As the second overtime started, Sunday morning was approaching as the Devils and Senators were at a stalemate. But a Joe Corvo miscue led to a Jamie Langenbrunner, AKA “Mr. Clutch”, breakaway game winning goal. The capacity CAA crowd erupted onto their feet and the Devils won 3-2. Martin Brodeur was fantastic through out and was really the difference maker in the game. However, without a doubt, the Senators outplayed the Devils from the 2nd period to the rest of the game.
The first period was dominated by New Jersey and Brian Gionta scored on the power play to make a 1-0 lead. Then, with 2.7 seconds left in the first period, Sergei Brylin scored to make it 2-0, which the goal had to be reviewed. It was determined that the puck had indeed crossed the line with .2 seconds remaining. The Devils outshot the Senators 16-5.
But with the resiliency of the Senators, they came storming back and scored the power play with a Daniel Alfreddson power play goal early in the second period. The Senators dominated through the second and third periods with a 26-8 shot advantage. But Martin Brodeur was spectacular and towards the end of the third period, the Senators pulled Emery and scored to tie the game. A stunned CAA crowd watched their two goal lead equalized as the game would head into two overtimes with Langenbrunner with the game winning goal.
Game 2 marked the 11th game with Lou Lamoriello behind the bench since Julien was fired. Here are my observations with the differences between Julien and Lamoriello. Without a doubt, Lamoriello commands more respect behind the bench and is a calm positive voice for his players. The team is more versatile than before. Under Julien, they would play defensively and the forwards were constantly trapping and concentrating in playing well in their own zone. No matter what the game situation brought, they trapped and did not take risks. Make no mistake, the Devils meager regular season offense is now a high octane “two line” offensive power in the playoffs. Depending upon the situation, they can beat teams in two different ways. They can trap and block shots with positional defense in order to shut down their opponents defensively, or they can be more aggressive and open up the ice, but have to rely more on Martin Brodeur. It all depends upon the game situation. Moreover, that is the difference in the Devils’ game plan right now.
Ottawa Senators, on paper, are a much better talent and definitely a team on a mission. Give them credit. They are a true playoff team with attitude. But like I said in the Woo Report, it is about execution, not potential. The Devils need to stay out of the penalty box because the Senators are scoring on their power play. The game tying goal last night came with the net empty. The Devils are a better road team and I would expect them to take more shots on net than they did the previous two games. Last night displayed some gorgeous fancy passing, but just too many. Pucks were being turned over in the slot with Ottawa making the transition on offense. If the Devils are to win in this series, they need to capitalize on their biggest asset, which are the intangibles of Stanley Cup winning experience. They know what it takes to win and Game 3 should be interesting if Ottawa’s new found character can overcome the Devils' disposition.
Side notes:
“Nothing ever gets done around here.” quote of the day (Heard by a Devils fan)
Busy day at the Meadowlands. “Champions on Ice” show at 12:00PM at the CAA. And the Giants’ draft day party at Giants Stadium. I met quite a few Ottawa Senators fans. They were one of the classiest hockey fans I have ever met and the city should be proud for how they presented themselves.
I spoke to a Devils fan that purchased tickets to Game 2 and was picking up the tickets at the box office. Now, I will reserve comment with all of the problems I have experienced with the Meadowlands box office. But she walked far from the Giants Stadium parking lot to get to the box office and the employee told her to come back because it was too early. It was 5:30PM and the game started at 8:00PM. By arguing, she got her tickets. But here is the problem. This Meadowlands employee mistakenly gave her tickets to Round 2 Home Game 3 and she was denied access to the game. She and her boyfriend went through much trouble to get the situation resolved. I can sympathize because I know what it is like to deal with that box office in the past before I was a season ticket holder.
I hope the NJSEA would really try to make an effort and keep all the concession stands open during the 3rd period and beyond. NHL overtimes can be long and when you have a capacity crowd wanting food and beverages, please keep them open. Fans were waiting for at least 20 minutes in line and they would close the lines down. Now Devils and a few Senators fans waited in line for no reason. And they are slow to begin with because of the way they are set up.
Has anyone seen the movie, “Miracle” with Kurt Russell? Think of the scene when Herb Brooks made his team skate after an exhibition game in Norway. Then suddenly, the lights went out. Exactly the same thing happened to many Devils fans waiting to leave in the parking lot at Giants Stadium. One Devils fan yelled, “Tell him to give me the keys. I will lock up.” And chants of “Again” and then that infamous whistle was the battle cry to get the Meadowlands to turn on the lights back on. This was about less than an hour after the game had ended.
Magic Number: 11
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