Brodeur Gets League Leading 9th Shut-out, as well his 40th win this season, as 4 goal Touting Elias leads Devils to a 6-0 Thrashing of The Islanders

Martin Brodeur became the first NHL goaltender to post four 40-win seasons as the New Jersey Devils beat the New York Islanders 6-0 Sunday.

Patrik Elias had career-best four goals and an assist, and linemate Scott Gomez had a career-best and a team-record tying five assists as the Devils extended their unbeaten streak to seven games (5-0-2).

The win moved New Jersey four points ahead of the idle Philadelphia Flyers in the Atlantic Division and within four points of Ottawa in the race for the best record in the Eastern Conference.

The loss was the second straight for the Islanders, who seem to be losing their grip on the eighth and final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference despite being four points ahead of the New York Rangers.

The teams will meet on Tuesday night at the Nassau Coliseum, and that game might be very interesting if the Rangers beat Atlanta on Monday night to move within two points of eighth place.

The Islanders have two more wins than the Rangers and would have the first tiebreaker should the teams finished tied.

However, if the Islanders play like they did in losing the last two games by a combined 11-2 margin, they will be in trouble.

Brodeur only had to make 19 saves in recording a league-high ninth shutout this season and the 64th of his career. It improved his record this season to 40-22-8, surpassing Jacques Plante and Terry Sawchuk in career 40-win seasons.

Elias and Gomez gave Brodeur the only goal he would need, setting up defenseman Scott Stevens in front of Islanders goaltender Rick DiPietro at 5:04 of the first period.

Eli as got his first two goals in the second period and two more in the third as New Jersey beat the Islanders for the fourth time in five games (4-0-1).

Elias got his first at 11:52 of the second period, deflecting a Scott Niedermayer shot on a power play. He put in his own rebound after being set up by Gomez on a 4-on-4 situation.

Elias got the hat trick in the opening minute of the third period on a great setup in front by Brian Gionta, and he added his 27th of the season by poking a puck past DiPietro at 14:11.

Elias' hat trick was the sixth of his career, tying John MacLean for the team record. It was his first four-goal game, and fourth by a Devil.

Turner Stevenson closed out the scoring in the final minute on a give-away by DiPietro. Joe Nieuwendyk got an assist on the play, the 500th of his career.

Martin Brodeur grabbed a share of the league lead with his eighth shutout and Scott Gomez scored a power-play goal to give the Devils a 1-0 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.

One night after a 4-2 home loss to Philadelphia that coach Pat Burns called "the most disappointing of the season," New Jersey clamped down on Montreal, which faces an uphill battle for the final Eastern Conference playoff berth.

Brodeur made 25 saves to tie Ottawa's Patrick Lalime and Chicago's Jocelyn Thibault atop the shutout list. It was the fifth time the Montreal native blanked the Canadiens, against whom he is 24-10-4 lifetime.

The Devils were in a 1-for-42 power-play slump before Gomez came through at 5:59 of the opening period. With Montreal's Niklas Sundstrom in the penalty box for hooking, Patrik Elias fired a blast from the right point that was kicked out by Jose Theodore. But Gomez leaned into a slap shot from the right faceoff circle and sent it just inside the left goalpost for his 12th goal.

Brodeur made it stand up and helped New Jersey kill five power plays, including two in the third period. 

Devil's Slump Continues as Devs Fall to The Thrashers 3-2

(March 11th) First game with Marshall and Smehlik in the line-up. Gomez was a healthy scratch making the rumor mill go full tilt with the possibility of unreported trade. Mad-dog scored a short handed goal at 4:30 of the first. The NJ fans were treated to a rare Ken Daneyko fight with The Thrashers Odgers. This was stemming from a Daneyko hit earlier in the game that saw Odgers thrown from his feet into the Devils net. Thrashers tie things up 14 minutes into the first.

     Defense was out the window as Atlanta scored 54 seconds into the period. If the power play couldnt get any worse, the Thrashers score short handed 8 minutes into the 2^nd.

     Gionta scored 10 minutes into the third giving the Devil Hopeful something to hold on to. The Devils made the last 5 minutes as interesting and exciting as we could of asked from them, but fell short.

Devils Smoke Flyers 5-1

The Devils smoked the Flyers at the swamp. Brodeur came within 1:58 of posting his fourth straight shutout and Daneyko had a rare goal and an assist. Way to go! Scott Niedermayer, Mike Rupp, Jay Pandolfo and Scott Gomez also scored as the Devils steamrolled the Flyers. Eric Chouinard scored the only flyer goal spoiling Brodeurs shutout. This team is hot! Go Devils go!!

Devils Sweep Hurricanes Home at Home Series, and show that they are a play-off powerhouse

Patrik Elias scored twice as the New Jersey Devils matched their season high with three power-play goals in beating the Hurricanes 5-2 on Saturday night During their current run, the Devils have scored 26 goals and allowed only 11. They have also improved on special teams. Besides converting on 3-of-8 power-play chances, the Devils killed off all five Carolina power plays. Defenceman Ken Daneyko took a shot from the left point, and Hurricanes defenceman Aaron Ward tried to kick the puck to the corner. It went right to Elias for a shot into an open net at 7:52 of the third with goalie Kevin Weekes on the other side of the net. Madden extended the advantage to 4-2 by putting in the rebound of Colin White's shot at 12:07. Stevenson added an empty-net goal with 15.7 seconds to play. Kevyn Adams and Erik Colee scored for Carolina.

Nieuwendyk became the 32nd player in NHL history to score 500 goals Friday night when he beat Kevin Weekes in the first period of New Jersey's 2-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes.

The entire New Jersey team left the bench to congratulate Nieuwendyk on his milestone. Nieuwendyk passed up a chance to score into an empty net last Friday night at Florida. Martin Brodeur also stopped 34 shots for his NHL-leading 24th victory as the Devils moved 14 games over .500. The win extended New Jersey's season-high unbeaten streak to six (5-0-1), while the Hurricanes matched a franchise record with their sixth straight home loss. Nieuwendyk's first-period goal got the Devils off to a fast start, then Brodeur took over. He stopped 20 shots in the second period alone, including six straight from point-blank range during a three-minute span. The Devils went up 2-0 with 14.3 seconds left in the second when Jan Hlavac got tangled behind the Carolina net with referee Mike Leggo and the puck was freed to Jamie Langenbrunner, who beat Kevin Weekes with a screen shot from the circle. A bad clearing pass by Glen Wesley found the stick of Nieuwendyk, who outraced Sean Hill down the left wing, faked out Weekes and easily slid the puck into the open net. Patrik Elias, who has a three-game goal streak, missed his first game of the season for New Jersey with back pain.

Illegal Goal gives Toronto the Win Despite being out shoot 51-19

You heard me right, the goal was illegal and under heavy protest by Pat Burns. The Devils protested the goal immediately after it was scored and refs skated away from Stevens and Niedermayer. This gave the Green enough time to switch sticks. The goal was scored w/ a broken stick which was confirmed by fox! Daaaaaaaa, what a bunch of morons. This is why they get paid $200,000 a year?!? To screw up and ignore important information?!? Burns wouldnt send a line out to the face-off following the illegal goal in protest.

The devils looked good for the majority of the game, but they did drag their asses for a good part of the game too. See my section of Toronto Leafs on the webpage of some serious thrashing for the way they poke fun at other teams because they are so insecure about the last 35 years!!!

Corey Schwab Shuts down The Maple Leafs with a Shutout as Devils Sink Toronto

You heard it right. Corey Schwab, the ex-leaf, shuts down his old team. Corey faced 17 shots (barely worthy of a mention). Bicep scored his first NHL goal (I was wondering about this guy) half way into the second, but this is where the Tucker story begins. Darcy went outside on Stevens and Scott made him pay by crushing him into the boards and down to the ice. Tuckers tampon fell out and then cross his legs with Stevens leg entangled. Stevens tried to break free by laying a nice shot to Tuckers head. Tucker then started throwing shots as if the Refs didnt have a clue what was going on, daaaaa. After they got up Tucker's mouth starting running a mile a minute at Stevens, so Stevens just plowed him. Then Tuckers boyfriend McCabe stood in for the injured Corson, by trying to intimidate Stevens (do they ever learn?) Now the Devils are going down the other way while this is all going down. Bicep takes a slap shot off the shoulder / mask of Belfour, scoring the first Devils goal.  The other Devils goal was scored earlierin the first with a 2 on one break. Elias attempted the pass to Gomez, but it hit the Leaf defensemen and came back, and Elias put it 5 hole on Belfour. Corey Schwab was stellar in net. Way to go Corey!! Go Devils Go!!

Brodeur earns 59^th career shutout as Devils blank Bruins with defensive chokehold

Pandolfo got the only Devil's goal with a bounce of his leg, coming from a nice feed from Madden with 4 minutes to go in the first. The devils put on a defensive chokehold that barely left breathing room for the Bruins. Brodeur played yet another stunning game! Brodeur is now tied for forth in the NHL for shutouts. I think he get number 5 this weekend with the back to back games against Toronto. Go Devils Go!

Papa Smurf Gionta Wins it in Overtime, Broduer gets the shutout in NHL Record Setting Night

What a great game. Lots of big hits and chances by both teams. The refs unfortunately ruined a part of the game with absolutely ludicrous calls. Primeau-donna cross checked / boarded Scott Niedermayer into the boards (fortunately Niedermayer wasnt killed!). Niedermayer got up and gave Premeau-donna a face rub with the gloves. Colin White came in for good measure, and then Niederemayer unloaded for the cheap shot he took. Colin White got the gate, but Primeau-donna was allowed to stay for his boarding, which is automatic ejection. More Empty promises from Bettman!!

Later in the game Roenick did a dirty hit on Oleg and Laggenbrunner was there to set it straight. It wasnt much of a fight, but the moron ref decided to give Laggenbrunner the instigator. What the F%@& is wrong with these refs? They dropped their glove 1 second apart. MORONS!

The score remained 0-0 and overtime we go. Broduer made the save of the game by denying Gagne. Gagne froze Broduer and faked right to put it away , but Broduer laid down his arm and stopped the puck!! ! minute later Elias broke down the left side and made a picture perfect pass to Gionta, who put it home.

This game was an NHL record. The Flyers and Devils have played 4 1-0 games in a row, dating back to last year. Congrats to Martin Brodeur for playing 207 minutes of shut out hockey vs the flyers.

Poor Effort by Devils Earn them a Loss

(Nov.16^th) @ Montreal Loss 3-1. As predicted. They came out flat and looked like crap, with only a few highlights here and there, but after the spanking they gave Montreal the night before I expected this. Montreal was playing some very desperate hockey tonight.

Langenbrunner Scored 2 as Devils give the Habs a Spanking.

(Nov.15^th) vs Montreal Win 5-1. Man did the Devils lay a spanking on Montreal by out shooting them 44-22. It seemed that Hacket could barely hold on at times. The score could have easily have been 10-1. Hacket kept them from free falling. The power play was on fire scoring 3 times! I bet they come out flat tomorrow night.

Brodeur gets his 56^th career shutout!

(Nov.7^th) @ Filthydelphia WIN 1-0 First period saw some bigs hits, including the running down of Brodeur By Filthys big dummy Primeau. Scott Stevens made sure he learned quick. No scoring in the first. 1 penalty to each team, with no goals. 2nd period was filled with the same.

Why do the refs have to ruin a perfect game, laced with obstruction. Elias gets called for holding the stick with his armpit (which was really him get hooked originally) Puts his arms straight up in the air after he figures out with the Filthydelphia player is up too.. Then it became a 5 on 3 with a dive by Gagne, as Niedermayer took him out from the front of the net. The dive was confirmed by the commentators in case you were wondering. The penalty kill put the flyers in a chokehold, Flyers came up with nothing! With 7 minutes left in the period, some bad give aways had the puck end up in the Flyers zone. Desjardens coughed up the puck to Lagenbrunner who put it home under the crossbar. The Devils defended their lead by containing the Flyers for the rest of the game. Another dive by fithydelphia that draws a penalty (Im really starting to lose respect for their Eastern Conference Lead). Their own fans boo their power play. Dont see a penalty kill like the Devils too often, do they? No shots on goal on the power play for the Flyers for the entire game!  Elias hits the post on the empty net. Brodeur gets his career 56th shutout! Way to go Devils!!!!!

Devils out shot Canes 35-11, but don't get win at obstruction festival

(Oct.29^th) Loss 2-1 This game left off where the other Canes meeting left off. Obstruction no call zone. I swear to god all I see is players being pulled down. There were no penalties in the first. Nuff said. Canes scored a fluky goal after White lost his man. Devils answer back 3 minutes later with a Friesen rocket glove side that fooled Weekes.

Period 2 saw some pretty good stick handling by Elias, again obstruction rose its ugly head as Devils players ended up in the net after puckless take downs. Again the Canes ran interference, with Oneil rubbing out Scott Stevens, then heads to the front of the net to deflect the puck in, the only way to beat Brodeur, deflected in Yawn!! The refs tried to make it up to the Devils by calling the Canes (finally!!) on some obstruction. Devils had a 5 on 3 player play midway through the period. The best the Devils could mustard up was a post from Elias. Man the Devils power play sucks!! The Devils power kill however is brilliant as Elias got a breakaway and beat everyone, but Weekes managed to put his pad down to save the Canes lead. The Canes may have the lead, but they are being badly outplayed. Shots on goal after two prove this 28-11. Talk about Flukes

The 3^rd period saw the Devils continually bombard the Canes net. Obstruction was clearly in full force with no calls again as every single puckless Devil heading to the net was hauled down. Sick. Still the Devils managed to outplay the Canes, and make them look bad they did. Weekes continued to pull rabbits out his ass, and the Devils frustrations started to show. The obstructions continued, but wait. The ref calls one! Devils didnt manage to score (big surprise), but I counted yet another 5-8 obstruction no calls. Afraid of a 5-3 ref? Sick. Devils get a penalty, hey maybe the power kill will score again? Nope. Weekes still manages to save the Canes from the onslaught of Devil chances. Refs after 3-4 obstructions call one, yeah!!! The brutal power play goes to work again. Some good chances, but Weekes manages to keep the puck out. Devils penalty again. The damn Devils power kill is better then the power play. Hurricanes looked lost the entire power play! Devils fall to the Canes despite destroying them in shots 35-11.

Next game vs. Chicago.

Daneyko 255 game scoreless streak is over!!

You heard it right. Ken Daneyko scored his first goal since 1999 at 17 minutes into the first period. The Devils looked good again tonight, with their suffocating defense, Burns style. Brodeur was at his best stopping the Sabres at every corner. Sabres tied things up in the third with a Stu Barnes goal that Brodeur made me believe he had. Not to worry as Brylin deflected a Rafalski slap shot top shelf into the net with 1 minute into the 3^rd period. Thats all the goals the Devils would need as Brodeur closed the door on the Sabres with some amazing saves!! The Devils powerplay went 0-5 tonight, which is getting a bit scary at times. Hopefully Burnsy will fine tune it. The offense may not be there in record numbers, but I believe that will change once the chemistry kicks in. Go Devils Go!

Brodeur 1 second away from shut-out!

(Oct.23^rd) @ Thrashers WIN 2-1 Very unexciting game with almost no opened up hockey. Lots of fights to start the period off, with both Mckenzie and Stevenson dropping the gloves, as well as dropping their opponents. Stevenson would end up fighting five minutes later again. What a diehard Stevenson is.  The Devils scored first blood with a beautiful Gomez pass to Friesen who scooped the puck top shelf over Hnilicka at 14:38 in the 1^st. Gionta had a breakaway, with seconds left, and beat Hnilicka, but hit the post.

Gomez scored his 1st goal of the year with a bad clearing attempt for Atlanta. Brodeur looked absolutely brilliant with his amazing saves, as Devs fans have come to expect. Not much to report for the rest of game. Thanks to a Friesen penalty with 30 seconds left, the Thrashers managed to break Brodeurs shut-out with 1.7 seconds left. Damn!  The Devils have to score more goals! Its very earlier in the season, but they should be scoring more with their opposition being some what weak in the standings.