This is where things get dicey. The Devils failed to get a point in Toronto last night where they faced a team that was struggling just as much as they were. Not only that, they almost failed to get a goal. The one goal that the Devils scored was a deflection off of Dainius Zubrus’ skate. To make matters worse, Martin Brodeur left the game after the second period saying that his arm is not fully healed. He flew back to New Jersey after the game to get it examined. Mike McKenna has been called up to be Johan Hedberg’s back up for tomorrow’s game in St. Louis.
Saturday and Monday’s games could determine the rest of the season if the Devils fail to get a win in either game. Saturday, they go to St. Louis to face a team and a goalie that are off to a great start. After that, they return home where they have no played well at all to face the powerhouse Capitals. Last time they met, the Capitals defeated the Devils 7-2 in a game which saw Anton Volchenkov take a slap shot to the face and Pierre Luc Letourneau Leblond receive a suspension and play his last game as a New Jersey Devil (for now).
Help still may be on the way. Injured players have been hurting this team since the beginning of the season but we may see them returning soon. Anssi Salmela has been skating and practicing as he is ahead of schedule. His estimated return around Christmas but he seems to be way ahead of that. Upon his return, the Devils can send Olivier Magnan back to Albany. Magnan has played alright but still needs more time in the minors. Having Salmela back in the lineup gives the Devils someone with NHL experience as well as some offensive upside to a defense that has little to none. Matt Taormina shouldn’t miss too much longer either. When he heals, he would most likely replace Matt Corrente who still does not look very solid. Having Taormina and Salmela back will add offense to the blue line as well as some experience. Although Taormina is a rookie, he sure was not playing like it.
On offense, the Devils wait for Jamie Langenbrunner’s stiff neck to heal. I don’t see how the Devils could send down Alex Vasyunov or Mattias Tedenby so it seems that Stephen Gionta would be the odd man out.
Enough speculating, it’s gotten us nowhere from the summer up until now.
The Devils know how important it is to win Saturday and Monday. They held a players only meeting after the loss last night which was something that was long overdue.
I have been one to keep positive throughout the season so far. I firmly believe that if the Devils do not win either one of their games coming up on Saturday and Monday, the season might be lost.
And just to give my answer to some banter circulating the internet this morning, John MacLean will NOT be fired. This is not his fault and people really need to take a step back and evaluate the whole situation before just blindly blaming the coach. The Devils underwent countless changes over the summer. There are TWO defenders in the starting six right now that were starting last year; Colin White and Andy Greene. Volchenkov and Tallinder are new, Mottau and Martin are gone, and Magnan and Corrente are rookies. On offense, this is Kovalchuk’s first full season as a Devil and he has yet to have set line mates. The Devils lost Brian Rolston to an injury, Zach Parise is out until February, and they are now playing games without their captain. The situation handed to John MacLean is not an easy one at all. I invite you to PLEASE tell me ONE coach that would have excelled in this situation. You can’t.
In an amusing turn of events, a guy named Scott called me yesterday from the Devils’ main offices. He claimed he was reaching out to the hardcore fans to get some feedback on our opinion on how things are done at the arena and throughout the organization. It really in the end was a ploy to sell their new ticket packages… but boy did I let him have it! I’m thinking of whether I should make a transcript of the conversation for your enjoyment. Let me know!
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