Last night the New Jersey Devils took on the Florida Panthers in New Jersey with an opportunity to regain the series lead they had after Game One. Despite a picture perfect start - 3-0 lead less than seven minutes in - they couldn't get the job done. Here are some notes on the game as well as a couple other Devils related topics.
- That is one of the toughest losses I have seen a team take in a long time, but the Devils had it coming. After jumping out to a 3-0 lead they took their foot completely off the gas and couldn't generate any sort of offense. Three goals is enough to win a lot of hockey games come playoff time, but only if you can sustain some pressure in the opposition's zone throughout the game and don't get pushed on your heels. New Jersey couldn't sustain any pressure after they jumped out to their 3-0 lead and because of that they lost.
After almost blowing a 3-0 lead in Game One I thought the Devils would have been better off yesterday, but apparently I was wrong.
- A lot of people have been asking if I think the Devils can bounce back from last night's debacle, and my answer is yes. Patrik Elias and Martin Brodeur have been through it all and one bad game will not harp them throughout the series. They both know what needs to be done, and they know that to accomplish their goals they will have to move on from yesterday's game. I expect both players will be very good tomorrow.
- I don't know what's wrong with Anton Volchenkov and his game right now, but he better fix it quick. After three games he has been on the ice for nine goals against. Florida has only scored 10. To make things sound even worse, the goal Volchenkov was not out for was the empty net goal by Tomas Fleischmann, meaning every goal that had significant impact on the game Volchenkov was out for. Volchenkov has played less than 40 minutes in three games, so Florida is really taking advantage of him when he's out there.
Pete DeBoer would not confirm to the media that Volchenkov will play tomorrow.
- Marek Zidlicky was the Devils best player last night, once again. He moved the puck very well, had an assist and was on the ice for all three Devils goals and zero of the four Florida scored. He also made some great plays in the defensive zone, one of which he broke up a Panthers 2-on-1, moved the puck up ice and the Devils scored their third goal moments after. It's quite evident that he's very confident right now and loves the situation he has been put in by Pete DeBoer.
- Zach Parise has said a couple of times that the Devils penalty kill hasn't been bad this post-season, and I agree with him. If you look at the goals the Panthers have scored, most should have been stopped by Martin Brodeur or have come off fluky bounces. The Devils haven't blown a lot of defensive assignments on the PK, Florida has just taken advantage of the opportunities that are given when on the man advantage. The Devils penalty killing unit just needs to stay confident and avoid over thinking things or they'll be in serious trouble.
- I've said in every one of my blogs since Game One that the Devils need to respect the Bergenheim - Marcel Goc - Mikael Samuelsson line or they'll hurt them, and they have done just that. In every game of this series that line has contributed three or more points and have won over 50 percent of the faceoffs taken. That will continue to happen until the Devils find a way to stop them.
- Last night Scott Wedgewood's Plymouth Whalers lost in Game Seven to the Kitchener Rangers, meaning Wedgewood's season is done. He posted a .928 save percentage and a 2.38 goals against average in 13 playoff games this year.
- Tom Gulitti is reporting that Darcy Zajac has signed a one-year AHL contract with the Albany Devils next season.
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