The Devils come into this week having only three games left before the NHL’s trade deadline: @ Dallas on Tuesday, @ Tampa on Thursday, and @ Florida on Sunday.
This may be the most important week of the season (where have we heard that before?). If the Devils slip at all, Lou Lamoriello will have to think about being a seller at the trade deadline. If the team keeps up it’s streak, the team will most likely stay as-is. There’s no reason to mess around with the chemistry in the locker room right now.
The Devils defeated the Carolina Hurricanes three times over the course of just over a week. New Jersey earned six points and only gave Carolina one in an overtime game. There were also wins in Toronto and at home against the Rangers and Sharks in that span as the team is rolling on a seven game winning streak and a 15-1-2 record in the last 18 games.
The rough week made Carolina fans look hard and low for ways to cheer each other up….
That picture was taken during the 2009 playoffs… but it is appropriate for the current situation.
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Jamie Langenbrunner is still talking.
According to a New York Post article, Jamie Langenbrunner feels like he was unfairly singled out in a situation that led to his trade from New Jersey back to Dallas when he began.
He refused to elaborate on what he thought was going on but he said he feels like he is being painted as the bad guy. Although his former teammates spoke very highly of him at the time of his departure, it seems as if it was just the professional thing to do. There has been a lot of evidence that lead to Langenbrunner being a negative influence in the locker room. Ever since he and Lemaire did not see eye to eye in last season’s incident in Carolina, Jamie fell into a complete tail spin.
He has also admitted that his heart wasn’t completely in it this year. It was reported that he was asked to waive his no-trade-clause in training camp; he refused. After that, he wondered what he was playing for and how hard he should be playing given the team’s situation. The turn of events in late December until the present are more than a coincidence. John MacLean was replaced by Jacques Lemaire, Jamie Langenbrunner was traded to Dallas and seemingly replaced by Nick Palmieri, and the Devils are on a 15-1-2 streak. Langenbrunner has also not been setting the world on fire in Dallas.
I’m not sure the players miss this face in the locker room:
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While everyone has been thinking that the Devils have to catch the Carolina Hurricanes to get into the playoffs, it might actually be the Rangers they have to catch. The Rangers are currently playing some bad hockey. Chris Drury is missing a considerable amount of games and on Sunday Marian Gaborik left with a concussion during a 4-2 loss to the Flyers.
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Hedberg or Brodeur?
Marty Brodeur is ready to come back. Does Lemaire go with the hot hand and leave Hedberg in net? Or does he go with the future hall of famer that hasn’t played in a few weeks. Brodeur’s comments make it seem like he is waiting to play and wants to immediately, but the Devils have to stick with Hedberg. Moose is playing great in between the pipes.
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Valentines Day was last week… what did you guys do for it?
Travis Zajac (I’m guessing) brought movies, flowers, and TV dinners over to Zach Parise’s apartment and massaged his knee hoping the doctor will give Zachy-poo the go ahead to begin skating. They are good buddies.
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Next for the Devils:
New Jersey Devils 25-30-4 (54 Points, 13th in East)
@
Dallas Stars 31-22-6 (68 Points, 8th in West)
8:30 PM on VERSUS
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Soccer!
The English FA Cup tournament continued this past weekend. Chelsea and Everton went to penalties with Everton coming out on top. Man City and Bolton won on Sunday while Birmingham, Stoke, and Man U won on Saturday.
In Italy, Serie A play continued. Juventus dropped a 2-0 decision to Milk (Lecce). What made things worse for Juventus is that Napoli, Lecce, AC Milan, and Inter Milan all won.