It's time for Week 7 of Devils Ups and Downs. The Devils went 2-2 over the last 7 days with one incredibly rage-inducing loss (Which thankfully, no one saw because of all the Crosbymania). Regardless, here's who made the biggest impacts and who regressed the most.
Biggest Gains- David Clarkson
Okay, maybe it's time for me to stop complaining about him. He's simplified his game alot and it seems to be working. I haven't seen nearly as many Clarkarounds as I have before. He's doing a good job passing the puck and providing solid physical play. He's also not fighting- which is excellent because the way he's playing, him spending 5 minutes in the box.
Also, I'd like some Ketchup with my Crow please.
Biggest Losses- Nick Palmieri
He might have had a two goal game on Tuesday vs Boston, but after Kovalchuk returned, he was pretty much relegated to 4th line duty on Saturday and scratched for Rod Pelley.
Goalies |
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Notes |
Martin Brodeur |
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MB has been the difference maker for the Devils since his return. That and he's the only Devil who seems interested in playing the full 60 minutes (see what I did there? *crickets*) |
Johan Hedberg |
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Moose will see some action- but with Brodeur's solid play over the last week he's likely only going to see action when the Devils have Back-to-Back games. Also needs to stop playing the puck |
Defense |
Trend |
Notes |
Mark Fayne |
He didn't have a lot of trouble with Seguin, Vanek or Stamkos, but was beaten by those team's other lines as well as Florida's top line. If he continues to play this inconsistently I hope Urbom or Gelinas replace him. |
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Mark Fraser |
Could see action with Volchenkov's injury. | |
Andy Greene |
About the same defensively and contributing offensively. Which is exactly what the Devils re-signed him to do. |
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Adam Larsson |
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With the slight increase in games in November, fatigue is catching up to Larsson- he looked pretty out of it against the Sabres. Regardless, he's finally finding his offensive games- with two assists in the last two games and 5 points (1 G, 4 A) in November. |
Bryce Salvador |
Hasn't been bad or good in general. |
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Henrik Tallinder |
Like Salvador, he hasn't been noticeable in a bad way or a good way. |
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Anton Volchenkov |
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His play was decent this week, but the team really missed him on Monday. For all we know he could be back Tomorrow with a full cage. |
Forwards |
Trend |
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Eric Boulton |
Could be back soon. Or not. |
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Ryan Carter |
He's been great- he's just got to cut down on the dumb penalties. |
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David Clarkson |
See: Biggest Gains |
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Patrik Elias |
Not sure if he can get any better or any more consistent. Had a 7 game points streak snapped and comes back with 4 points in the next three games. |
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Adam Henrique |
He's holding his ground, he just hasn't scored since the Hurricanes game. Does look dangerous and hungry though. |
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Cam Janssen |
He Drew a Penalty. That's probably the only contribution he'll have this season, and since he really can't get any worse... |
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Jacob Josefson |
Still out until February. |
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Ilya Kovalchuk |
Since returning from Injury, he's got 2 goals and an assist. Looks like he's back to 100%, |
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Brad Mills |
Not good or not bad. About the same. |
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Nick Palmieri |
See: Biggest Losses |
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Zach Parise |
Has been much better this week, but he does have a tendency to disappear at times. He could really use Zajac. |
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Rod Pelley |
He got into a game. Did nothing, however |
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Petr Sykora |
Continues to work well with Elias and Zubrus |
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Mattias Tedenby |
He’s been playing great, he’s just yet to capitalize on it like Clarkson has. |
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Travis Zajac |
He's skating, but no new updates from TG or Chere. |
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Dainius Zubrus |
Killing Penalties and facing tough competition, all while still providing some solid offense. |