SamPWoo.com – Here are my thoughts on last night’s game.
1. Give Jacques Lemaire credit for taking risks and experimenting. Five forwards on the power play and giving Ilya Kovalchuk ice time to develop chemistry with his new linemates. It may take some time for him to get used to all of his teammates tendencies, but it is better now to try new things out than during the last few weeks of the season into the playoffs. That entire notion about Jacques Lemaire being such a conservative coach is nonsense.
2. Early on, it seems like there is too much focus on Ilya Kovalchuk and players trying to get him the puck. This is not team first style Devils fans are accustomed to seeing. But that will change as time goes along. It is exciting to see Elias and Kovalchuk play together and having that potential explosive offense when the team is down a few goals. Nevertheless, no matter what the scoreboard says during the game, the Devils will always have a chance to win.
3. Conservative? New York Rangers played a “boring” style of defensive hockey and waited for the Devils to make mistakes before taking advantage. Once Rangers’ forward Marion Gaborik scored, New Jersey tried to get something going offensively but turnovers did them in. Ultimately, New York sat on the lead.
4. All things considering, I thought New Jersey played very well. After all, they just had played the night before and the Rangers were well rested. The energy level was good and putting 42 shots on goal is extremely good sign. This kind of sustained pressure is a good sign and the Rangers were fortunate that Henrik Lundvquist was focused and solid in net.
5. Speaking of HANK, he should really THANK the referees officiating the game last night. I can point out at least half dozen quick whistles after the save was made, yet he did not have the puck. I can understand losing the sight of the puck, but there were times the puck was clearly outside of the crease and the whistle was blown. Then again, maybe I should go easier on the refs. Hank’s king-sized mattress sized leg pads seem to be always obstructing their view.
6. Last, but not least: Ilya Kovalchuk and Sean Avery.
Since Avery likes the attention and be fashionable, I decided to give you my opinion about the fight. Yes, he did his job as the pest, but was that necessary? Some hockey analysts will say it was stupid because Kovalchuk fell into the trap and got baited into not participating the closing minutes of the game. Well, this was not the playoffs.
That fight won character points in my book. Kovy proved to me that he does not need to hide behind the Devils’ enforcers and he will finish his own fights. To me, he is a natural born leader and this kind of attitude will rub off on his entire team.
I would like to say that Kovalchuk and Gaborik are generally equal in terms of their NHL superstar status and what they can do on offense. But I would take Kovalchuk over Gaborik any day because of the intangibles. Kovalchuk literally manhandled Sean Avery without hesitation and this fight will go a long way of winning respect from your new teammates.
Enjoy the videos of the difference between Gaborik and Kovalchuk when it comes to fighting.
New Jersey Devils Blogger • 
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