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.
