammered into the boards, leaving the game with what appeared to be a head/neck/shoulder injury.  Bryce Salvador would leave the game late in the second after taking a John Madden shot off the back of the foot.  I joked about taking bets on who would get hurt next before the game.  I’m so sorry, Brian and Bryce.  Really.

November 9th: Despite both players assuring the media they were going to be ready to play, Gionta and Salvador did not dress for the Devils’ game against the Oilers.  The Devils call up defenseman Jay Leach and left wing Patrick Davis from Lowell.  (All together now Devils fans: WHO?!).  Their top forwards in Lowell, Matt Halischuk and Rod Pelley, are both on the IR as well.

At several points during the game last night, the Devils played a line composed of entirely rookies: Petr Vrana, Nicklas Bergfors, and Davis.  At one point, they had 5 Lowell Devils on the ice at the same time.  It was rather unfortunate to watch.

Additionally, 8 minutes into the game, Mike Mottau got hit in the face with a puck.  WHILE HE WAS ON THE BENCH.  Mike Rupp deflected the puck out of play and right into poor Mottau’s face.  He collapsed and was helped to the locker room, but luckily for the Devils, was back for the second period.

So for those keeping score at home:

Brian Rolston (high ankle sprain)
Bobby Holik (broken pinky)
Pierre Luc Leblond (broken orbital bone)
Andy Greene (broken hand)
Martin Brodeur (torn distal biceps tendon)
Paul Martin (”upper body soreness”)
Brian Gionta (head/neck/shoulder)
Bryce Salvador (foot)

27 man games lost BEFORE this weekend.  That number must be higher by now.  And yes, folks, its only the first week of November.

I have two words for Brent Sutter and the rest of the Devils’ coaching staff:  BUBBLE WRAP.

Trying something new around these parts: a live blog! Tonight’s game will bring us the ailing Lowell New Jersey Devils (backstopped by Kevin Weekes instead of Martin Brodeur) against the red hot Buffalo Sabres and league-leading scorer Thomas Vanek.  Should be….interesting.

I promise I won’t always blog Devils games, they’re just the Versus game this week!

7:07 PM: So for those keeping track at home, the Devils are down Marty, Brian Rolston, Bobby Holik, Andy Greene, Paul Martin, and Pierre-Luc Leblond (I’m not even going to try to spell his full name).   Just a full line a forwards, a full defensive pair, and arguably the best goaltender in hockey.  No big deal.  I’m not worried at all.

7:10 PM: So it begins.  Madden and Pandolfo reunited with David Clarkson for the first time in a week or two.  Wonky defensive pairs for the Devils.  Kevin Weekes is 2 games from his 100th win.  Meanwhile,  Ryan Miller is leading the league in goals against average.

7:14 PM: The Versus crew is kind enough to remind us that these two teams played into overtime and beyond every time they met last year.  Hope you’re ready to go the distance!

7:16 PM: The difference in the size of the injury reports makes this Devils fan sad.  Great save by Weekes, though!

7:18 PM: Devils are having some trouble in their own end, and it finally pays off for Buffalo in a power play after a mad scramble in front.

7:21 PM: Penalty killed.  At the 9 minute mark, the shot count is 11-1 in favor of the Sabres.  Kevin Weekes is keeping this thing under control for the Devils.

7:24 PM: So, obviously, the logical move for the Devils here is to go down a man again.  Good job, guys.  Some pushing and shoving after the whistle but no one wants to fight David Clarkson.

7:26 PM: Kevin Weekes with an AMAZING left pad save on Thomas Vanek, and Vanek gets called for a hook on the ensuing  play.  4-4 for a minute and then about a minute of power play for the Devils.

7:33 PM: Weekes with a big stop on Connelly.  He continues to be the center of attention this period, as the Devils haven’t put any extended offensive pressure on the Sabres yet.

7:36 PM: If the Devils continue taking penalties and not playing defense they aren’t going to win.  Just saying.

7:40 PM: Killed the penalty, and then took a too many men on the ice penalty about 20 seconds later. Kevin Weekes with a great save right at the start.  Oh, wait, now its a 5-on-3, thankyouJohnnyOduya.

7:43 PM: Well, that was going to happen sooner or later.  On their 20TH SHOT OF THE PERIOD, Jason Pominville one-times it right past Weekes after the 5-on-3 expires.  The Devils still only have 3 shots.  It’s a miracle the Devils are getting out of this period only down 1 goal.

8:03 PM: Let’s see if the Devils actually play hockey this period, shall we?

8:04 PM: Good to see Ryan Miller IS actually in the house tonight!  Finally, some extended pressure by the Devils, punctuated by a nice loud CLANK!

8:07 PM: Gionta goes off for tripping and Afinigenov goes off for diving, and we’re 4-on-4.  I still don’t really understand calling both penalties at the same time, but that’s a rant for another day.

8:09 PM: That 4-on-4 looked an awful lot like a Buffalo power play.  A couple of scrambles and great saves by Weekes, but penalty time is up.

8:14 PM: The Devils just registered their 5th shot! How exciting.

8:19 PM: Devils with a good chance to take some control of this game, as Tallinder takes a hooking penalty.

8:23 PM: Great power play for the Devils despite the lack of finish.  4 shots and the first signs of offensive life we’ve seen all game.  Hopefully they’ll pick up some momentum.

8:25 PM: Craig Rivet to the box for a crosscheck to Jamie Langenbrunner.  The Devils are starting to buzz a little bit.

8:29 PM: Buffalo’s penalty kill is stifling.  Great effort by the Sabres there.  The pace of the game has shifted a bit, though, as the Devils finally seem to have gotten their legs moving.

8:35 PM: Another Sabres penalty, to Lydman this time, for hooking.  The Devils have had sustained pressure for the last few minutes and have forced the Sabres to take some penalties.

8:39 PM: End of the second.  Devils have about 40 seconds of power play time left to start the third period.  They outshot the Sabres 12-5 in the second.

8:56 PM: Third  period has begun! As a random aside, Ryan Miller is really, really skinny.

8:58 PM: Carry over penalty over.  Pretty lame power play attempt, but the Devils are going right back on the power play after some great work in the corners from Zach Parise.

9:02 PM: And nothing to show for it again.  The Sabres penalty kill is ridiculous.

9:06 PM: Versus is interviewing  Shaq.  I care….not at all.  Nor do I understand his relevance to this game.  Maybe I would if I listened.  Oops.

9:08 PM: The Sabres get a clean offensive zone faceoff win, followed by a rocket from the point and a perfect deflection from Patrick Kaleta right past Weekes.  2-0.

9:10 PM: Important power play for the Devils, a delay of game call of Ryan Miller.  Both Miller and Sabres coach Lindy Ruff are not pleased.

9:12 PM: Another Buffalo penalty - Thomas Vanek for  hooking.  21 seconds of a 5-on-3 for the Devils.  If they want to get back in this game, now is the time.  Time out called by Brent Sutter.

9:16 PM: Devils just can’t seem to finish tonight.  Power play over.

9:21 PM: The Sabres defense is REALLY good.  I didn’t pick this team to make the playoffs.  They’re making me feel rather foolish.

9:24 PM: Weekes is out already, just under 3 minutes to go.

9:26 PM: This is just a LITTLE insane.  Devils completely dominating and completely unable to bury one.  Weekes STILL on the bench.

9:28 PM: And that’ll do it.  Back-to-back shutouts for Ryan Miller, as the game ends at 2-0.  The Devils can’t really expect to win playing the first period like they did.   You have to give Kevin Weekes major credit for keeping it close.