As I said in the preview to this game, I was expecting the Devils to have a great game from start to finish in this one. That is just what we saw on Tuesday night when the Devils crushed the Dallas Stars 4-0. It was Martin Brodeur’s third shutout in his last seven games as he stopped all 28 shots the Stars could throw at him. His best work at securing the shutout was a marvelous save where he came across the crease and stopped a one time shot from Mike Ribeiro. Travis Zajac finally got off the schnide, netting a goal in the second; it was his first goal in twelve games. Patrik Elias had himself a great night, getting two goals himself as he creeps closer to John MacLean’s goal record.
The first period saw zeros on the board for the majority of the twenty minutes until Patrik Elias got his first goal of the game. It was the Stars inability to clear the puck out of their zone that made this goal possible. Rookie Jamie Benn got tangled up at the blue line and Brian Rolston took advantage of his mistake, shooting the puck on net and Elias was right in from of goaltender Alex Auld to tip it in (18:02 into the first period from Rolston and McAmmond). It’s good news when the Devils get a lead and take it into the second, as they are 15-0 when leading after the first period.
The Second period has been a kind period for the most part to the Devils recently and tonight would be no different. Patrik Elias continued his scoring trend as he made the game a 2-0 affair. He came on the ice after the penalty he committed was up. While on the same shift he got the puck, skated it up ice on a 2 on 1 with Langenbrunner, but made the right choice in shooting it, and it went in high, blocker side on Auld (6:59 into the second unassisted). Shortly thereafter was when T-Jac got the elusive goal he has been looking for, on the power play no less. It was a slap-shot that was low off the ice by a mere few centimeters and cruised through Auld’s five-hole (9:36 into the second from Langenbrunner and Bergfors). The second period onslaught would continue as the Devils were just playing outstanding all around hockey on this night. The most pure goal scorer we have decided to add his hat to the ring as well. Zach Parise would get a perfect pass from Jamie Langenbrunner, taking no time at all he buried it high to the glove side (15:07 into the third from Langenbrunner and Zajac).
No scoring would be had in the third period, but the Devils did not let up as they played hard the whole way through tonight. Martin Brodeur would make fantastic saves when he needed to, to get shutout number 106 and the Devils would get points 60 and 61 against a Stars team that is seventh in the league in scoring. This was an all around great game from Jersey, I would have to really nit-pick if I were to find anything wrong about this game because it was an excellent way to bounce back from what I felt was a flat mini-road trip. Next up for Jersey’s Team will be a Tampa Bay Lightning team that has played us very close this year, however, the Devils came up on the right side all three times so far (all have been one goal victories). It will take place at 7 EST at the Prudential Center and points 62 and 63 will be on the table for the Devils taking.
In some side notes, I was wrong in saying Bryce Salvador would not be playing against the Stars. He surprised me in playing in the game and he had 14:24 of ice time at an even +/-. I found it interesting that the Stars decided to go with Alex Auld instead of Marty Turco, but he is slated to get the next start against the Rangers.
| THREE STARS | ||
| 1st Star | 2nd Star | 3rd Star |
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