Game 81 GameThread: Devils @ Ottawa Senators

by John Fischer on Apr 9, 2009 7:29 PM EDT in Devils Games

New Jersey Devils at Ottawa Senators, Apr 9, 2009 7:30 PM EDT

Next Game

Thursday, Apr 9, 2009, 7:35 PM EDT
Scotiabank Place

Opposition Blog: Silver Seven

Your expected starting goaltenders:

	GP	MIN	W	L	T	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
NJD - Martin Brodeur	29	1689	17	9	3	2	69	2.45	815	746	.915	5

VS.

	GP	MIN	W	L	T	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
OTT - Alex Auld	42	2385	16	18	6	7	99	2.49	1109	1010	.911	1

For updated information right up to the game, check out Gulitti and Chere. With Elias as a gametime decision, I highly recommend it.

I'll be jumping into the comments for the last time this regular season. Please join me in discussing the game and anything going with either team. Please keep it clean and Go Devils!

UPDATE: Elias is playing and so is Pierre-Luc Leblond Latourneau! He was called up and so he will play. Bobby Holik and Mike Rupp will sit; so those of you who felt that Holik should see the bench, you'll get what you want!

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1-0 Ottawa

Jarkko Ruutu on the rebound. It comes right to him and with enough space to poke a corner.

Not a good start.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!

by John Fischer on Apr 9, 2009 7:45 PM EDT reply actions

I think NJ is waking up a bit

There was an actual series of good passing and a shot (of sorts) on net. So far, the best chance came from Elias, who took a long pass and nearly got one on one with Auld – with the short side shot being stopped.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!

by John Fischer on Apr 9, 2009 7:54 PM EDT reply actions

DIVE

I mean penalty. A Senator fell – Colin White, it appears, will go to the box.

The game was opening up and both teams started with some strong chance (though the less said on Zajac’s deflected shot on the 2-on-1, the better).

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!

by John Fischer on Apr 9, 2009 8:00 PM EDT reply actions

OK, perhaps it wasn't a dive.

It’s still 2 minutes in the box for him. Jay Pandolfo killed the first 10 seconds.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!

by John Fischer on Apr 9, 2009 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Devils kill the penalty

Aided by Paul Martin fighting admirably as the seconds died out to win possession.

The Devils look better now than they did in the first 10 minutes. But that and $1.25 gets you a 20 oz. bottle of Pepsi from a vending machine. But it’s a silver lining in the cloud so far.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!

by John Fischer on Apr 9, 2009 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Ottawa committs an infraction on offense

And the Devils will spend the next 2 minutes on the PP!

Chris Neil hooked Dainius Zubrus. A good time as any to tie it up.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!

by John Fischer on Apr 9, 2009 8:09 PM EDT reply actions

And they won't

The Devils couldn’t keep the puck in the zone for more than 10 seconds at a time. Not much done on the PP, which is a shame.

NJ is losing on the basis of a rebound – but the concern should be that the Devils have yet to respond strongly against Ottawa. It’s got to come in the second period.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!

by John Fischer on Apr 9, 2009 8:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Mike Foligno has skill

He just dazzled the crowd (and, uh, me) with a cross-over and drops it through his legs for a pass.

But the Sens couldn’t do much with it AND they get caught for too many men on the ice. Do better, Devils!

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!

by John Fischer on Apr 9, 2009 8:31 PM EDT reply actions

1-1 Devils

It wasn’t on the power play (much better possession, Greene nearly coughed up a breakaway), but it’s a goal anyway!

Brian Gionta redirects a hard pass from Brendan Shanahan and it beats Auld! 1-1!

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!

by John Fischer on Apr 9, 2009 8:34 PM EDT reply actions

2-1 Devils!

AULD BURNED OFF THE PUCK!

Auld just casually leaves the puck behind the net, and CLARKSON TAKES IT! CLARKAROUND – DENIED! Loose puck goes to Rolston – AND IT’S EASY!

What a big mistake! What a break for NJ!

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!

by John Fischer on Apr 9, 2009 8:35 PM EDT reply actions

4-on-4 hockey now

Colin White and Chris Neil get too rough with each other, trade punches with gloves on, so the refs give both of them roughing minors.

This should open things up a little more for NJ – already 10 seconds in Zubrus and Gionta make a good play and force a stop by Auld

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!

by John Fischer on Apr 9, 2009 8:46 PM EDT reply actions

Colin White caught hooking

White’s had a good enough game but the penalties may be costly. the Sens would like a late period goal to make up for Auld’s error.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!

by John Fischer on Apr 9, 2009 8:59 PM EDT reply actions

Signs of a good kill

When the best scoring chance comes from the PK unit and not the PP unit. Granted, Ottawa had some bad luck by pass hitting a fallen stick; but the Devils are holding up well.

Overall, the Devils have done much better this period. Not just because of the goals; but they are winning battles, getting more chances in general, and Ottawa is settling for more shots directed at Brodeur instead of trying to beat him.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!

by John Fischer on Apr 9, 2009 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh. And the Devils will start the third with a power play – Ottawa caught tripping in the dying seconds. A perfect chance to get that important third goal.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!

by John Fischer on Apr 9, 2009 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Paul Martin

After the PP ended (at most a post was hit and it was close), the Senators get sprung for a breakaway thanks to Martin’s stick breaking! But Martin hustles back, causes enough delay for Brodeur to just knock it away.

My point is that Martin is having a good game – between plays like that and generally being steady in own zone.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!

by John Fischer on Apr 9, 2009 9:27 PM EDT reply actions

Jarkko Ruutu

He doesn’t just have a goal – he’s also in the box for hooking.

The Devils PP has been sketchy all night; some rushes lead to nothing, but when they set up, they get something good off. I think they just need to slow down a bit in their approach.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!

by John Fischer on Apr 9, 2009 9:33 PM EDT reply actions

Shanahan ROBBED

A loose puck, Auld is sprawled out on the ice, the defense is lost, and Auld’s glove just denies Shanahan from an easy goal!

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!

by John Fischer on Apr 9, 2009 9:34 PM EDT up reply actions

BOOOOOOO

Rangers win 2-1. They will go to the playoffs.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!

by John Fischer on Apr 9, 2009 9:38 PM EDT reply actions

Who cares?

We likely will enjoy seeing them get bent by Boston anyway.

I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!

by R_Adragna on Apr 9, 2009 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions

I wanted Florida in the playoffs

More importantly, I wanted the Rangers to crash out in favor of Florida.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!

by John Fischer on Apr 9, 2009 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions

But here's the amusing part, John.

Every “expert” was hailing the Rangers as the Kings of the East after that rapid start. Now, they’ll likely be an 8th seed with the potential of being bounced early. As much as I wanted Florida, at least we’ll get to see Our Slutty Older Sisters sh** the bed in the first round while hilarity ensues.

I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!

by R_Adragna on Apr 9, 2009 9:52 PM EDT up reply actions

True.

The Rangers get to go through the buzzsaw that is Boston. Something tells me the Post isn’t going to have much to say by, say, the last week in April.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!

by John Fischer on Apr 9, 2009 9:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Usually it's the Daily News that I frown upon.

That’s due in part to their love-fest with the Rags and giving the others no credit. Not to mention the lack of a beat writer for the Devs with comprehensive coverage.

At least the Post has a Devils beat writer plus comprehensive coverage of the team.

I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!

by R_Adragna on Apr 9, 2009 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions

But that beat writer is Everson.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!

by John Fischer on Apr 9, 2009 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah he's not that impressive but still.

If I can explain, I’m a steadfast Met fan who goes to the Post for coverage b/c the Post is usually a Met paper. I think the DN is pro-Yanks all the way.

That said, Everson’s no Chere or TG.

I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!

by R_Adragna on Apr 9, 2009 10:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Devils clinch Atlantic; Daniel Alfredsson is in the box for 4 minutes

Devils have a chance on the PP yet again. Maybe Auld won’t rob the Devils this time?

Doesn’t matter Devils clinch the division with Philadelphia’s failure to their fans AND to the league (now the Rangers are in)

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!

by John Fischer on Apr 9, 2009 9:40 PM EDT reply actions

Come on you Devils

Seriously. How about some solid shots here. 90 seconds left to make this unhappy crowd even more unhappy.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!

by John Fischer on Apr 9, 2009 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions

It doesn't happen

Greene clips Phillips going for a puck. It doesn’t matter if it’s accidental; it’s tripping. Big PP opportunity wasted and the Senators still have a shot at an equalizer. 4 on 4 for a minute than it’s a PK

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!

by John Fischer on Apr 9, 2009 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions

2-2 Senators

After an absolutely nuts series of events where the Senators hit the post; missed a shot on Brodeur’s flank, and Heatley buries a blind dish to the slot.

The price of not getting that third goal. While the Devils may have the division, a win would still be desired.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!

by John Fischer on Apr 9, 2009 9:58 PM EDT reply actions