So, how ’bout those Devils?

A share of the Eastern Conference crown, you say? (Alright, Ottawa can dangle that one point above us all they want, it’s a matter of time.)  I have one thing to say.

I knew it all along.  Sort of.

When everyone else was down-in-the-swamps about the Devils losing $cott Gomez and Brian Rafalski, I saw the light.

You see, I was looking forward to this season more so than any other in recent history. Something about the refreshed roster and evisceration of Moneybags and Ankle Weights had me feeling rejuvenated. It’s kinda like that piece of popcorn that gets stuck in your teeth and you finally relieve yourself after a week-long tongue-gum battle.

Yeah.

The Devils needed the makeover. At first it took some time for them to get used to the new look and style, but once it clicked, it clicked. If you don’t believe me, just check the standings. Patience is a virtue, my fellow fans. And when you spend the last ten years following Patrik Elias, patience is something that comes naturally.

Now, the ridiculously overlooked fact that the Devs are winless - yes, winless against their biggest rivals. Seriously, think about it - New Jersey is sitting on the top o’ the Atlantic mountain and they’re a cumulative 0-for-New York. It’s uncanny. Sprinkle a few wins over those teams and the Devils are running away with the Division, and even more impressively, the Conference!

But I’ll leave wishes to Cosmo & Wanda, there’s still some serious business to take care of. The Devils need to get this slump-of-all-slumps out of their system, and they don’t have long to wait for their chance. Black ‘N Red will face off with the Isles tomorrow afternoon from The Rock, this time against an Islander team that has won six straight - twice the winning streak the Devils are currently riding.

Oy.

But hey, herein lies the beauty of being a pessimist: either your constantly being proven right, or you end up being pleasantly surprised.

The best part is, I’ve been a little bit of both this year.