Devils Win 4th Straight, Defeat Penguins 5-2

by Matthew Ventolo on Feb 5, 2012 4:43 PM EST in Devils Game Recaps

For the fourth straight game, the Devils put up more than 3 goals. For the fourth straight game, the goaltending has stepped up at opportune times. For the fourth straight game, Ilya Kovalchuk, Zach Parise, David Clarkson, and Patirk Elias have at least a point.

For the fourth straight game, the Devils have won.

In their second afternoon game this weekend, New Jersey defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2. It was somewhat like yesterday's game in Philadelphia where they Devils took an early lead, continued dominance in the middle period, chased their opponent's goalie, and held on a multi-goal lead in the 3rd period. Once again the team's top players were exactly that. The defense even contributed with a goal and an assist. Martin Brodeur was excellent and came up big in the 3rd period to secure the win. He even got an assist, his 4th of the season.

I have a few mroe thoughts on the game after the jump. To see the other side of things, go to PensBurgh for their recap.

The scoring started early in the first. Parise dumped the puck in with Elias gathering the puck behind the net. He and Parise exchange passes to create space. Meanwhile, Kovalchuk comes into the zone late and find open space right in front of Marc-Andre Fleury. His pass from Elias goes 5-hole and trickles in.

Halfway through the period, Brodeur makes a save on Chris Kunitz and the puck is cleared right to Alexi Ponikarovsky. A 4-on-2 turns into an array of wonderful tic-tac-toe passing. Poni fed Anton Volchenkov, who dished it to Kovalchuk and gave it right back to A-train. In what was basically an empty net goal (Fleury had no chance), Volchenkov scored his first game as a Devil and his first in 104 games. Congrats A-Train.

The Devils were able to fend off a few Penguin rushes. Marty stopped basically everything and his defense was in good position to clear away rebounds and loose pucks around the net and in the slot.

Ilya Kovalchuk, who already had two points in the game then festered former Devil Paul Martin on a Pens power play. He stole the puck, skated to the net on the right side of Fleury for a shot. The rebound came to a chasing Dainus Zubrus who buried the rebound. The Pens went to Brent Johnson.

Add in a great play in corner by Steve Bernier in which also led to a rebound goal, this one by Zach Parise, and a David Clarkson empty netter, and the third straight game the Devils put up 5 or more. The offense is clicking once again, they are generating shots and getting goals. Using rebounds, passing, skill, while at 5-on-5 or on special teams, this team is finding ways to score. This is a versatile offense coming out of the All-Star break.

In terms of Corsi at evens, the Devils did very well considering being up the whole game. They finished the game +2. Only the 4th line and the Volchenkoc-Slavador pairing were negative. Parise was a game high +9. Attempts for the game were 48-42 Pittsburgh. Credit the Devils third period effort for this. This was not the 3rd period of the Flyers game. They learned their lesson on that. They survived a few moments where Pittsburgh had them pinned down, but the Devils managed to answer back every time. After Evengi Malkin's power play goal, the Devils tightened up and the Pens had no where to go. The last 5 minutes of the game was great situational hockey. Short shifts, cleared pucks, solid defense and good goaltending. That's what you want from your team in the 2nd half.

Kovy is in beast mode - his third straight 3-point game - he has 10 points in the last 4 games. Just wow. Parise has goals in four straight games with a total of 5. Clarkson and Parise both hit the 20 goal mark.

Overall, I'm feeling great about this team. They are now 1 point behind the Penguins with a game in hand for 3rd place in the Atlantic and 5th in the conference. They just beat the top 3 teams in their disivion. It's good to be a Devils fan.

That's all for today recap. Tell us your thoughts on the game in the comments. Thanks for reading.

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Great game, great recap as always. Here are my thoughts

1. Way to step it up against the Atlantic division this past week.
2. Zach and Kovy are killing it, particularly the latter.
3. Love to have talent on the 3rd line. I know it’s a big part of DeBoer’s system, and it’s really working. Much rather have players who haven’t reached their ceiling yet, such as Josefson, Henrique (although I’ll be happy if he moves up once the top line comes back down to earth), Bernier, etc. rather than Boulton, Carter, etc. As far as I can tell it’s contributing a great deal to the Devils’ success as of late. And ideally, it should only get better with Henrique’s return, Zajac’s imminent comeback and some moderate improvement in our young players. Exciting time to be a Devils fan.
4. Way to go David Clarkson! 20 goals! He’s playing great hockey, silencing a lot of doubters and I hope he can keep it coming.
5. Go Giants! (Sorry! Couldn’t resist!)

by Mykey24 on Feb 5, 2012 5:24 PM EST reply actions

Also,

Janssen better go on an offensive outburst, or Marty is going to bury him in their point competition!

by Mykey24 on Feb 5, 2012 5:26 PM EST up reply actions

I was with you up until that last one. Had to ruin it…

by elesias on Feb 5, 2012 5:26 PM EST up reply actions

Haha sorry man. I hope you can understand. It’s a big day for some of us.

by Mykey24 on Feb 5, 2012 5:30 PM EST up reply actions

A year ago Kevin posted The Ilya Kovalchuk Trade: One Year Later. 52% of the votes were for ‘To early to tell’. Would it be a good idea to have another similar post / poll, two years on?

Devils fan from the UK

by CD1212 on Feb 5, 2012 5:35 PM EST reply actions

That’s a pretty good idea, actually.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The New Jersey Devils SBN Blog

by John Fischer on Feb 5, 2012 5:37 PM EST up reply actions

Until the Devils win a playoff round with Kovy, I’d vote for “Too early to tell.” Or we could just look at what Cormier, Oduya & Bergfors have done for ATL/ WPG.

I have respect for most sports fans with 2 exceptions: NY Ranger fans who grew up in New Jersey, and Dallas Cowboy fans who can't name the capital of Texas.

by Cherno77 on Feb 5, 2012 6:48 PM EST up reply actions

Cant say I agree w the first part. Its not his fault what we do or dont do in the playoffs. Hes certainly a factor, but theres a little more to it than that. The second is a better measure haha.

by Chris Calabrese on Feb 5, 2012 7:09 PM EST up reply actions

Good recap

Who would have thought that in a run of four games, the one that was the second half of a back-to-back set that started at 1 PM against a top possession team would turn out to be their most decisive. The Devils started off great, they played well with the lead, and while the Penguins understandably upped their attack, it only came in parts of the game and the Devils did manage to keep them honest. The possession numbers say it all: getting a lead on Pittsburgh and finishing at +2 in Corsi is very good. The team didn’t lose their mind after either PPG; Martin Brodeur played very well both in and around the net; and they did a good job keeping Malkin quiet outside of the power plays.

The first two goals were very pretty; and I think Volchenkov’s goal was one of the best the team has scored all season, just a heck of a read by Kovalchuk and a great finish by Volchenkov. The jam plays worked at the right post for two goals. Parise was very good, Kovalchuk was fantastic, and given Elias was a +5 in Corsi, perhaps that line should stick together. While the third line was jumbled up, Bernier and Ponikarkovsky played well. I like how Foster played after a big game on Saturday. I really liked how the Devils defended the lead; much better than the Philly game.

What I didn’t like: the power plays weren’t good, the second one featured more offense from Pittsburgh than New Jersey. The team did have some dry spells on offense, but the Devils didn’t let go on for too terribly long. The refereeing was strange. Two calls on Pens after Devils goals and I’m not sure how Volchenkov interfered in the second period. Lastly: I remain not a fan of Eric Boulton. If only there was a young-ish Russian winger in Albany who can replace him…

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The New Jersey Devils SBN Blog

by John Fischer on Feb 5, 2012 5:37 PM EST reply actions

I’m not sure how Volchenkov interfered in the second period.

He skated over to the scrum along the boards and gave a Penguin a push like anyone in his situation would and should have done. Ticky tacky call, but I suppose it was interference.

I expect it was in the interest of keeping things “even”, if not a bit of a makeup call for the hold they probably should have called on Kovalchuk leading up to Zubrus’ SHG.

I find any interference call against any team playing the Penguins as only slightly less ironic than Penguins fans whining about their team being interfered with because they’re the Emperors (Penguin… see what I did there?) of interference with their constant picks, standing guys up at the blue line long after they’ve dumped in the puck, etc.

by elesias on Feb 5, 2012 5:50 PM EST up reply actions

Just wait until our 4th line is Sykora-Josefson-Bernier.

by dkball7 on Feb 5, 2012 5:55 PM EST up reply actions

that sounds beautiful. personally, i would love to see clarkson on the 4th line eventually. Bernier is a more skilled player and I think clarkson is the epitome of a solid 4th liner. I doubt pdb will agree.

by JTdevs on Feb 5, 2012 6:00 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

I don’t see a 20 goal scorer on our 4th…just sayin.

by SatanicStickholders on Feb 5, 2012 6:21 PM EST up reply actions

i hear you. im afraid the coach will agree. But when i watch Bernier and Ponikorovsky work together down low and cycle like they have been, Clarkson cant do that. His game is shooting the puck and hitting, betterfor 4th line play

by JTdevs on Feb 5, 2012 6:30 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

when i watch Bernier and Ponikorovsky work together down low and cycle like they have been

Totally agree and you can add Henrique on that line too, they were dominating their opponents almost all game long.

"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"

by Elektrostal_Kid on Feb 5, 2012 6:46 PM EST up reply actions

Definitely. Henrique, at this point in his career is better suited for that 3rd line. And Elias should stay with Kovy and Zach . Even tho Kovy doesnt cycle, he has a good give and go game with Patty and this chemistry is definitely there. They like to play together for sure

by JTdevs on Feb 5, 2012 6:57 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

the downside to putting him on that 4th line is that the “scoring” part isn’t going to be very noticeable. Much rather have Clarkie on the 3rd line and have Bernier be on the 4th line and be a not terrible 4th liner.

Hell on Ice/In Lou We Trust/Twitter
Everyone has more goals than Scott Gomez

by Kevin Sellathamby on Feb 5, 2012 9:42 PM EST up reply actions

Bernier has been pretty good since hes been up, no doubt. I am happy with him. No disrespect, but “cycling well is” not the same as scoring. It may lead to that, but until it does, Clarkie wont fall below the third line.

by Chris Calabrese on Feb 5, 2012 10:12 PM EST up reply actions

Clarkson is like the Tim Tebow of Hockey. Minus the obvious religious following, but rather in his terrible skating mechanics, his poor balance, sloppy puck handling and his awkward shot. At the end of the day Clarkson puts all of that, let’s call it “terrible” into action and makes it work out successfully. I may not like him on the powerplay, but he’s doing his job in other areas. Hard to see him getting 4 minutes a night when he has 20 goals.

"It’s not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what’s required."
Sir Winston Churchill

by La Mer on Feb 5, 2012 11:52 PM EST up reply actions

Interesting to see not everyone has quite jumped on the Clarkson bandwagon.

I’ll admit before the season began I felt Clarkson belonged on the 4th line, and he’s proven me wrong. He’s a solid 3rd liner. That he’s on pace for 30+ goals doesn’t make him a proper top-6 winger, though. I still believe he’s ill-suited to play with top players – he hangs onto the puck too long, has no backhand shot or pass, and doesn’t have enough creativity. But with linemates of Ponikarovsky and Henrique’s ilk, he may end up making the difference in a playoff series.

by dr(d)evil on Feb 6, 2012 12:04 AM EST up reply actions

Josefson started the game on the 4th line and finished on the 2nd… If Josefson ever plays on the bottom 6, it will be this season and nothing more. Looked like a younger Elias playing center tonight. He’s gonna be a stud.

But I would love to have this 4th line, that would mean we’ve got some great scoring depth. Playing on the 4th line shouldn’t be insulting anymore nowadays.

"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"

by Elektrostal_Kid on Feb 5, 2012 6:41 PM EST up reply actions

Absolutely agree. No insult intended to JJ. I think he is clerarly a top 6 center in the future. If he keeps playing well, he wont just get 4th line minutes, he’ll continue to get rewarded on the PP and PK. If the devils can roll that type of depth in the present while he “learns the ropes” on a reasonably skilled 4th line, this is a dangerous team.

by JTdevs on Feb 5, 2012 6:51 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

I do see flashes of Elias in Josefson. The kid needs to get stronger in the corners and doesn’t have Patty’s creativity, but he’ll be an excellent player going forward.

by dr(d)evil on Feb 6, 2012 12:06 AM EST up reply actions

Definitely no insult at all – just don’t think PDB will ever have Clarkie playing 4th line minutes.

by SatanicStickholders on Feb 5, 2012 10:00 PM EST up reply actions

I agree. It’s the minutes issue when has Kovalchuk playing 25-30 minutes a game. However, a lot of the team seem to be minuses. Maybe a little shakeup after we cool off would be good. When the team doesn’t play well, it gets goofy some times.

"It’s not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what’s required."
Sir Winston Churchill

by La Mer on Feb 5, 2012 11:55 PM EST up reply actions

In a perfect world, we could have a 3rd line.A and a 3rd line.B both sharing the approximatively the same ice time.

"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"

by Elektrostal_Kid on Feb 6, 2012 7:29 AM EST up reply actions

And the Devils now have a +1 goal differential. The first time this season they’ve been positive.

Take it with a grain of salt, as someone will be in shortly to point out that 9 goals “earned” in the shootout don’t really count, but since all team’s GDs are calculated by that standard I don’t put as much weight into it. Point of the matter is that they’ve finally gotten their GD into the positive, which pretty much goes hand in hand with making the playoffs.

Also of note is that this is their 21st ROW. They’ve largely closed the gap between themselves and the teams around them they’re fighting for a playoff spot with, meaning that the chance of losing a tie-breaker due to having so many shootout wins is diminishing.

Right now they’re:

2 ROWs and one point behind Pittsburgh with 1 game in hand
1 ROW behind but 3 points ahead of Ottawa with 3 games in hand
3 ROWs behind but 3 points ahead of Toronto with an equal number of games played
Even ROWs and 4 points ahead of Florida, with one more game played than they
5 ROWs behind but 5 points ahead of Washington with an equal number of games
1 ROW behind but 9 points ahead of Winnipeg with 2 games in hand

Definitely not as much of a concern as it may have been earlier in the season.

by elesias on Feb 5, 2012 5:41 PM EST reply actions

This team has a nice balance right now. 3 strong lines, and signs of progress from the 4th. Defense working well and stepping up on offense too. Two great goalies right now, and the system is working. Keep it up guys!

(PS – sorry to nitpick Matt, but there’s a couple of typos to take care of in the main article.)

by AlienDev on Feb 5, 2012 6:20 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

As an aside, you have to love the Kovy quote about him and Zach playing together “for a long time” :)

by dkball7 on Feb 5, 2012 6:57 PM EST reply actions

Kovy loves being a Devil. Everyone got to see what a great teammate he was yesterday(this is something hes proved before, but to the doubters, case closed.) and I wouldnt be shocked if when it all shook out with Zach, if Kovy doesnt help in getting ZP back.

by JTdevs on Feb 5, 2012 7:07 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

I can’t wait to revisit these comments whenever we lose one or two in a row. Laffs will B had.

by Zelepukin on Feb 5, 2012 8:41 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions

TAKE ZACH AND KOVY OFF THE SAME LINE OMG BBQ

Hell on Ice/In Lou We Trust/Twitter
Everyone has more goals than Scott Gomez

by Kevin Sellathamby on Feb 5, 2012 9:37 PM EST up reply actions

Indeed.

by SatanicStickholders on Feb 5, 2012 10:01 PM EST up reply actions

Just look to the recent Buffalo loss.

by dkball7 on Feb 5, 2012 10:03 PM EST up reply actions

Hey, where is max16s anyway?

by elesias on Feb 5, 2012 10:08 PM EST up reply actions

Under cover Rags fan?

by Chris Calabrese on Feb 5, 2012 10:08 PM EST up reply actions

Under cover Chicken Little.

by elesias on Feb 5, 2012 10:11 PM EST up reply actions

I’d say he’s a pretty overt chicken little.

Status quo.

by nyynygnjd on Feb 6, 2012 1:42 AM EST up reply actions

He probably had a text wall prepared to rhapsodize over Moose’s greatness before Philly got four third-period goals on Saturday afternoon. Once the wind was taken out of that particular sail….

by acasser on Feb 6, 2012 11:04 AM EST up reply actions

Check out the title line to the PensBurgh recap

Once again perpetuating the “Devils are boring” narrative. This season they don’t even have the 1-0 score to use as an excuse. I don’t have the stats in front of me, but i’m pretty sure 6 goals and an EN is above the league average for goals per game. As if this nonsense wasn’t old before this.

by NPSGoalie30 on Feb 5, 2012 8:43 PM EST reply actions

I didn’t take it that way. It was a boring game for them because their team played poorly for the most part.

by dkball7 on Feb 5, 2012 10:03 PM EST up reply actions

Read it further and she makes a reference to the effect of "there are times the Pens own the devils. today was not one of them.’ The writer provides a link then to demonstrate this.

Click the link. Go ahead.

Its to a game that was played in 2008. Really. That’s all you can come up with. You have to go back to 2008 to show the Pens owning the Devils. I’m speechless.

I hope were not that bush-league here.

by Chris Calabrese on Feb 5, 2012 10:03 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I was a bit meh at the write-up, but didn’t take it too negatively. This was a cool line though:

In the Pens’ last five losses against the Devils, Pens have scored only six goals. In their last 11 games in Jersey, they have scored 14 goals. Crazy numbers.

Crazy indeed.

by AlienDev on Feb 6, 2012 6:49 AM EST up reply actions

Was anyone else a little bit annoyed at Steve gushing about how amazing it was that Malkin was playing as well as he was and doing it without Crosby?

They didn’t even play on the same line together, and why is it so amazing that a really good player is playing well just because another really good player isn’t playing? And it’s not like he just said it once; he kept going on about it like it was the most unbelievable thing in the world that a guy who’s won the Art Ross Trophy in the past is on pace to do it again.

by elesias on Feb 6, 2012 7:11 AM EST reply actions

Almost sounded like he was volunteering to take him out for dinner after the game so he wouldn’t be too lonely.

I bet Malkin’s tired of the Sid stuff too. I’d be all like “WTF guys, hello? Write about a guy playing hockey?”

I’m not going to lie to you. It felt good and I’m going to do whatever is in my power possible to stay there as long as I can. - Petr Sykora on playing on a line with Elias and Parise.

by Murdoc on Feb 6, 2012 7:14 AM EST up reply actions

Ehh.

I’d rather have our announcer lauding the other guys just a little (yes, even as much as I despise the Pens and Cynthia Crosby in particular) than have the outright blatant homerism that Philly has. They spun the Rinaldo slew-foot into something much different than it actually was, and I don’t tolerate that from any announcing team.

by MyDogsNameIsKovy on Feb 6, 2012 10:15 AM EST up reply actions

I agree, but lauding is one thing; what Steve was doing was another. He seemed genuinely amazed that a talented player could play well even though a better player wasn’t playing.

by elesias on Feb 6, 2012 10:20 AM EST up reply actions

Agreed. Malkin already had 100+ point seasons and a Conn Smythe not playing on the same line as Sidney. Sounded way too surprised that he’s leading the Art Ross race right now.

by popp on Feb 6, 2012 11:43 AM EST up reply actions

it is really hard not to feel really good about this team right now, and it will only get better as guys get healthy.

I’m not going to lie to you. It felt good and I’m going to do whatever is in my power possible to stay there as long as I can. - Petr Sykora on playing on a line with Elias and Parise.

by Murdoc on Feb 6, 2012 7:12 AM EST reply actions

Yeah, so..

#NJuggernaut, baby.

by Pete's Petes on Feb 6, 2012 8:06 AM EST reply actions

Funny how a lot of us were so down in the dumps about this team’s potential as the break came around. What a difference 4 games makes. Give me a solid win (3-1 with a ENG maybe?) over the Rags and I’ll be thrilled.

I can’t wait to see what this team can potentially do when everyone comes back, and I’m loving the Poni trade as well as promoting Bernier. Definitely a better bottom 6er than others we’ve got. Just look at the potential line up we could ice;

Zach-Elias-Kovy
Zubrus-Zajac-Clarky
Poni-Henrique-Bernier
Sykora-JJ-Carter
Ex Boulton/Janssen, maybe Teddy if he comes back up

Larsson-Tallinder
Salvador-A Train
Fayne-Greene
Ex; Foster/Tao

Obviously we’ll have quite the debate with potential lines when everyone comes back, but on paper that’s a pretty solid line up.

by skly27 on Feb 6, 2012 3:18 PM EST reply actions

Seriously, this lineup blows my mind.

by undersuspicion426 on Feb 6, 2012 3:58 PM EST up reply actions

sorry…Your line-up is awful…sorry again

"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"

by Elektrostal_Kid on Feb 6, 2012 4:11 PM EST up reply actions

what lineup would you suggest?

"Its the letter D"

by Rory B. Bellows on Feb 6, 2012 4:57 PM EST up reply actions

Well well well

What I expect from Pete Deboer:

Parise-Elias-Kovy
Sykora-Zajac-Zubrus
Poni-Henrique-Clarky
Bernier-Josefson-Boutlon

What I really like to see once healthy:

Parise-Zajac-Henrique
Kovy-Elias-Zubrus
Poni-Josefson-Clarkson
Zharkov-Carter-Bernier/Zalewski

But I’ll keep my mouth shut about putting Kovy back to his natural position since he said he would love to play with Parise for ever.

"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"

by Elektrostal_Kid on Feb 6, 2012 5:59 PM EST up reply actions

Obviously I forgot someone in my line-up : Sykora on the 4th line wing, Zharkov/Bernier/Zalewski RWers

"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"

by Elektrostal_Kid on Feb 6, 2012 6:29 PM EST up reply actions

I actually like that line up.

There is nothing quite as satisfying as out running security after you've punched out a Flyers fan!
"I was in the moment, and the moment said smack you." - Bruce Willis

by slackdog_rm on Feb 6, 2012 6:59 PM EST up reply actions

Imo, clarky should never play on the 2nd line, yes he’s scoring a lot of goals right now, but he’s average or even below in all other aspects of the game, I’m not bashing, he’s a great goal scoring 3rd liner.

Then Zubrus is a RW or even a C at time but not a LW.

Last but not least Janssen and Boulton, really ?

But I don’t want to be offending with skly27, this is just how I personally see it :)

"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"

by Elektrostal_Kid on Feb 6, 2012 7:21 PM EST up reply actions

I made Janssen and Boulton extras because I don’t see them going anywhere. Lou and DeBoer have shown too much love for them, and I don’t think, barring trades, either will be moved off the roster. It’s not my choice, I’m just bowing to what has been the trend this year.

Zubes can play (and has at various times) played LW, and I don’t see who he couldn’t again.

Clarky can potentially play 2nd line, but yes he’s definitely a 3rd liner at heart, albeit a great one.

But all this can be addressed since I had written that we can squabble when the time comes about the potential lines and such. I was looking more to just get out all the names we’d have on the roster. But being able to argue over different names for the same thing (namely a great line up on paper) is a great problem to have.

by skly27 on Feb 6, 2012 8:50 PM EST up reply actions

I like that line up because:
- the first line is un-godly.
- the second and third lines have more than enough talent to score and everyone is big enough and tough enough that no one is getting pushed around.
- the fourth line will make any other fourth line it comes across its prison bitch
- I would take Boulton because there will be games when you will want him in there, for example the Rangers and the Flyers.
- Zubrus is a left shot, plus I believe he would play LW if he was asked.

There is nothing quite as satisfying as out running security after you've punched out a Flyers fan!
"I was in the moment, and the moment said smack you." - Bruce Willis

by slackdog_rm on Feb 6, 2012 10:02 PM EST up reply actions

so we would play Kovy RW and Zubrus LW…

"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"

by Elektrostal_Kid on Feb 7, 2012 11:12 AM EST up reply actions

Kovy is among the team leaders in scoring playing “out of position” and Zubrus is one of those guys that can play anywhere on the ice. I’m pretty confident if they asked him to play defense he would be willing and would be able to do a decent job. It’s also easier to ask a player to play his “off” wing if that happens to be the side that he shoots from, it is a more natural transition then asking a Right-handed shot to convert to left wing.

There is nothing quite as satisfying as out running security after you've punched out a Flyers fan!
"I was in the moment, and the moment said smack you." - Bruce Willis

by slackdog_rm on Feb 7, 2012 11:22 AM EST up reply actions

This has been the best this team has played all year in the past few games. Let’s hope they keep it up.

There is nothing quite as satisfying as out running security after you've punched out a Flyers fan!
"I was in the moment, and the moment said smack you." - Bruce Willis

by slackdog_rm on Feb 6, 2012 6:51 PM EST reply actions

Kovalbeast and Friends

Beast mode is the right way to put it. It’s becoming apparent that Kovy thrives on success and confidence. He can be streaky in that sense, but you can see his passion when he makes the game-changing goal. Arms up, face aglow, ampkng up the crowd and his line.

Not merely content to score and keep the train rolling, Kovy seems to relish in big goals AND great play as a team. I still want to send my thanks to Jacques Lemaire for, I think, getting through to Kovy about teamwork and two-way play.

Kovy’s play reminds me of someone else who may have a more natural inclination for it: Zach Parise. They’re both consummate professionals and expert hockey players, but Zap has always showed the intensity and passion that GMs, coaches, and fans die for.

Seeing Zach much less frustrated in post-game interviews is a relief.

Don’t get me wrong: there are others. Elias’ physical play in the past week shows the kind of grit you don’t always see in the seasoned European playmakers. Cheers to him for putting it on the line.

But, Kovy and Zach are integral to the future of this franchise. They’re kicking butt and having fun out there. Awesome stuff. I hope they can translate their passion to a few people in particular. This season: Zajac, Henrique, Josefson, and Zubrus. (Clarkson and Elias don’t need it). Long term: Palmieri, Tedenby, and other young’uns who have slipped a bit.

"Smart guy, that William Shakespeare."

by Alan Wright on Feb 6, 2012 10:09 PM EST via mobile reply actions