You gotta love it when these two teams play.
The Montreal Canadiens always bring their storied franchise history and mystic as an Original Six team. Their success of the 20th century brought a coaching pipeline to the New Jersey Devils that included Jacques Lemaire, Larry Robinson, Pat Burns, and Claude Julien. They all brought winning success with the Devils and the New Jersey franchise won three Stanley Cups since 1995, while Montreal has been on a Cup drought hiatus.
But when Lou Lamoriello hired Brent Sutter in 2007, the old reliable way of life, the Montreal Canadiens’ neutral zone trap of the 1970’s, became obsolete in order to adjust to the new NHL. This new Devils philosophy has turned this Devils team into an aggressive Islanders dynasty team of the 1980’s, which Sutter and Zach Parise father, J.P. Parise, has both played on.
At the sold out Prudential Center on Friday night, Devils fans were mimicking their offense as they started the wave last night. The Devils forwards brought the pressure forecheck and speed to the Montreal Canadiens. The Habs answered back with some speed but could not solve the Atlantic Division’s top goaltender in Scott Clemmensen, who won his 14th game of the season. The Devils are proving they can play both fast transition and physical hockey, while not sacrificing their attention to detail on defense.
Granted, the Canadiens have had their injury woes as of late, but if they are going to live up to the hype their fans have done in the first two weeks of the 2009 NHL All Star balloting, there is no excuse to lose this game so easily. The Devils are a prime example of going through major injuries this season, yet putting a superb effort every night to win tough games. Personally, I think the Canadiens are a talented team but will be thinking of rebuilding in a year from now. They need to win now and maybe little overrated to suggest they have six starting All Star players.
How about Scott Clemmensen and Zach Parise to the 2009 All Star Game in Montreal? Both are having career seasons and hope they will get a reserve spot on the roster at least. Too bad it is a popularity contest but here is a sign you may print and hold up at the games:
I am looking for volunteers to become Woo Reporters at the Devils games. Send me an e-mail for more information.
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New Jersey Devils Blogger • 
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