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Devils Get Back On Track With 5-0 Win Over Predators

November 11, 2013, 11:37 AM ET [47 Comments]
Todd Cordell
New Jersey Devils Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Looking to get back on track after a shootout loss to the Maple Leafs, the New Jersey Devils took it to the Nashville Predators on Sunday to the tune of a 5-0 victory.

The Devils scored early and often in what was arguably their most complete 60 minute effort of the season and a milestone night for many.

Jaromir Jagr, Cam Janssen, Marek Zidlicky, Travis Zajac and Mattias Tedenby scored for the Devils while Brodeur stopped 15-15 to record his second consecutive shutout.

Some notes:

- Jagr recorded two points in the victory to reach and surpass the 1,700 point plateau. Jagr is just the 8th player in NHL history reach that mark and he's now just 22 points behind Mario Lemieux for 7th all-time in career points.

That wasn't the only milestone Jagr reached, though, as he scored his 120th career game winning goal. He's now just one behind Gordie Howe for most game winners in NHL history.

- Jagr wasn't the only one reaching milestones on Sunday. Travis Zajac scored his 100th career goal in the win.

- Speaking of Zajac, I thought he was fantastic against the Predators. He was driving play during 5 v. 5, creating chances and he was a big reason the Devils were able to keep the Predators off the board. He made several nice plays in the defensive zone and did great work on a penalty killing unit that killed off all six of the Preds' power plays.

Zajac has been taking a lot of heat for his play and I really believe it's unwarranted. He's regularly setup teammates for glorious opportunities - many of which fail to be converted on due to a team-wide lack of finish. Not only that, but he's playing remarkable defense right now and has truly developed into one of the best defensive forwards in hockey.

Over the last couple games Zajac played primarily against Phil Kessel's line and Dion Phaneuf's pairing against Toronto while going up against Patric Hornqvist' line and Shea Weber's pairing against the Preds. Now look at his ridiculous 5 v. 5 numbers going up against those guys more than anybody else.



- After a poor start to the season, Martin Brodeur has really turned it around and showed us all that he can still have success at the NHL level. Over his last five starts he has recorded four wins and has only allowed five goals over that span. Not only that, but he's also recorded two shutouts to give him 123 over his career. His numbers really are unbelievable if you think about it.

- Eric Gelinas recorded another point against the Predators to give him five points in eight games and at least one in three consecutive games. I think he's here to stay.

- After scoring just three goals in his first 312 career NHL games, Cam Janssen has scored twice in his last three games. Who would've thought through three games he'd have two goals and zero penalty minutes? Certainly not me. Hockey is a funny sport sometimes.

- How about that Marek Zidlicky fellow? He really needs to cut down on his penalties, but what he's bringing to the Devils right now is exactly what they need. They're struggling to score so any offense from the defense is a huge help. He has 11 points in 17 games now and has played about as well as the Devils could have hoped for.

- I need to give some credit to Teddy Westside for his performance last night. He was battling for loose pucks, creating a lot of chances and even snowing goaltenders. No. 9 scored his first goal since 2011 and after all he's been through, he certainly deserved it. I hope he keeps playing like this and sticks around for a while.

- The Devils won 56% of their faceoffs against Nashville. Considering how rarely the Devils win the battle at the dot, I figured it was worth noting.

Next up is a duel against the New York Rangers on Tuesday night. It shall be good.

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