The New Jersey Devils opened up a home-and-home series against the Philadelphia Flyers Wednesday and cruised to a 5-2 victory - in large part due to the contributions from their top players.
Game Notes
- That was a big win, to say the least. It was a total team effort from New Jersey and everybody contributed in the win. Almost all of their stars who were struggling broke out of their slumps and Johan Hedberg provided the Devils with another strong effort between the pipes.
- To those who questioned Pete DeBoer for continuously going back to Hedberg in goal, you now know why. As I said, Hedberg is going to be with the Devils for the rest of this year and next season so they needed to get him going. Hedberg appears to have regained his confidence and is rewarding DeBoer for his faith as he's allowed just two goals in three of his last four starts and has won three of four, as well.
- The Devils are now tied with the Toronto Maple Leafs for 6th in the Eastern Conference with 31 points. Had the Devils lost in regulation, the Flyers would've been one point out of 8th and two points behind New Jersey for 7th with the two teams meeting again Friday.
- Adam Henrique was an absolute phenom last night. He was so consistent throughout the game and was generating chances almost every time he touched the ice. Henrique had two goals, a primary assist and won 50% of his faceoffs while playing a season-high 21:41.
Henrique is getting a lot better in the faceoff dot, too. Henrique has won at least 50% of his draws in six consecutive games. He won over 50% of his draws just once in his first six games of the year.
It takes time and patience, but Henrique is emerging into one of the best young two-way players in hockey.
- Andrei Loktionov continues to impress myself, Devils fans and the Devils brass, no doubt. He had an incredible goal as well as a primary assist in the win. To think, the Devils got him for a 5th round pick. Devils General Manager Lou Lamoriello looks like a genius for making that move while 28 other General Managers look dumb for not parting with a 5th rounder for an NHL-ready player with top-6 upside.
- Both Krys Barch and Tom Kostopoulos played their roles very well against the Flyers, in my opinion. Both of them had a few nice hits and generated some good chances, too. They didn't score, but they did what they were supposed to do. They don't ever get much praise so I thought I'd give them some today.
- Ilya Kovalchuk scored his 4th short handed goal of the season last night and tied David Clarkson for the team lead in goals with 10. Kovalchuk's four short handed goals tie him for 3rd in team history and just two goals shy of the team's single season record of six short handed goals. Kovalchuk has put himself in a good position to tie or break that record in a lockout shortened season. Imagine what he could do if this was an 82 game season.
- I can't give praise to everyone, but the Devils' team defense last night was very good. They did a good job of limiting the amount of shots the Flyers took and did an even better job of making sure they weren't grade A chances.
- Last note regarding the Devils/Flyers: New Jersey needs to be ready Friday night. The Flyers will be at home, hungry and ready to play. If they lose they're all but out of the playoff race so it's a must-win game for them. You know they'll be ready.
News and Notes
- The Devils sent out a press release yesterday afternoon announcing that they have signed prospect Reid Boucher to a three-year entry level contract. The contract begins in 2013-14 so he won't see any action with the team this year. Boucher has 62 goals and 94 points in 65 games this season with the Sarnia Sting in the OHL.
Boucher's 62 goal total (that will probably raise a couple more) is the most in Sting history. Steven Stamkos previously held the Sting record with 58 goals in a season.
- Doug Maclean of Sportsnet suggested that the Devils could be among a shortlist of teams with interest in Kings' backup goaltender Jonathan Bernier. Maclean said the Kings would want a roster player or top prospect along with a backup goaltender in any deal for Bernier. While Bernier would be a good piece to have, I think it's best for the Devils to keep what they have and wait for Keith Kinkaid and/or Scott Wedgewood to develop into NHL caliber goaltenders. Lamoriello is famous for saying "if you have time, use it" so I imagine he'll do just that. I think the Devils standing pat is the more likely option.
What do you all think? Should the Devils take a run at Bernier?
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