Here we go again.

Game 2 is mere hours away and the rock that was settling in the pit of my stomach has returned. A Devils/Rangers series will always do a number on one’s insides, but when you’re down in the series, it’s even rougher.

So, for the sake of your fans’ physical health, I implore of the Devils: win tonight. Please? A win makes this series a best-of-five, and that I can handle. I don’t think my stomach, heart, or spleen can handle the pressure of being down 2-0. What can I say, my spleen gets very emotionally involved in the game sometimes.

Winning tonight shouldn’t be that big of an issue. The boys put some quality shots are Henrik Lundqvist in Game 1, catching iron three separate times and scoring their lone goal. They know they can beat Lundy, they just need to tweak their accuracy. Oh dear God how they need to tweak their accuracy. I trust that that’s something that can take place, but ask me again after tonight’s game.

On the defensive end, as much as it disgusts me to say it, it’s absolutely imperative that they shut down Scott Gomez. The Red ‘n Black gave Gomez far too much room to operate in Game 1 and made his life far too easy, thus the three assists. The Clarkson/Zubrus/Rupp line did an effective job of shutting down the Jagr line; it’s up to Pandolfo/Madden/Gionta to step it up against the Gomez line.

In goal, let’s just get it over with. Marty made a huge mistake last game. What of it? I’m willing to grant him one big blunder in exchange for a year of ridiculous-even-by-his-standards play in front of a patchwork D that sports Mike Mottau as a top four guy. It was shocking because it was Marty and because it happens so rarely. You won’t see it again. Save for not covering the puck (or playing it too slowly) on the Callahan goal, Marty was stellar once again Wednesday night, and I expect he will continue to be this evening.

I really truly believe that if the Devils play the way they did in Game 1 - while not allowing Henrik to psych them into shooting wide every other play - the boys can win this game and ultimately this series. The key, however, is continuing to play that way.

Please make it so.

9:30 PM ET: I’m not happy, so I’m leaving now.  G’night all. 

9:25 PM ET: Dawes with the empty netter after a decent attempt with the pulled goalie.  4-1 Rangers and that’s the game.  Not the way to start it. 

9:23 PM ET: Devils timeout, they’re pulling Marty for the extra attacker.  Gulp. 

9:22 PM ET: Zubrus blasts one that hits the pipe!  1:30 left in the game.  Not gonna get a better chance than that this late. 

9:20 PM ET: Oh goddammit.  Turnover at the blue line, Gomez drives and Marty’s taken out of position, Avery’s left with an open net to drive it home and it’s 3-1.  Ugh. 

9:19 PM ET: Penalty up, some chances but not much.  Less than four minutes to go in the game.  C’mon guys! 

9:16 PM ET: Jamie Langenbrunner takes a stick to the face and goes down in a heap.  He’s okay it seems and the Devils go to the power play.  No blood, two minutes. 

9:11 PM ET: Good sustained bit of pressure there.  But nothing by way of rubber meeting cotton.  Or rubber meeting giant goaltender pads either for that matter, as most everything was wide or blocked in front. 

9:10 PM ET: Not a whole lot of chances either way since the shorthanded goal. 

9:03 PM ET:  Oh jeez…Shorthanded chance for the Rangers that Marty stops, but Brodeur doesn’t see Calahan driving around heind the net.  He goes to play it but Calahan knocks it off the stick and into the net.  2-1 Rangers on a rare Marty flub.  Dammit.

9:01 PM ET: Langenbrunner with a beautiful chance on the doorstep stopped by Lundqvist!  Dang. 

9:00 PM ET: Elias would have had an excellent chance had his stick not been held behind the net.  Luckily the refs see this as well and Rosival goes away for holding the stick.  Devils back to the PP! 

8:58 PM ET: Shots on goal are 5-0 Devils in the period, only 5 minutes in.  Good pressure, I like. 

8:56 PM ET: A little slower pace, but a couple of nice shots on goal.  That counts for something.  Right? 

8:53 PM ET: Period three now on! 

8:49 PM ET: I could swear there’s a commercial with our very own Mr. Joe Bechtel in it.  Or at least his long lost twin… 

8:35 PM ET: And that’s the end of the second and it’s 1-1 after two.  Whoooooo boy it’s gonna be a fun third period.  Come back and see! 

8:34 PM ET: Crazy glove save by Marty in the last minute of the period.  Yeah Marty.  Yeah. 

8:32 PM ET: GOOD GOD THE CHANCES!  Parise/Elias/Langenbrunner with chances on the doorstep galore and nothing doing!  You gotta bury one of those guys! 

8:29 PM ET: Asham rings one off the pipe!  He thought it was in and even put his arms up in victory.  But we all should have known better, it’s ARRON ASHAM. 

8:23 PM ET: Straka with a broken stick and Devils have essentially a five on three!  Crazy chances and Martin with a crazy stutter step, then shoots and scores!  1-1 game and a beautiful little move by Paulie Martin for the goal! 

8:22 PM ET: Scott Gomez says something on TV that you can’t say on TV.  And takes a penalty.  Not for the bad word though.  For hooking, it is.  Devils on the PP. 

8:20 PM ET: I would kill for some shot accuracy at this point in time.  Seriously. 

8:18 PM ET: My stomach is in knots. 

8:12 PM ET: Martin just misses the net on a slapshot, Calahan gets a rush up the other way and crashes in on Marty, dislodging the net.  Protect Marty guys, please. 

8:11 PM ET: FRANTIC penalty kill , but it’s killed nonetheless.   

8:08 PM ET: Nice chance by Gio but again he shoots it too high.  Tripping call on Pando when he loses an edge and again the Rangers go to the PP. 

8:03 PM ET: Shanahan with a shot, Gomez with either a screen or a tip and it’s 1-0 Rangers with the power play goal.  Dammit.  Shanahan gets the goal.

8:00 PM ET: We’re back, baby.  Period 2 underway.  Rock You Red seems to be a pretty big deal up there.  I approve also.  Devils remain on the PK due to Martin’s interference penalty.  First period shots were 8-8, and hits were 18-11 in favor of…well, I dunno, Doc didn’t say. 

7:43 PM ET: And thus is the end of period #1 of the 2008 playoffs.  I’ll be back in 17, will you? 

7:42 PM ET: A couple of wonky shots on Marty but he gets a piece of each.  Paul Martin takes a penalty for interference on Chris Drury in front of the net and with 10 seconds left in the first, the Devils go to the PK.

7:39 PM ET: Rangers with turnovers galore in their own end, the last taken away by Gio who misses high!  At least they’re aiming above the refridgerator doors on Lundy’s legs. 

7:38 PM ET: Oduya with a huge slapshot and bodies fly to the ground.  I don’t know how many he actually hit but it looked like a warzone for a minute there.

7:36 PM ET: Bryce Salvador’s back in, by the way.  He replaces Vitaly Vishvenski, who’s spending the evning in the press box. 

7:32 PM ET: Avery’s back in, though probably pissed that he’s less pretty now. 

7:30 PM ET: Penalty kill’t!  For those who are interested, Pittsburgh leads Ottawa 1-0 in the first. 

7:28 PM ET: This game is nothing if not exciting so far.  A post shot for each team and nothing but end to end hockey. 

7:27 PM ET: Sarge with a breakaway off a shorthanded turnover, nails the crossbar!  Oh jeez that would have been sweet! 

7:24 PM ET: Avery takes a puck to the face and is bloodied!  Avery heads off the ice and Oduya takes a slashing call simultanious to Avery taking rubber in the kisser.  Rangers PP. 

7:19 PM ET: Holy end-to-end hockey Batman!  Rangers get a three-on-two, Jagr clangs it off the post!  Nine minutes already played and scarcely a whistle.  Oh my, I don’t know if I’m in playoff livecapping shape just yet! 

7:18 PM ET: BIG drives by Andy Greene and John Madden turned away by Henrik.  Hello playoff hockey! 

7:17 PM ET: For two teams that enjoy play number 1-2-2, this game has been pretty wide open so far.  I’m impressed. 

7:14 PM ET: Devils power play, so far, not so pretty.  Sigh.  And that’s the end of that.

7:12 PM ET: Penalty on the Rangers - Paul Mara hooks Parise off a loose puck, and it’s time for a PSE&G Power Play! 

7:11 PM ET: The Devils are firey for sure tonight.  Gio went for a big hit on Gomez that just missed it’s mark. 

7:09 PM ET: Playoffs are underway! 

7:02 PM ET: Whoa Nelly, Chico’s taking the Rock The Red campaign seriously.  Why am I not surprised that Chico has such a…loud shirt?  Hah.  I approve nonetheless.

6:01 PM ET: Hark!  What spendid wonders await?  ‘Tis a livecap coming at thou this very eve!  Huzzah!  Stay(ith) tuned!

5:48 PM ET: Damn did we ever need that win.  I would’ve liked it to end about 45 minutes earlier, but you can’t beat that drama.  This series is setting up to be one for the ages. Devils with the home ice advantage will take on the Rangers starting later this week.  I can’t wait. Keep it here for post-game commentary, playoff preview action and of course, hilarious graphics featuring Sean Avery and Scott Gomez.  Til then, have a good night!

5:47 PM ET: Zach Parise and Patrick Elias: Clutchest players on Earth.

5:45 PM ET: Rangers stopped and Elias scores!!! Top shelf right over the shoulder of Lundqvist! Devils win! Devils win! Patricia is saved! Wooo!!!!! The streak is broken!

5:44 PM ET: Gomez scores. but Parise answers right back!!!!

5:43 PM ET: Lundqvist stones Langenbrunner. Scotty Gomez will have the 3rd and perhaps final shot on Brodeur.

5:43 PM ET: Brodeur stops the Devils-killer Nigel Dawes!

5:42 PM ET: Shanahan stopped. Gionta shanks it high.

5:41 PM ET: Shanahan will start for the Rangers, Gio for the Devils.

5:39 PM ET: Now Clarkson is getting in on what must be a fierce round of yo mamma jokes. The refs, who are standing in between, are just sitting there and almost look like they’re judging. Screw the shootout, insult contest!

5:39 PM ET: Gah!!! The Devils pile on the pressure for the last 30 seconds but cant put it home. Madden and Avery are jawing at each other on the bench as we head to a shootout.

5:37 PM ET: Pando breaks in and gets a shot on Lundqvist which is stopped, but he draws a penalty in the process. I heart Pando and Madden. They’ve been awesome today.

5:36 PM ET: The Devils once again controlled the puck, but couldn’t get a shot on net. Boo.

5:35 PM ET: 48 seconds to go in the powerplay for the Devils, which has once again looked like poop.

5:33 PM ET: Devils kill off the remainder of the penalty and the Devils draw an interference call! Powerplay for New Jersey! Come on guys!

5:32 PM ET: Oh yeah, and Patricia will totally have to wear a Rangers jersey for the first week of the playoffs. If that’s not an insta-jinx, I don’t know what is.

5:30 PM ET: It may seem marginal, but the Devils need the win here in my mind. There’s a big pride and momentum issue here; I don’t think anyone wants to lose 8 straight to a team headed into the playoffs

5:29 PM ET: Drury wins it clean, but there’s no one there and it goes all the way back to the Rangers zone. We’re headed to OT, which means the Devils have secured home ice for the playoffs.

5:28 PM ET: Elias to take the draw in the Devils zone. Drury for the Rangers.

5:27 PM ET: Brodeur stops play with 7.5 to go. Yikes!

5:25 PM ET: Jeeeeeeesus. Penalty on Madden with just under 30 to go. Rangers look like they’re gonna go with the 6-on-4 for the final 28 seconds of the game.

5:25 PM ET: Empty net, 30 to go.

5:23 PM ET: Two minutes to play and we could see Lundqvist head to the bench soon for the extra attacker. Remember, the Rangers need a regulation win to secure home ice for the playoffs.

5:21 PM ET: Parise with another great chance but shanks it wide! Great powerplay by the Devils but Lundqvist was superhuman for most of it. Still a tie game.

5:19 PM ET: Parise has a wide open net on a rebound, knocks a good shot on net but is absolutely robbed by Lundqvist. Parise can’t believe it and neither can I.

5:16 PM ET: Clarkson draws a holding call with just over 5 to play in the third and we’ve got a powerplay. He nearly breaks in with a great chance, but instead takes a cartoonish fall that only David Clarkson could pull off. Powerplay coming up!

5:14 PM ET: Not a lot of action here. It’s a chess game now, each team waiting for the other to make a mistake.

5:09 PM ET: Zubrus is back but gets blasted by Marc Staal shortly after taking the ice. He seems alright but boy is he gonna be aching tomorrow.

5:04 PM ET: Penalties cancel, even strength hockey.

5:01 PM ET: Whoa! a 5-on-5 fight breaks out behind Lundqvist after a flurry of Devils shots! That’s what I’m talking about! It looked more like a rugby scrum than a boxing match, but its something.

5:00 PM ET: There hasn’t been much fire to the Devil’s play since the first and the Rangers are pouncing on it. They’ve really got to turn it up if they want the W today.

4:57 PM ET: @#($)$^%! Zubrus gets clocked in a collision and is slow to get up and not more than 30 seconds later Jagr is left wide open in front for the goal. Tie game 2-2.

4:54 PM ET: Back in action for the third.

4:35 PM ET: That’s it for the second. We’ve still got the lead but the Devils have got to turn it up for the third if they hope to keep it. 2-1 New Jersey after 2.

4:30 PM ET: Madden with the hustle-of-the-year just flies down the ice and smacks a loose puck in on Lundqvist. Close but no cigar as Lundqvist just barely gets it with his shoulder.

4:27 PM ET: Clarkson is out of the box but the Rangers are putting on a lot of pressure in the Devils zone. Marty makes a couple of solid saves and the Devils are able to get it out for an icing. Wow, Madden and Pando good on the PK? Marty solid in net? I’m really revelatory here today.

4:25 PM ET: Madden and Pando break in for a 2-on-1 but Pandolfo shanks the shot. These guys have been amazing on the PK lately (what else is new), but can we get them on some lessons in performing under pressure? They haven’t converted on one of these short-handed odd man rushes yet, and they get like 4 a game!

4:23 PM ET: Clarkson takes a slashing call and the Devils are on their first PK of the game.

4:21 PM ET: Jagr took a little swipe at Colin White there. Considering the last time I saw him take a swing at a Devil he dislocated his shoulder during the first round of the playoffs a few years back, I for one say by all means break out the boxing gloves.

4:18 PM ET: A scrap breaks out after Brodeur stops Shanahan from the point. Despite the fact that the Rangers have been playing better, that was just their 7th shot overall.

4:17 PM ET: Langenbrunner is back on the bench and is A-Ok. whew.

4:12 PM ET: Parise snatches a clearing attempt by Lundqvist clear out of the air but can’t get it on net in time to catch him out of position. The Rangers momentum appears to have subsided for the moment. Langenbrunner is apparently not on the bench, but word is the equipment guy isn’t either. Fingers crossed.

4:08 PM ET: Dawes nearly breaks free again (this time with stick in hand), but fortunately gets stuffed by Oduya at the last second. What’s the deal with this guy?!

4:05 PM ET: Nigel Dawes gives his best effort in trying to recreate his shoulder goal from last time around chasing down a loose puck with no stick. Devils still looking like they took a pile of Xanex between periods.

4:02 PM ET: The momentum has swung in the Rangers direction early in the second. They’re putting a lot of pressure on and seem to be far more in sync so far.

3:59 PM ET: So uh, we’re back, but evidently no one told the Devils. Nigel Dawes sets up Chris Drury who slams one past Marty just 19 seconds in. 2-1 New Jersey.

3:41 PM ET: That’s it for the first period and minus their powerplay poopyness, you couldn’t really ask for a much better period. I won’t say Patricia is breathing easier since she has Bronchitis, but things so far are looking up for her Rangers jersey bet so far. Devils outshoot the Rangers 11-2 in the period, but keep in mind, our boys are yet to really play a full game against these guys and the record thus far reflects that, so let’s hope they keep it up. Back in a bit.

3:37 PM ET: Pretty crap powerplay by the Devils, which Gionta put an exclamation point on by having what appeared to be a large hunk of toilet paper hanging off the back of his pants.

3:35 PM ET: Devils Powerplay! I totally missed what it was, but evidently Martin Straka took a holding call. No matter though, we’ve got another man advantage.

3:33 PM ET: Martin shanks a one-timer on a 4-on-2 rush by the Devils. The pressure continues with about five to play at the Rock in the first period.

3:27 PM ET: And we’ve got another Devils goal! Rupp fires one that catches Henrik off guard and it’s a 2-0 Devils lead. Looked like Lundqvist was expecting a pass to Clarkson, who was breaking in on the opposite side. Have we named this line yet? Cos they’re proving to be pretty awesome.

3:23 PM ET: Lundqvist is really holding the Rangers up here. Devils are putting tremendous pressure on him and he’s coming up with a number of big saves. Charging penalty on the Rangers! Devils PP coming up!

3:20 PM ET: Madden, Pando and Gio break in on a 3-on-2 but Pandolfo just can’t get a handle on the puck with a wide open shot on King Henrik. Good back check by the Rangers.

3:20 PM ET: The Devils have come out with a lot of energy to start this one, but are also playing with a very calmed confidence. They’re not overdoing it or making a lot of mistakes. Its still early but a good sign nonetheless.

3:16 PM ET: Woo! Brodeur stuffs Jagr and Vishnevski just blasts a blueshirt for the second or third time in the game. Way to show up guys!

3:15 PM ET: Madden scores! A gritty hard-nosed goal as he pushes in a a rebound try for his 20th of the season. 1-0 baby!

3:13 PM ET: Parise gets a nice little takeaway but gets stuffed by Marc Staal inside the blueline. Elias rips one in on Lundqvist but he makes the glove save.

3:12 PM ET: Energetic start to the game here, although there have been a lot of stops and not a lot of shots. But everyone’s skating really well!

3:07 PM ET: And we’re underway! And what’s that? I can actually hear the crowd at the Rock! A miracle! Let’s get em boys!

3:02 PM ET: Last game of the season and a home-ice decider and we get Steve Cangialosi?! Come on! Doc better not be doing a freakin’ Pirates game today.

2:54 PM ET: Well as a bit of a primer for this one, I’m pumped. I really didn’t (as I’m sure many of you didn’t) want to get the Rangers for the playoffs, but now that it’s settled in I’m excited. I think it’ll be a great series, SO LONG AS we get this losing streak against these guys out of our system.

2:53 PM ET: Ok so it’s been 20 minutes and I’m a total failure as a graphics guy, so you guys will just have to do without once again. Sorry. BUT, the incredible imagery I paint with my live-capping skills should be enough right? right?!

2:33 PM ET: Hey all, getting started in a little because I’m testing out the graphic insertion lesson I just got from Professor Josh. So uh.. if I turn the site into an advertisement for Head-On or something, just check back in a few minutes I should (that’s a big should) be able to turn it back in no time.

Let us remember folks, if the Devils do not win this final tilt against the New York Rangers, your favorite friendly female fan (oh I killed that alliteration!) will don a Rangers jersey for an entire week on 2MA.

No one wants to see this, right?

Get it done boys, get it done.

Stick around for Mr. Stirling’s super awesome live-cap, and be sure to check back for a mighty post-game ‘cap from — you guessed it — your favorite friendly female fan who is hopefully not fuming and frantic, for sure.

I need to stop.

So it’s official.

Crap.

Of all the teams in the Eastern Conference, the Devils draw the Rangers for round one of the playoffs. This afternoon’s game decides home-ice advantage for the series. The Rangers need to win in regulation, the Devils just need to push it to overtime to lock up a potential game seven at the Rock.

Do I really need to say that this afternoon’s tilt in Newark is of the utmost importance? Let’s review. A win today:

- Lessens the sting of going 0-4-3 in the first seven meetings between the two.

- Gives the Devils home ice in the series, and therefore last line change.

- Ends that friggin’ “You can’t beat us” chant, at least for awhile.

Three good reasons to step it up this afternoon if I ever saw ‘em.

So here’s what we need to do. First things first…the game starts at 3 PM. So playing like they are aware of the start time is probably a good thing for the Devils, who seem to enjoy showing up unfashionably late to games these days.

Next up, keep Madden and Pando on Jagr like white on rice. Not Colin White, just the color. Jagr’s getting hot lately, netting power play goals like crazy. An aside to this key to victory, stay out of the penalty box. Seriously. It’s getting old.

And last and definitely not least…watch out for Nigel Dawes and his Shoulder of Doom. Kid’s got our number to the point where I almost wish Lou would give him an offer sheet next year, just to get him away from the competition.

Before you yell at me about a threadbare minor league system, I did say ALMOST wish.

A win this afternoon would be really swell, gang. I’m reminded of a regular-season finale against the Florida Panthers some eight years ago. A win gave the Devils the home-ice advantage against the very same Panthers in the first round of the playoffs, and we all know how that ended.

Kick some ass today, boys. It’d be greatly appreciated.

Stay tuned to 2MA this afternoon for the final regular-season livecap of the year with your host, Mr. Steve Stirling!

9:36 PM ET: That’s it to for me tonight! Stay tuned for rants and raves tomorrow and maybe another live-cap Sunday! Goodnight!

9:32 PM ET: The Rangers just went to overtime and Ottawa’s down 2-0, which means barring a crazy turn of events, we’ll be playing the blue shirts for home ice advantage on Sunday afternoon.

9:26 PM ET: That’s the game and its a forgettable one. If you’re not watching, to give you an idea of how poorly the Devils played tonight, even happy old Chico seems disgusted with them. 3-0 Flyers the final score.

9:21 PM ET: Let’s hope Sutter lays the smack down tonight and gets our boys in gear for Sunday, because it’s looking more and more like it’ll be a preview of our first round playoffs and in all likelihood we’ll be battling for the home advantage. Last minute here in philly.

9:19 PM ET: It’s Weekes’ Birthday! Happy 33rd! At least he gets to see some action on his big day.

9:14 PM ET: Well Weekes looks excited, but he’s about the only one. The Devils look like they’ve just given up and there’s still more than 6 minutes to play.

9:12 PM ET: Kevin Weekes is in the net for the remainder of the game. Marty didn’t play poorly by any means, his team just let him down. This is NOT the time the Devils need to have a game like this.

9:11 PM ET: Jesus. The Devils are just unraveling. 3-0 after another quick goal by the Flyers. Marty looks frustrated and may be coming out of the game.

9:10 PM ET: No more than three seconds after the faceoff in the Devils zone following the penalty call, Scotty Upshall drives one home and it’s a 2-0 game.

9:08PM ET: Zajac makes short work of that by taking a slashing minor and we’ll have 4-on-4 for a while before an abbreviated Flyers powerplay.

9:05 PM ET: Oduya gets tripped up behind the net and we’ve got another powerplay!

8:58 PM ET: Madden throws one in front for the best chance of the period. Pando gets taken out of the play and can’t mash it home though. Madden and Pandolfo have been having a solid game.

8:56 PM ET: Devils are controlling the play through the first five minutes, but none of their chances so far have been that stellar. The Flyers really need this one and don’t look like they’ll be taking many chances this period.

8:53 PM ET: Back at even strength and while New Jersey controlled the puck for most of the powerplay, I’m not sure they actually got a shot on goal there.

8:51 PM ET: Man it justs seems like the Devils can’t get anything on net.

8:50 PM ET: Back for the third and a Devils powerplay.

8:32 PM ET: Devils finish the period with their best flurry of the game. Langenbrunner draws a penalty after being suplexed by Flyer behind the net. Devils powerplay coming up to start the third! Wooeee, I think we’re in for fiery finish. Back in a bit.

8:27 PM ET: This has not been a pretty two periods of hockey. There seems like there’s a weird tension building, lots of false starts on face-offs, lots of messy play and little spats here and there.

8:25 PM ET: This one looks like its going to start getting ugly real soon. There’s a lot of scrapping going on and both teams are getting frustrated with their hit-or-miss play here in the second.

8:23 PM ET: In a crazy couple of minutes both teams killed off a brief 5 on 3. Devils don’t get anything done on the powerplay but look a little more alive. Both teams seem a half-step out of sync and the result has been nothing short of chaos.

8:20 PM ET: Wow! Martin gets taken down and we’ve got a 4 on 3 for the Devils that’ll turn into a brief 5 on 3 in a few seconds!

8:17 PM ET: While he’s been a rock since the new year, Johnny Oduya just pulled a classic ‘07 Oduya play and threw it over the net. It would have been a 5 on 3 for the Flyers but Mike Richards takes an interference call and its 4 on 3 for about a minute.

8:15 PM ET: I should stop saying things like that. The Flyers just put in a flurry of shots in a play that ended with Brodeur having a tea party with two other players in the net and a Devils penalty being called. Flyers powerplay coming up. I guess Doc and Chico don’t wanna tell me who’s in the box though so we’ll leave it at that.

8:13 PM ET: Pretty placid period so far. Oh geez. Looks like Mottau took a shot in the leg and is hurt. Guess 9 d-men wasn’t such a bad idea after all.

8:08 PM ET: White’s back out on the ice so it looks like everything’s alright. Whew.

8:05 PM ET: Langenbrunner and Lassi Kukkonen each get two minutes for scrapping behind the net. 4 on 4 action, but so far its been all Flyers. Can someone please break out the smelling salts? The Devils are like zombies out there!

8:02 PM ET: Neutral action so far. White looks like he just injured his wrist. Chico says its been bothering him. No good.

8:01 PM ET: And we’re back for the second!

7:40 PM ET: First perid comes to a close with a scrap at center ice. Nothing spectacular though, much like the Devils play through the first. Let’s hope they can get their hands on whatever the Flyers were smoking before they shot out of the gate. Back in 17!

7:39 PM ET: Parise slips and plows through Biron knocking the net off its moorings, but both seem alright.

7:37 PM ET: Three minutes to go in the first and it seems the Flyers have come down off their sugar high. Devils haven’t quite woken up yet but are looking a bit better.

7:34 PM ET: Just as an update of the out of town scores since they matter quite a bit these days, Carolina is down 2-1 and the Rangers are down by one with both games still in the first.

7:30 PM ET: The Flyers are intercepting just about every pass the Devils are making. Telegraphing passes does not a winner make.

7:26 PM ET: This game is getting real physical real quick. White and Vishnevski just landed some bone-crunchers.

7:22 PM ET: Madden breaks in with Pando on the odd man rush but can’t put it by Biron. Great chance though. Man it seems like we’re better shorthanded than we are at even strength these days.

7:20 PM ET: Turns out Mottau put the puck in the net. Asham in the box for hooking. AWESOME.

7:19 PM ET: Time and time again, the Devils are warned not to go out for cheesesteaks before games in Philly and time and time again they just don’t listen.

7:18 PM ET: Spoke too soon. Hartnell shovels one underneath Brodeur and we’ve got a 1-0 game. The Flyers are overwhelming New Jersey so far, and it looks like we’ve just taken a penalty too.

7:17 PM ET: Flyers are buzzing right now but Marty is shutting them down left and right.

7:14 PM ET: A high tempo start with a lot on the line for both teams. The ice has been tilted slightly in the Flyers favor so far.

7:11 PM ET: Alright so I’m only a few minutes late and Marty said hello with a number of great saves. I’ve gotta say, Philly is rocking tonight, let’s hope the boys can take them out of it quick.

6:41 PM ET: Hey guys and gals, just a pre-emptive strike to let y’all know there will be a live-cap tonight, but I may start it up a few minutes late. Wasn’t sure I’d be doing it tonight so I’ve gotta get some stuff done around the house, I’ll be back and ready to rock ASAP. See ya soon.

I do apologize for delay in the update of the ZUBBIECOUNTER. I’ve been sick with bronchitis. Let us just say, 2008 has not been a good year for poor Patricia so far.

Alas, here we are:

With a 2-1 overtime victory over the Islanders that I totally didn’t see at all, the Devils have officially clinched a playoff berth.

Yay!