(New Jersey) - Seriously, this is not funny anymore.
I've heard all week on XM about how great the Philadelphia Flyers are with their two goaltenders as of late. But when they came into the Prudential Center for a Sunday afternoon match, a sold out crowd of 17.625 witnessed a textbook beat down and leaving the Flyers nine points behind the Atlantic division leading New Jersey Devils.
Watching Martin Brodeur cut off the angles and making one spectacular save after another was a work of art. He was not giving anything to the Flyers players to shoot at and his lateral movements was fast. Not even the third best power play unit in the Eastern Conference could solve Brodeur as each shot was steered away.
We know the Devils can beat teams in many ways, with their defense or offense and they are dominating recently when striking early by getting the first goal of the game. If this is the best competition the Atlantic division can offer, aside the Devils themselves, no doubt New Jersey will be the team to beat come playoff time.
Brodeur: 547 Wins, 100 Shutouts (Regular Season)
Langebrunner: 200 goals (Regular Season)
What have we learned since Thursday night?
The Devils are a well conditioned team and with Brodeur in the lineup, they are a major Stanley Cup contender. They have outscored their opponents 14-2 and looked flawless throughout the last nine periods.
Brodeur passed all the tests and answered his critics about coming back in the middle of season. It would be safe to say that Scott Clemmensen is truly expendable at this point and I would not be surprised if he will be shopped around the league prior to Wednesday's trade deadline.
Zach Parise is looking like a MVP Hart trophy winner with seven points the last three games.
What do the Devils need to do by trade deadline?
Obviously, the team chemistry is great right now, but there is some minor tinkering to do. Speculation about Scott Niedermayer coming back to New Jersey has been running rampant on the internet. I am not sure if that is necessary because the Devils would have to give up some players and potential prospects in return. It is a big price to pay, but talent on the blueline is not the problem.
Of course, you can never have too many defensemen on your playoff roster and every team needs a mobile physical defensive specimen by trade deadline. I believe the Devils need to bolster up their blueline corps but need to get some nastiness and attitude.
If there is one defensive flaw I can point out the last four days, it maybe the amount of times Brodeur has been run into by opposing forwards going hard to the net, resulting in two goaltender interference penalties in the last two games. Yes, Brodeur is refreshed since his four month layoff, but if this continues, expect the wear and tear. Right now, teams cannot beat Brodeur so they are looking to find ways to disrupt his game. Moreover, the Devils need a physical defenseman to send a message every game that no one will be getting near Brodeur's crease.
Protect Brodeur!
Trade Deadline Show on March 4th and Pens Buzzcast today at 8PM EST
I'll be hosting a live online radio program on trade deadline day. We'll give you up to the minute trades and analysis. Tuesday's blog will have all of the information you need to listen and call into the show.
And last, but not least, I'll be on Brian metzer's show. Not sure what to expect but we'll talk about how great the Devils are and some stories on the After Show Party AKA Pens Buzzcast XL.
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