Game 4 was heart attack cityI really do feel spoiled to witness such an amazing hockey game during the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.  Scott Gomez, I beg for your forgiveness of every “Poomez” joke I have ever made in my life.  In fact, I promise to re-hang my Scott Gomez poster above my bed.. c’mon, doesn’t that make it allllll better?!  :)

After tonight, I’m sure everyone is ready for the awesomeness that is 2MANADVANTAGE’s playoff breakdown!  I’m your host, Joe - and this is The Awesome, The Not So Awesome, and The Downright Ridiculous from Game Numba 4.

THE AWESOME: Johan Holmqvist.  I am sorry, but this kid is beyond words.  His first playoff series, and well, let’s just say he’s doing a helluva lot better job than Henrik Lundqvist did last year.  His composure in such heart-stopping situations has been uncanny.  At such a young age, you really found a gem there, Bolts.  As much as it pains me to talk about this: how many times did New Jersey have point-blank opportunities to win the game?  Without Johan, the New Jersey Devils board their Newark-bound flight with a 12-3 win under their belts.  Props to you, Mr. Holmqvist.

THE NOT SO AWESOME: Any of New Jersey’s special teams.  Oh my gawd were the Devils horrible on the powerplay!  …And during the 4-on-4.  You know you’ve got yourself a serious problem when the opposition is setting up an attacking formation on your powerplay.  And I don’t mean just wasting time, Tampa Bay had some a lot of legitimate chances to score while shorthanded.  Not to mention the countless turnovers and failed clearing attempts from the Devils that took about 4-6 years off my life.  I’m pretty sure that calls for some sort of bag-skate practice or at least a lengthy video-homework session.  Can’t let that kinda crap slide in the playoffs, boys. 

And finally…

THE DOWNRIGHT RIDICULOUS:  Like there’s any surprise here: #9 Zach Parise.  Seriously, do I even need to explain this one?!  The intensity, the work ethic, the skill, the drive, the determination.  This kid has established more than I would have ever dreamed of asking.  The complete package.  Seamlessly breaking Jeff Friesen’s/John MacLeans’s records for goals in a playoff series and now leading the entire NHL Playoffs in goal scoring, this 22 year old is a phenomenal athlete.  If the New Jersey Devils are going to move any further in the playoffs, you can bet your tuchas that this kid will be the reason why.

Honorable mention will have to go to Richard Matvichuk and Martin Brodeur.  After playing only 2 previous games this season/post-season, Richard played a huge role in deciding the outcome of tonights game.  Marty did decide the outcome with huge save after huge save.  Again, some dribblers got by him, but what matters most is that he came up with the deciding saves - something that has eluded him most of this series.

So from here on out, it’s nothing more than a best-of-3.  After tonight’s Game 4, I am not even going to consider an attempt at trying to predict what will happen during the next 3 or less games.  The only thing I can say, is Let’s Go Devils!

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