Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils lose third straight, Clarkson avoids hearing, other notes

Really surprised Clarkson didn't even get a call from the sheriff. What exactly was the point in leaving his feet to that degree? Clearly there was some intent in going high on Dubinsky but he turned in time.

Really surprised Clarkson didn't even get a call from the sheriff. What exactly was the point in leaving his feet to that degree? Clearly there was some intent in going high on Dubinsky but he turned in time.
- keatondixon

To be honest I think Clarkson was just trying to start a fight to try and gain some momentum. That and he wanted to hit him hard for some things Dubinsky had done earlier in the game.

Really surprised Clarkson didn't even get a call from the sheriff. What exactly was the point in leaving his feet to that degree? Clearly there was some intent in going high on Dubinsky but he turned in time.
- keatondixon

I think he was just trying to agitate but a really stupid way to go about it. Clarkson usually never does this and hopefully it won't happen again. If Duby wanted to pick at something about Clarkson this would have been appropriate...

I think he was just trying to agitate but a really stupid way to go about it. Clarkson usually never does this and hopefully it won't happen again. If Duby wanted to pick at something about Clarkson this would have been appropriate...
- rmdevil313

I agree. Clarkson is a very physical player but rarely goes over the edge or plays dirty. Luckily he didn't make contact with Dubinsky's head. He did with a few fists moments later but at least that was clean.

First off, that was a fantastic game last night. There was a lot of emotion shown from every player on each team, and it was played with playoff like intensity. There were a lot of hits, blocked shots, fights and some good goaltending at both ends of the ice. Though there were not a lot of shots taken by either team, there were some very good scoring chances. I certainly would like to see a Rangers/Devils playoff series at some point this season. It would be a blast to cover. The season series is tied at two, by the way.

We think alike Todd. I think this would be fantastic. I wouldn't even care if we lose, the rangers are a worthy team to lose to this year. We have played them evenly and if we can play spoiler on their season I would love it.

First off, that was a fantastic game last night. There was a lot of emotion shown from every player on each team, and it was played with playoff like intensity. There were a lot of hits, blocked shots, fights and some good goaltending at both ends of the ice. Though there were not a lot of shots taken by either team, there were some very good scoring chances. I certainly would like to see a Rangers/Devils playoff series at some point this season. It would be a blast to cover. The season series is tied at two, by the way.

We think alike Todd. I think this would be fantastic. I wouldn't even care if we lose, the rangers are a worthy team to lose to this year. We have played them evenly and if we can play spoiler on their season I would love it.
- rmdevil313

Haha, glad we agree. I won't make my predictions until playoff time if they meet but I think it would go seven games either way.

I think the Devils/Rangers rivalry has had a rebirth! Its back.
We have not seen a tempo, hard nosed, exciting (despite only 2 goals) game between these two in quite some time.

This is hockey!

I think the Devils/Rangers rivalry has had a rebirth! Its back.
We have not seen a tempo, hard nosed, exciting (despite only 2 goals) game between these two in quite some time.

This is hockey!
- Devils Advocate

Agreed. Will be very interesting if they meet in the playoffs at any point. Devils play the Rangers within the next five games, too. Should be good.

Agreed. Will be very interesting if they meet in the playoffs at any point. Devils play the Rangers within the next five games, too. Should be good.
- Todd.Cordell

Yes, the next few meetings will be exciting!

I like how the NHL designed the schedule this year and divisional games on the back end...when it counts most!

Brace yourself, complaints about no hearing are coming.

Brace yourself, complaints about no hearing are coming.
- Pomegrant

To be honest it doesn't really matter if the readers complain or disagree with me. I state my opinion and they state their own. As long as they have logic and reasons to support their opinion I'm all ears.

Meh, he went high yeah, but he didn't look like he was going high trying to injure him if you ask me. It looked like he was going high to piss him off into fighting him. I like Clarkson, even though he burns the leafs every time we play the Devils.

Was a hard fought game , sucked being in MSG in my Kovy jersey but thats the life of a die hard , The Devils need to get more shots on goal plain and simple , Tallinder and Zajac need to get back into the lineup , and for the next Devils , Rangers game I think both Janssen and Boulton should be in the lineup maybe even on seperate lines its going to be a battle and we cant have clarkson spending 20 mins in the box again .

Was a hard fought game , sucked being in MSG in my Kovy jersey but thats the life of a die hard , The Devils need to get more shots on goal plain and simple , Tallinder and Zajac need to get back into the lineup , and for the next Devils , Rangers game I think both Janssen and Boulton should be in the lineup maybe even on seperate lines its going to be a battle and we cant have clarkson spending 20 mins in the box again .
- Jeff_121

Not too sure about that. Janssen and Boulton on the ice at the same time is a recipe for a goal against especially like a team like the rangers.

To be honest it doesn't really matter if the readers complain or disagree with me. I state my opinion and they state their own. As long as they have logic and reasons to support their opinion I'm all ears.
- Todd.Cordell

I think the intent to injure was definitely there. Why else would he of jumped so high? With that said no suspension should be given. Maybe just a small fine.

Brace yourself, complaints about no hearing are coming.
- Pomegrant

Won't get one from me, it wasn't a hit with intent to injure. It was more of a way to goad Dubinsky into a fight, which is exactly what happened.

Clarkson is too important a player, for the Devils this season, to be stuck in the box for almost a third of the game. He has really rounded out to be a solid power forward.

I guess I am in the minority because I thought last night's game was a snoozefest, sans the after the whistle stuff.

The intensity was there on both sides but the offensive execution was poor for both and the game lacked a fluid pace.

Yes there was playoff-like physicality and the defenses were solid but if yesterday's game was a sample of what a seven games series would be like against NJ, I hope they don't meet in the playoffs.

Won't get one from me, it wasn't a hit with intent to injure. It was more of a way to goad Dubinsky into a fight, which is exactly what happened.

Clarkson is too important a player, for the Devils this season, to be stuck in the box for almost a third of the game. He has really rounded out to be a solid power forward.

I guess I am in the minority because I thought last night's game was a snoozefest, sans the after the whistle stuff.

The intensity was there on both sides but the offensive execution was poor for both and the game lacked a fluid pace.

Yes there was playoff-like physicality and the defenses were solid but if yesterday's game was a sample of what a seven games series would be like against NJ, I hope they don't meet in the playoffs.
- MidnightMarauder

If these two teams meet in the playoffs (I would not like that) the winner will come out bandaged, scarred, tired... which could impact the next round. If I am any other East team Id love this matchup to happen over any other.

Won't get one from me, it wasn't a hit with intent to injure. It was more of a way to goad Dubinsky into a fight, which is exactly what happened.

Clarkson is too important a player, for the Devils this season, to be stuck in the box for almost a third of the game. He has really rounded out to be a solid power forward.

I guess I am in the minority because I thought last night's game was a snoozefest, sans the after the whistle stuff.

The intensity was there on both sides but the offensive execution was poor for both and the game lacked a fluid pace.

Yes there was playoff-like physicality and the defenses were solid but if yesterday's game was a sample of what a seven games series would be like against NJ, I hope they don't meet in the playoffs.
- MidnightMarauder

Rangers trapped and got a lucky goal. It was how we used to play so no Devils fan should complain about last night's game. We got beat out by a team of players who have all bought into a system and are playing great hockey.

I think the misconduct was a BS penalty but yeah, we needed Clarkson out there but more importantly we needed to do something different on offense. We did the same thing for three periods and only got a handful of shots then lost.

Won't get one from me, it wasn't a hit with intent to injure. It was more of a way to goad Dubinsky into a fight, which is exactly what happened.

Clarkson is too important a player, for the Devils this season, to be stuck in the box for almost a third of the game. He has really rounded out to be a solid power forward.

I guess I am in the minority because I thought last night's game was a snoozefest, sans the after the whistle stuff.

The intensity was there on both sides but the offensive execution was poor for both and the game lacked a fluid pace.

Yes there was playoff-like physicality and the defenses were solid but if yesterday's game was a sample of what a seven games series would be like against NJ, I hope they don't meet in the playoffs.
- MidnightMarauder

It certainly lacked high end scoring chances, but it wasn't like the teams were sitting back. Both teams did a great job positioning wise and getting sticks in the lanes, and neither team gave an inch along the boards. It was a fight for every inch of ice last night.

I think the intent to injure was definitely there. Why else would he of jumped so high? With that said no suspension should be given. Maybe just a small fine.
- nookie649

I don't think it was that bad. He jumped but didn't come in with speed and the hit wasn't hard at all. I agree with the latter.

Won't get one from me, it wasn't a hit with intent to injure. It was more of a way to goad Dubinsky into a fight, which is exactly what happened.

Clarkson is too important a player, for the Devils this season, to be stuck in the box for almost a third of the game. He has really rounded out to be a solid power forward.

I guess I am in the minority because I thought last night's game was a snoozefest, sans the after the whistle stuff.

The intensity was there on both sides but the offensive execution was poor for both and the game lacked a fluid pace.

Yes there was playoff-like physicality and the defenses were solid but if yesterday's game was a sample of what a seven games series would be like against NJ, I hope they don't meet in the playoffs.
- MidnightMarauder

I'm with you.

Rangers trapped and got a lucky goal. It was how we used to play so no Devils fan should complain about last night's game. We got beat out by a team of players who have all bought into a system and are playing great hockey.

I think the misconduct was a BS penalty but yeah, we needed Clarkson out there but more importantly we needed to do something different on offense. We did the same thing for three periods and only got a handful of shots then lost.
- Pomegrant

Boooooo, the trap is so boring

It certainly lacked high end scoring chances, but it wasn't like the teams were sitting back. Both teams did a great job positioning wise and getting sticks in the lanes, and neither team gave an inch along the boards. It was a fight for every inch of ice last night.
- rmdevil313

It was as good a defensive game, by both teams, as you can get. But I think both teams were not sharp offensively at all; seemingly both teams being fixated on shutting the other down.

The Devils can be dangerous in the playoffs; Brodeur looks like he wound the clocks back a few years.

As balanced a forward unit as there is in the East.

It was as good a defensive game, by both teams, as you can get. But I think both teams were not sharp offensively at all; seemingly both teams being fixated on shutting the other down.

The Devils can be dangerous in the playoffs; Brodeur looks like he wound the clocks back a few years.

As balanced a forward unit as there is in the East.
- MidnightMarauder

You're probably the most truthful Rangers fan that has ever commented on my blog. Despite your dislike for the Devils (assuming here) you give them credit where it's due.