NJ Devils Notebook: Devils, Brodeur Shutout Flyers, A-Devils Hit Wall
By Mike Stamas
Nov 7, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New Jersey Devils right wing Cam Janssen (25) gets congratulations from right wing Damien Brunner (12) after scoring goal against the Philadelphia Flyers during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. The Devils defeated the Flyers, 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
If you are like me, you woke up this morning smiling. You then shut your eyes, only to jump out of your bed in disbelief because you realized it wasn’t a dream. Cam Janssen actually did score in last night’s Devils’ game. It wasn’t some cheap tap in either.
After last week’s stinker, the Devils rebounded and returned the favor to the Philadelphia Flyers.
Adam Henrique (5) got the scoring started early in the first period, by deflecting Eric Gelinas‘ point shot by Ray Emery.
Nov 7, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New Jersey Devils right wing Cam Janssen (25) celebrates his goal with defenseman Adam Larsson (5) and center Ryan Carter (20) against the Philadelphia Flyers during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. The Devils defeated the Flyers, 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Henrique’s fifth goal of the year leads the team.
The Devils kept the struggling Flyers in check all game, taking the crowd out of it in the second period. The frustrated Flyer’s fans boo’d the home team pretty much all game.
In the third Philadelphia came out strong, but their resistance was met by Martin Brodeur, who kept them off the score sheet.
The knockout blow came a bit later when recently called up tough guy Cam Janssen came in on the forcheck.
Flyers’ defenseman Andres Meszaros was given a big, clean hit that knocked him off the puck and to the ice. The loose puck was collected by Ryan Carter and given to the point where Adam Larsson looked to put it on net. On the way in it was Janssen who kept his stick on the ice and deflected it past Emery for his first of the season.
Jaromir Jagr (4) would go on to add an empty netter with 1.3 seconds left in the game to seal the deal.
The win marked shutout number 122, and 12 against the Flyers for Martin Brodeur, who seems to be coming around after a soft game in Ottawa.
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Nov 7, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers left wing Michael Raffl (12) skates with puck against New Jersey Devils defenseman Eric Gelinas (22) during the first period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Gelinas continues to impress and be the shot in the arm this team needed from the back end. The bad news is that late in the game he was struck in the foot by a Scott Hartnell shot. He left the game and would not return.
According to Tom Gulitti, Gelinas was walking around with crutches after the game. This morning however, was walking without them and is considered to be a “game time decision”. I would look for Mark Fayne to step in tonight for Gelinas given the quick turn around.
An encouraging sign for Devil fans is that Mattias Tedenby looked better than he has earlier in the season. He had two breakaways that he couldn’t finish on, and drew a penalty. Still he has a lot to do to prove to Pete DeBoer that he can play in the line up when everybody is healthy.
Although Brodeur earned a shutout last night, tonight the team taps Cory Schneider, as he looks to turn his season around. The young guy has been out played by the old veteran so far this season.
Tonight will be the first game David Clarkson plays against his former team.
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A couple weeks ago I highlighted the good start the the AHL affilate, the Albany Devils had to their season.
Since then the team has cooled off after a hot start. They are losers of the last four games and now sit at 5-5-1. This could be a result of the NHL Devils needing to call some players up. The team lost Eric Gelinas, Jon Merrill, Keith Kinkaid, and Cam Janssen.
Scott Timmins and Joe Whitney are still operating at a point per game pace through 11, but have cooled off. Top forward prospect
Credit To: Albany Devils Flickr
Reid Boucher has been starting to heat up more, now has 3 goals, 4 assists.
A major disappointment has been 2012 first round pick Stefan Matteau. In 10 games he has recorded just one goal, and is a minus-3.
A big loss was Kinkaid, who has had a great start to the season thus far going 2-1-1, but putting up a GAA of 1.97 and a save percentage of .912. Maxime Clarmont has been impressive as well during his brief call up from the ECHL has only a loss, but has a GAA of 2.00 and a save percentage of .923. Scott Wedgewood has played a lot more than the other two for different reasons, but he sports a 3-3 record with a 2.71 GAA and a .855 save percentage.
The Albany defense has taken a huge blow losing arguably their two best in Gelinas and Merrill. Corbin McPearson has played better since the departure of the two top prospects, currently leading the defense with a plus 1 rating. Brandon Burlon has to step up and show he is a real prospect and ready to challenge for a spot in the upcoming seasons.
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Credit To: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
A reminder that tonight’s game is the yearly “Hall of Fame” game held every year in Toronto. Devils great Scott Niedermayer will be among those being inducted into the Hall of Fame this year, so he’ll be honored before the game. Game time scheduled for 7:30, will probably be closer to 8PM, according to James Mirtle of the Toronto Sun, due to the ceremony.
Here are some of my top Scott Niedermayer moments to hope we can get a win for him.