Sun 30 Mar 2008
Okay, so after an unplanned day off, we’re back. Because there’s been so much ado already, I present without any FURTHER ado:
THE AWESOME, THE NOT-SO-AWESOME, AND THE DOWNRIGHT RIDICULOUS of the Devils 5-4 shootout victory over the Flyers Friday night.
THE AWESOME: ODUYA RULES!
I’ve done this little-used feature twice this season. The common theme? Oduya has been awesome both times. His first career multiple-goal game couldn’t have come at a more important time for this offensively-challenged team and really got the goal scoring ball rolling. The final score may have read 5-4, but the Devils actually put seven pucks into the net behind Martin Biron (four in regulation, three in the shootout). It started with Oduya.
And that’s without mentioning the insane +25 +/- rating Johnny’s sporting. It would have been a perfect night if not for his leaving Mike Knuble alone in the last minute, giving Philly a point. But I’m willing to overlook that for now. Well done, Mr. Oduya, well done.
THE NOT-SO-AWESOME: VITALY VISHNEVSKI AND SHELDON BROOKBANK
You’re killin’ me, Smalls. We have a small village of defensemen, and somehow these two have played the majority of recent games. I take back what I said after the Ranger game, I don’t want the same defensemen playing for the rest of the year, because I want someone - anyone - in in place of Brookbank. I’ll take Greene back. I’ll gladly take Rachunek in his stead. Vish can stay for now, but only if he starts using his head when using his body. You can’t use the latter without the former, that’s how you wind up the anti-Oduya, with a -11 +/- rating.
THE DOWNRIGHT RIDICULOUS: STOP ALLOWING LATE GOALS!
Remember last year, when the Devils took years off our collective lives by scoring some seven or eight goals in the last minute, with Marty pulled for the extra attacker?
Well, it looks like karma is coming around and the Red N’ Black boys are paying for it in spades this year. Four of the last six games, the Devils have allowed a goal in the last five minutes of play. No two were more crushing that Nigel Dawes’ shoulder shot and Knuble’s tying goal in the last minute Friday night. These are things that cannot happen to playoff teams with such regularity. It’s a frightening trend that must be nipped, like, yesterday.
March 31st, 2008 at 2:34 am
An Oduya hat trick would have been exemplary.
Although going 3 for 3 in the shoot out was powerful awesome.
Great game-o-hockeys.
March 31st, 2008 at 2:56 am
I think having 9 D-men has taken its toll on the borderline guys. I don’t remember Greene and Vishnevski playing as poorly as they have in previous season(s) and I think the pressure of getting into the lineup and not necessarily playing for long stretches of time is getting to them. If they’re in the lineup, they’re constantly worrying about staying in the lineup. If they’re scratched, they’re susceptible to being rusty when they get back on the ice.
Maybe I’m wrong here, but I think the more often you play, the better you are.
March 31st, 2008 at 10:42 am
I was at the game on Friday and it was stunning to watch 5 shoot out goals and one post in the SO. It was the only the second game which my buddy Shannon joined me. The other was the Carolina game where Johnny O went end to end for the goal of the year. I am going to get a #29 put on the back of my currently blank Red Devs Jersey. I can cut Brookbank a little slack because he is rookie that Vineshski hangs him out all the time. If Salvador ever gets healthy, I can see Brookbank playing with him and Vineshski scratched. VV is all over the place. It is clear that Martin and Odulya accept coaching and make quality decisions. VV has not improved at all. He is still running around looking for hits instead of playing defense first. It drives me nuts. Looking forward, a matchup with the Sens looks like it is on the horizon. I would love to get revenge for last years playoff loss. Bring on the Sens!!!
March 31st, 2008 at 11:36 am
’bout time you started commenting, Jun…
…I mean, WhatTheFLER.
March 31st, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Greene only had a handful of games last year, not enough to base anything off of and he’s been awful since the beginning of the season and Vishnevski is what he is - a borderline 6-7 d-man who can hit and not do much else, and also takes himself out of position for the big hit.
March 31st, 2008 at 11:13 pm
Hasan, atleast VV did’t put few pucks against Brodure.