Questions will become answers. What's wrong with the NJ Devils?

Three games into the 2010-2011 NHL season, all I hear is what's wrong with the New Jersey Devils. Well let's analyze these three games.

Opening Night against the Dallas Stars.

Devils come out like a ball of fire. Goals from Zajac and Parise seven minutes into the game. Kovalchuk hits the far post minutes later that would have made it 3-0. Then the expected happens Dallas makes it 2-1 going into the second.

Start of the second Devils look flat. 3 minutes in Loui Eriksson ties it up sitting all alone in front of the net, ties it up. Correction Tallinder counts his paycheck as Eriksson ties it up. Devils still look flat but, get a power play at the 9min mark. Jason Arnott scores in the closing secs of the PP making it 3-2 Devils. Only for Brad Richards to tie it up as they are announcing the goal. Devils are out shot 12-4 in the second

Third Period.. Devils seem to show some signs of life, keyword being some. There was no scoring in the third Devils out shoot Stars 13-4.

Overtime.. Loui Eriksson comes down the left boards a puts one past Brodeur 1min into overtime, Devils lose third straight home opener

High points: Brodeur comes up with some big save. Parise, Zajac, Kovalchuk line with 5 points

Low points: Devils relied on Brodeur too much. Defense looked shaky

Game 2 vs Washington

I didn't watch this game so, I'm not gonna try to explain a 7-2 lose.

What I saw was Ovechkin had 2 goals including a penalty shot.

Third period turns into a Brawl for all including probably the ugliest fight I've ever seen.



Low points: The second period.. Also Volchenkov leaves the game with a broken nose. Rolston suffers a Lower Body Injury

Game 3 vs Pittsburgh (aka the lets boo Paul Martin game)

With 2 injuries, 1 suspension, and salary cap issues, the New Jersey Devils were forced to dress only 15 skaters. And of course, it has to be against Sidney Crosby

First period. Devils kill off an early penalty on Kovalchuk for "Holding" Sidney Crosby. Devils looks sluggish, I start thinking this is gonna be a long game. Devils take another penalty at the 12 minute mark. Tallinder two minutes for tripping. Devils kill that penalty. In the closing minute Kovalchuk makes a crucial turn over just out side the Devils zone and Alex Goligoski makes it count. At the end of one, it 1-0 Penguins

Beginning of the second, Elias and Crosby battling down the right side boards in the Devils zone, Crosby falls, Elias gets two minutes for tripping. In the closing seconds, of the penalty Penguins score, off the skate of Devils defensemen Tallinder. It's now 2-0 Penguins. Devils end up killing off two more penalties in the second period. End of two 2-0 Penguins

Third period. Devils showing some life. Parise takes a penalty at the 5 minute mark, Devils kill it. Eight minutes in Elias scores off and offensive zone face off win by Jason Arnott. Devils down 2-1, the crowd is finally doing something other then booing Paul Martin ever time he touches the puck. Devils offense looks pretty good for only dressing 15 skaters in the third period. Devils get a power play at the 12 minute mark. It ended up looking like a Penguins power play. Brodeur makes a sliding save and Kovalchuk keeps the puck from going in on a rebound. Devils pull Brodeur with a minute in a half left in the game. It doesn't pay off, Paul Martin adds the empty netter with 10 seconds left. Devils lose 3-1

High points: Devils play strong even only dressing 15 skaters. Brodeur can still keep Devils in games

Low points: once again Devils relying on Brodeur to much. inability to clear the puck out of the defensive zone

So, what's wrong with the Devils? Well salary cap issue has to be address sooner then later. Four new players on defense, including two rookies, is showing weakness. Power Play still looks like last year.

Devils Round 1 Playoff schedule

Wednesday, April 14	at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 16	at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 18	at Philadelphia, 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 20	at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.
*Thursday, April 22	at New Jersey, 7:00 p.m.
*Sunday, April 25	at Philadelphia, TBD
*Tuesday, April 27	at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m.
Broadcast schedule to be announced
	*if necessary

1 Minute and 30 Seconds Of Hell

With 8 games remaining in the season for the New Jersey Devils, I start getting pumped for the playoffs. After Clinching a playoff spot for the 13Th consecutive season Saturday night with a win against the Montreal Canadians, I start looking at possible match ups. And I am quickly reminded of last season.

After winning the Atlantic Division , the New Jersey Devils were the 3rd seed in the East and were up against the Carolina Hurricanes. I knew going up against the Hurricanes was not gonna be a walk in the park and was gonna be a six or seven game series. After splitting the first two games at home, the Devils traveled to Carolina split the next two games. With a questionable non-call that ended game four the Devils came back home with a chip on their shoulder. I remember getting home from work the next day, jumping onto Devils Ticket Exchange and finding my seat for game five. In probably the best goaltender battle I've seen ever the NJ Devils won 1-0. Only to not show up for game six in Carolina and get blown out 4-0. Back onto Ticket Exchange for game 7, ooh look same seats sold. The Devils had a 3-2 lead with 1 minute and 30 seconds left in the game. The Devils "seemed" to have this one in hand. However, the Hurricanes had other ideas. I don't remember who scored the tying goal but, I do remember Eric Staal stealing the puck from Niclas Havelid with under a minute to go. Staal headed in to the Devils zone and my head went down and I had to cover my eyes. And then the music. I yell at the top of my lungs "MOTHERFUCKER" and quickly turning around to apologize to the family sitting behind me.

Devils "Fans" start emptying the seats and heading towards the exits with time still left on the clock. I know the game is over but, I'm not going anywhere. NJ Devils send a fury of pucks at Cam Ward only for him to stop them all. As I left the arena, I was still dumbfounded. Yet, still as I pass Carolina fans celebrating I had to pat them on the back and say "Good series and good luck." I remember Kevin Weeks saying "We(healthy scratches) were watching the game at the practice arena and were headed to celebrate with our team in the locker room, only to come in to see a bunch of dejected faces." Or something to that.

Through out the 2009-2010 New Jersey Devils season, watching games live or watching games on TV I have said "You know what this reminds me of?" Mostly due to defensive injuries and having to call up young defensemen from the AHL and not having playing enough games to get settled. With Mark Fraser being the exception till the return of Paul Martin and the acquisition of Martin Skoula. Fortunately, since the Olympic break there hasn't been to many of those moments.

With 8 games remaining it is unclear who the New Jersey Devils will face in the first round. I just know it won't be that team who resides across the river.

Zach Who?

I was watching ESPNEWS at approximately 4pm eastern time and Barry Melrose was talking about the NHL MVP. OK, he was talking about the battle between Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin for the NHL MVP. Melrose noted that you have to consider Ryan Miller and Steven Stamkos for the award.

All of a sudden, I'm yelling at my television. WHAT ABOUT ZACH PARISE? Why doesn't anyone mention Zach Parise in the race for NHL MVP. Zach who on March 5th scored two of the Devils three goals, in a loss to Calgary. Zach who became the first New Jersey Devil to score 30+ goals in four consecutive years. Zach who has 35 assist to go with his 30 goals.

After ranting for a couple minutes I decided to look at the numbers because, the numbers don't lie. First let's take a look at Alex Ovechkin, 44 goals 48 assist on a team that has scored 260 goals. Which means he has a point in 35% of the Capitals' goals. Next we have Sidney Crosby, 44 goals and 40 assist on a team that has scored 211 goals. Which means Sid "The Kid" has a point on 39% of the Penguins' goals. What about Steven Stamkos? Stamkos has 40 goals and 36 assist on a team that has scored172 goals. Which means Stamkos has a point in 41% of the Lightning's goals. Finally we have Zach Parise, 30 goals and 35 assist on a team that has scored 169 goals. Which means Parise has a point in 38% of the Devils' goals.

Now, the NHL MVP usually comes from a winning team so, we'll forget about Steven Stamkos. Ovechkin and Crosby are on offensive first teams so, you would expect a lot of point out of them. Zach Parise plays on a defensive mind team and still has 65 points.

Why Zach Parise is never mentioned for the NHL MVP is beyond me.