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What goes around….still comes around. Devils trash Blues 4-3

December 31, 2008, 11:20 AM ET [ Comments]
Sam Woo
New Jersey Devils Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
When I think about the St. Louis Blues, I think about them signing a young Brendan Shanahan in the early 1990’s and the Devils getting Scott Stevens in return as compensation. And in 1994, the Blues tampered by talking to Stevens before he officially became a free agent and the Devils were eventually awarded compensation. And what did Lou Lamoriello do at the 2003 NHL entry level draft with his tampering compensation? After winning the Stanley Cup, he swapped first round picks with the Blues and secured the 22nd overall draft pick, which he later traded to the Edmonton Oilers along with their 2nd round pick for the 17th overall pick. Who did he draft?

Zach Parise.

Parise, who was serenaded being better than Sidney Crosby in his first NHL game, scored two goals and Jay Pandolfo scored the game winning goal to help the Devils beat the Blues.

Here are my observations:

1. St. Louis has some great young talent and they worked very hard in the corners fighting for every loose puck. Despite their injuries, don’t let their current team record in the standings fool you. You have to work hard to beat this team and play the full 60 minutes. The Devils were fortunate enough after a somewhat lackadaisical first period.

2. Shorthanded situations when the Devils are on the power play have my concerns. I am not sold on having five forwards and the Devils have been giving up many chances in the past month, including a two on none last night and luckily Scott Clemmensen has been making the big saves. Brent Sutter needs to address this and get his point men to hold the puck in the zone.

3. As the game went on, the Devils were playing better and their hard work paid off in the third period. The Devils seem to get some energy from the Pandolfo/Madden line and Sutter may keep rolling four lines to wear down his opponents.

4. The game was on Versus and if anyone is on vacation in Florida, many of the locals have never heard of this channel because they do not get it. And the ones that do have Directv thought I was crazy when I asked the bartender to put the game on at the bar. Channel 604. I tipped the bartender well but if the NHL wants to promote their game, they should try to make a push to put this channel where people can find it. I can’t believe I am still complaining about this and shouldn’t have to go at lengths to watch my team dominate, especially after paying to see it online on NHL.com.

5. Nice to see Cam Janssen play again.

Woo Mail:

Hey do you know when he will be back, if not your best guess
Derek


The Devils won’t rush him back in the lineup, especially when Scott Clemmensen is making a solid case that he is the best goaltender in the Atlantic Division so far this season, aside from Brodeur before his injury. Obviously, Martin Brodeur’s competitive fire will get him back sooner rather than later, but the Devils have to be careful.

My guess is near the March 4th trade deadline, but that all depends how well his rehabilitation and healing is progressing. But when he does come back, he’ll have a better team in front of him that will be contending for the Stanley Cup.

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