The New Jersey Devils are starting to get hot again and now Patrik Elias is starting to feel good about himself again scoring wise. "It happened quick," Elias said. "I knew the pass was there and I just let it go and it went in." He has scored four goals in the last seven games and has six game winning goals. When he is not hesitating and letting his talent take over with confidence, he is a dangerous sniper and this only helps the Devils offensively as they try to further solidify themselves in first place in the Atlantic Division. Since Langenbrunner was given the captaincy after returning from injury, Elias needed to find his scoring touch and now that the pressure is off, he has flourished and starting to find a rhythm.

But this was part of Brent Sutter’s master plan since the beginning. Tear down what was left from the old regime and build it back the right way. And that is exactly what has happened to the New Jersey Devils. Elias had a slow start to the season, but all of the Devils’ players were given a clean slate and some even had to define their game for the betterment of the team. Elias, like Zubrus, had a tough time putting up numbers, but they were winning the battles in the corners. Little by little, Sutter’s attention to detail has paid off and the Devils are steam rolling the Eastern Conference. And ironically enough, Elias is starting to lead the way.

The Devils penalty killing units have been getting the job done by doing what they are supposed to be doing: KILL. But the power play is starting see some life and energy and as we approach the second half of the season, the Devils need to continue the pressure in the offensive zone and attack the net. The blue line has been doing a great job of keeping the puck in the zone but need to step more by taking some shots from the point, (cough cough Andy Greene) If Sutter wants consistency on the power play, he needs to have a threat from the point to help spread out the 2-2 or 1-2 penalty killing zone defense and the shooting lanes would be open in the slot. They have been doing this better, but it is not enough. They need to shoot more and the forwards need to attack looking for the rebounds. Again, it has been getting better, but they need to have respectability from the point.

The Devils are in first place. The Rangers are in last place. What a great day!

The Mesmer Miracle

Who would have ever thought that after the tribute I wrote to Bill Mesmer, there was a rally to have all 22 cats from being put to sleep? I can’t thank all of the Devils fans that wanted to help out and adopt each of them hairy fur balls. It was very moving. However late Thursday afternoon, my friend and staffer called me when I was in a meeting to say that all of these happy furry friends were adopted and none were to be put down. Amazing story. This is what hockey is all about.

Thanks Bill. You saved me the trouble of posting this all over the state of New Jersey

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