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Rocked By Another Rival At Home & OMG 0-2! THE SEASON'S OVER!!! |
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OMG 0-2! THE SEASON'S OVER!!!
By Mike Luciano
After suffering a 3-2 defeat to the Rangers (10/5/2009), the Devils have gone 0-2, the first time they've been winless in their first two regular season games in a while. Already, it seems many fans are throwing in the towel, dreading a long season, and calling for Lou to do something to shake things up. Yeah dropping the first two of the season is never a good thing, especially when your goaltender gives up eight goals in two games, but for crying out loud the Devil's season is only two games old! Maybe the fact we lost to the Rangers makes it more agonizing to bare, but I see no need as to why going 0-2 is any indication the rest of the season is doomed for inevitable failure. If the Devils are starting the season off with a struggle, I've identified a few plausible reasons, excuses, whatever you want to call them behind the drab play in their first two games and any that may lurk in the immediate future.
The new look...This summer, the Devils experienced a noticeable roster overhaul as new faces replaced old ones. Nobody said change would be easy and there's no guarantee it'll work, at least right away. There's a lot to consider when a team revamps its roster with new players getting comfortable with the team and their role, establishing chemistry, and figuring out each player's skills and limitations, which takes longer than two games. As Jacques Lemaire and Lou Lamoriello decipher these puzzles, we may see the Devils struggle to maintain consistency, score, and win match ups, which could stop tomorrow or drag into the winter. Ultimately, if the Devils figure their roster out, consider these growing pains a present suffering resulting in a long term benefit.
Young blood...Currently, about four or five rookies are in the Devil's lineup and none of them are Sidney Crosbys or Alexander Ovechkins. For most of them, it's their first time maintaining a permanent role on an NHL team with a regular workload. While their mature enough to get to the NHL, I hope you didn't expect the kids to start scoring goals the second they hit the ice. It takes a rookie longer to adjust to their new team and role than a first year veteran. Experience and fully adapting to this level of play are major obstacles they must overcome and with Niclas Bergfors, Matt Halischuk, Ikka Pikkarainen, Rod Pelley, and Pierre Luc-Letourneau Leblond all in that situation and playing notable roles, try to bare with them until their play reflects their comfort level and they're at pace with the rest of the team. It's hard enough being a reputable veteran trying to defend their image let alone being a first year rookie trying to prove themselves, especially on a struggling team. Wasn't giving the kids a chance one of this summer's themes for the Devils?
New coach, new game...This should be a no brainer. Look at how the Devils fared the past few times a new coached entered the season with them. In Pat Burns' first full season (2002-2003), Patrik Elias led the team with only 59 points and 28 goals. The Devils continued to struggle and remain consistent in the 2005-2006 season with Larry Robinson's return and Lou Lamoriello succeeding him, in 2006-2007 with Claude Julien, and the following year with Brent Sutter. The Devils thrived statistically and in the standings in Burns' and Sutter's second full years with the team for the most part. What's happening is the Devils are adjusting their play to the changes Lemaire's made to the Devil's game, which he even said was a concern of his. Don't be surprised if the Devils struggle to stay afloat in the standings or put up high numbers in the scoring department for the first half or entire season. Like I said earlier, it's ultimately another instance to suffer today for tomorrow's prosperity.
Another slow start for Brodeur...? Maybe so, maybe not. It's happened before and is always discouraging to watch whenever it does as fans and critics mock, criticize, and always ask if Brodeur has finally ran out of gas, as if it's a second coming-like event the hockey world has anxiously been anticipating since his arrival in the league. Sure he's two years younger and has shown evidence of his age catching up to him, but two bad games, especially so early in the season isn't enough to start bailing on the Marty bandwagon. I know I've given my share of mocks, criticisms, and jabs at Marty, but it's all said in the heat of anger and frustration, which I'm sure is the case for most of you too.
Special Teams...To be frank, have...stunk. They clicked on the power play two consecutive games and netted a shorthanded goal but they took a lot of unnecessary penalties and aren't maintaining solidity on the penalty kill, which the Rangers converted on three times in their victory. The Devils are struggling on the power play, which I want to excuse with the presence of adjusting youth working it, which gives them great experience in the situation and the effects the new system adjustments have on the power play. I also think the Devils are playing with the puck and trying to utilize the points too much instead of playing the puck low more often, where I think they've had a lot of past success in power play situations. Just because Brian Rolston is on the team doesn't mean he needs to be the basis of each power play situation.
Rocked By Another Rival At Home
By Robert Trezza
Where to start? Tonight’s game was similar to Saturday’s; too many penalties and some ill-advised ones at that. The special teams were anything but special. They definitely shot the puck more tonight, but seemingly aimed for the wrong white net. Another 5-on-3, which yielded weak shots, and no goal could have tied it up and ultimately changed the outcome of the game. The 2009/10 Devils seem like they are going to struggle to find goals as many have predicted. Until Patrik Elias comes back, somebody is going to have to pick up the slack and put the puck in the net.
Rob Niedermayer looked energized in yet another well played game on his part, netting his first of the season, but please don’t look to him to score 40 goals. Myself, like many others feel they will make a move for a center before the season is over or if their offense keeps sputtering it may be sooner than later. They definitely took it to the Blueshirts in the latter part of the third period, but not being able to bury the puck was a major hindrance. It is still early, so there is absolutely no need to panic, but let’s hope the upcoming road trip brings back some nice souvenirs, in the form of wins.
New Jersey Devils Blogger • 
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