|
Devils/Rangers Battle Preview: Hit or Miss And WOO Mail |
|
|
|
|
|
This morning when I read Tom Gulitti’s blog, this is what I liked to hear:
Brent Sutter: “I had no impact on Gomez whatsoever. I was never here when he was a New Jersey Devil and personally I could care less. It was his choice to decide where he wanted to go play. It was his choice not to want to play in New Jersey anymore and that’s his prerogative. So, to think that we should be easy on him is dead wrong. We’ll treat him like any other player…It’s his choice to go across the river and play there. That’s up to him. But our job is go to there and win a hockey game.”
During the preseason, Rangers fans were ecstatic to have the former New Jersey centerman and thinking of unlimited offensive potential against their opponents on any given night. But so far, it has been a drought far worse than most hockey experts predicted causing the Rangers being in last place, something I predicted. No doubt, Scott Gomez is a talented forward, but without proper discipline and direction, he is a freestyle skater wandering aimlessly in New York. But enough with the pre-game Gomez drama! This game is an early pivotal point for both teams.
The New Jersey Devils will conclude their nine game road trip tonight and as of now they are 3-4-1 with 7 points. They have fought through adversity, with a new coach and system, and no one is making excuses. This game is a dangerous game for the Devils and this game is not about crushing Scott Gomez. The Rangers have been shutout the last two games and better believe it they are going to be getting their shots on Brodeur, who has been struggling. The Devils need to come out strong, after having a nice break to rest; they cannot give the Rangers opportunities to setup in their own zone. The Devils’ special teams has been horrendous and they need to stay out of the penalty box.
If the Rangers can get their confidence back and score goals, they will seize control of the game and could possibly turn around their season offensively. They have an outstanding goalie with a talented group of forwards that are lacking chemistry and confidence. If the Devils are able to blitz successfully with their two man forecheck, it will be a long night for the Rangers as these pesky forwards will be disrupting any lack of chemistry the Rangers already have. Without Callahan, Avery, and Straka in the lineup, I just don’t see the Rangers having enough heart to motivate themselves to get downright dirty and nasty for even this heated rivalry. It is imperative that the Devils move forward and try to bury the Rangers even further down in the Atlantic Division cellar. Moreover, Sutter knows the importance of beating the New York Rangers and expect him to put his best line combinations that has worked for him out tonight.
Devils’ defenseman, Sheldon Brookbank, is expected to make his Devils debut and Mike Mottau will be sitting out. Brent Sutter felt he needed more of a physical presence and I would have to agree. The Devils are missing Colin White for his nastiness on the blue line, his willingness to do the dirty work, and leadership. Also tonight, Bon Jovi will be playing in front of Devils fans as the Rock debuts their first official performance for the public.
On your blog on Hockeybuzz.com you stated "Too many men on the ice for the Penguins? Give the referees credit for calling back that two on none goal because that was an unpopular decision, even though it was a right call, with the Penguins crowd. I thought that each penalty called during the second period was justified." I understand the fact that it was the right call to disallow the goal. But how can it be the right call to call a penalty on the penguins and not the devils as they both, clearly, had too many men. As a fan of neither team, and a person who watched the entire game, i felt the game was a travesty for the game of hockey. All the penalties are terrible for a person who wants to watch a game. This is the reason sport is never going to be among the top three in the United States and i just wish you had the sense to state what you saw and not just say what is right for your devils. Thank you for your time anyways.
Daniel P
Thank you for your e-mail. I don’t think I am biased at all. I thought the referees called a very good game and also explained why sometimes they will not call penalties when the Penguins’ captain is crying wolf on every shift. Every penalty they called was legit. I agree with you that both teams had too many men physically on the ice. The only difference was that the Devils were within the 5 foot rule from the bench and the Penguins were in full possession of the puck and the one Penguin forward that received the puck from a long pass while his teammate he was substituting for was not physically off the ice.
Too many men on the ice
Rule 17 Change of Players
a. Players may be changed at any time from the players' bench provided that the player or players leaving the ice shall be within five feet (5') of his players' bench and out of the play before the change is made.
(NEW for 2005-06)(NOTE 1) A team that is in violation of Rule 65 -- Icing the Puck shall not be permitted to make any player substitutions, prior to the ensuing face-off. However, a team shall be permitted to make a player substitution to replace a goalkeeper who had been substituted for an extra attacker or to replace an injured player. The determination of players on ice will be made when the puck leaves the offending player's stick.
If in the course of making a substitution, either the player entering the game or the player retiring from the ice surface plays the puck with his stick, skates or hands or who checks or makes any physical contact with an opposing player while either the player entering the game or the retiring player is actually on the ice, then the infraction of "too many men on the ice" will be called.
If in the course of a substitution either the player entering the play or the player retiring is struck by the puck accidentally, the play will not be stopped and no penalty will be called.
During the play, the player retiring from the ice must do so at the players' bench and not through any other exit leading from the rink. This is not a legal player change and therefore when a violation occurs, a bench minor penalty shall be imposed.
Again, I thought the refs handled it fairly. They easily could have given a delay of game penalty because of the things being thrown on the ice. As for ice hockey being last in major professional sports, my opinions about how the referees officiate has nothing to do with it. Or even the referees’ performance for that matter. It is called NHL marketing and product distribution. CC: this concept to Gary Bettman.
Sam,
Have you been inside the new arena yet? I've been waiting to see you post on The Rock.
I'll be there Saturday!!!
Greg Hughes
Oradell, NJ
Greg, I have been inside the new arena and I even got the chance to yell, “Let’s Go Devils!” I’ll roaming around the fine city of Newark for pre-game and will have my interns documenting everything going on for this historic event. I am organizing some live coverage, but we shall see how that turns out. Stop by to say hello. You can’t miss the banner we are putting up. I am predicting a 9-0 victory over the Senators. Say hello to Kevin Lee and Katie V. if you get a chance. Enjoy the game!
Great article, Sam. I agree with you. The Devs defense hasn't been the same without Niedermayer, Stevens and Daneyko. Let's face it, we were really spoiled to have that many world class defensemen on our team at the same time. Phaneuf would be an excellent addition, however, do you really see them parting ways with him? I am surprised at Lou this year. With losing Radalski, Gomez and Luk all in the same day, he had significant room to bring in even just one top defenseman or center. ....guess he felt burned after what happend with McGillis and Mogilny. Well that's all for now. Keep the info coming. GO DEVILS!
Regards,
Al
I can think of ways how Calgary will part ways with Phaneuf. But realistically speaking, I do not see it happening, but we all know Lou can shake up a team at any given moment. I think he is a missing puzzle piece the Devils do not have in their organization. Matthew Corrente is good, but not like Dion and he is years away from being an impact player.
I didn’t mind losing Rafalski or Gomez because of their inflated prices they were getting from other teams. It hurts, but does it really? I think the Devils are going through a transformation period because of the difference in systems and sometimes you need to part ways with the old regime, even though they may help you in the new Sutter system. Lou won’t pull the trigger unless he feels it is absolutely right to help the team. And this kind of thinking may take some time to build. As Devils fans, we have been spoiled because the Devils, according the experts, never should have won the Atlantic Division the last two seasons. I think Lou will shake up the team if he feels he needs to. Sutter is still going through his evaluation period with his team and I don’t think Lou wants to interrupt while it is work in progress, unless it involves a player like Dion Phaneuf.
E-mail:
[email protected]
New Jersey Devils Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»