NHLTALK202

The New Jersey Devils played the best game they have played all season last night, all 4 lines were rolling the D was doing a good job shutting down the Hawks high powered offense. Despite playing an ideal perfect game they found a way to lose 2-1 in a SO. That was a big point they fell short of last night and these standings will tell you why.

2nd – Buffalo Sabres GP:77 / P:96

3rd  – New Jersey Devils GP:77 / P:95

4th  – Pittsburgh Penguins GP:77 / P:95

So with the standings so close the Devils have to at least match what the Penguins are doing through the final 5 games of the season.

POSITIVES

Ilya Kovalchuk – Great game, played very hard and made things happen everytime he was on the ice. Last night after 1 period Kovalchuk had a goal, 4 shots and 6 attempted shots. Also congratulations to him on hitting the 40 goal mark for the 6th time in his career.

Patrik Elias – He is perfect for Kovalchuk, he is reliable on both ends of the ice and loves feeding Kovy one-timers in front.

Martin Brodeur – Played great all night long, it is to bad the Devils decided to stop playing Defense in the final minute which lead to a goal with 24 seconds remaining in the 3rd period.

Zach Parise – Played outstanding defense all night long, came back to help out the D, played along the boards, created chances and was a little spark plug all night long.

Jamie Langenbrunner – Played great on both sides of the ice all game long, finished off with 6 shots and a couple of hits.

NEGATIVES

Last minute D – Played great all game long but disappeared in the final minute, tough loss for the Devils after playing great all game long.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Devils PP: 0 for 0

Blackhawks PP: 0 for 0

MASKED MEN

Devils – Martin Brodeur 25-26 L

Blackhawks – Antti Niemi 32-33 W

3 STARS

1st star  – Antti Niemi (32-33 W)

2nd star – Ilya Kovalchuk (1G, 6 shots)

3rd star  – Jamie Langenbrunner (6 shots)

UP NEXT

The New Jersey Devils will head to Carolina for a tilt with the Hurricanes.

SIDE NOTES

According to Darren Dreger of TSN Philadelphia and Toronto are 2 of the teams that are interested in Cornell G Ben Scrivens.

TWITTER: @ToddNHLTALK2

Filed under: New Jersey Devils and tagged Antti Niemi, Ben Scrivens, Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks, Cornell, Jamie Langenbrunner, Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils, Philadelphia Flyers, Toronto Maple Leafs