Wed 28 Nov 2007
A very well-rested Devils team will get a chance to gain some ground in the Atlantic Division when they host the red-hot Dallas Stars tonight. It will be the Stars first ever visit to Prudential Center, and their first trip to New Jersey since 2003. The Stars and Devils faced off last season in Dallas, with the Stars emerging 3-1 winners. Travis Zajac’s first NHL goal was the Devils lone marker.
But seriously, no pressure.
Both teams have been consistent powerhouses in their respective conferences over the last decade or so, but both of them were off to some pretty rocky starts this season. The Stars went the pink-slip route and canned their GM; they’ve since gone 6-0-1. The Devils decided to, well, just get their asses in gear and stop playing like crap! Novel idea, eh? It seems all is well in their respective locker rooms, just in time for some to provide us with some (hopefully) entertaining hockey!
The Stars have done the Devils a few favors already on their current six game trip, defeating the New York Rangers 3-2 in regulation time and limiting the Islanders to only one point in the standings, thanks to Mike Modano’s OT winner a mere 35 seconds into the extra frame. The Devils will be looking to take advantage of the Stars victories, but it won’t be easy.
Dallas has been on fire lately and up-and-coming goaltender Mike Smith is on the cusp of taking the #1 job from Marty Turco. Smith figures to be the man between the pipes when Dallas takes the ice tonight, while Martin Brodeur, to the surprise of no one, will be getting the nod for the Devils.
Some roster moves to mention for New Jersey tonight — Patrik Elias has recovered from his flu-bug and will be in the line up tonight. Karel Rachunek will also make his return, prompting Brent Sutter to scratch a d-man as the Devils will not need to dress seven defenders. If Sutter has any brains at all, Sheldon Brookbank will get the reservation in the press box.
Both teams will be coming into tonight’s meeting protecting their respective winning streaks — six games for the Stars, four for the Devils. As mentioned above, it’s a wondrous opportunity for the Devils to climb in the Atlantic Division, given Dallas’ victories over both the Rangers and Islanders.
Don’t mess this one up, guys!
November 28th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
Sutter has no brains, and is benching Greene and Oduya, says TG over at Fire & Ice.
Ok, so maybe he has half a brain.
November 28th, 2007 at 3:22 pm
he’s benching Greene. As in Andrew Greene? *facepalm*
benching oduya good, but seriously? Andy? Come on..he’s just yankin our chain..right?
November 28th, 2007 at 3:31 pm
benching greene? wtf
November 28th, 2007 at 4:05 pm
Yeah, i don’t understand why the hell he would bench Greene. He has really played good this year.
On a good note, Oduya is scratched, thank the freakin’ lord.
November 28th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
Greene is getting benched because he is a team leading +10. John O is even. Brookbank is a -4 and Vitali is a -7. WTF!!!! I am finally looking forward to a game with everyone healthy and Sutter benches Greene? I would have Odyula and Greene in and Vitali and Brookbank out. Brookbank does not have the skills to play in the NHL and should never play over the other 7 D men. John O atleast has good skills, albeit a few bone head plays. Vitali is never in the right spot and my least favorite D men.
November 28th, 2007 at 5:59 pm
Sutter isnt really “benching” Greene or Oduya, its a numbers thing, and Sutter said it’s good for these guys to “watch” the game once in a while, we have excess D-men right now,no biggee.
I’d rather have Greene in and Mottau out, but I’m sure Greene will be back for the next game.
We are finally a healthy team, so some guys will get the occaisional “sit”
November 28th, 2007 at 7:52 pm
The way they are playing right now They could really use Greene, they look like thay have bricks in their skates tonight.
November 29th, 2007 at 10:16 am
Who is the goalie in the picture???
November 29th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
Just wanted to pop in and say that, as a Stars fan, I love the “Goalie: Good” graphic you’ve got there. Mostly because that picture cracks me up every time I see it. Our guys look so “WTF”.