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Stan Fischler Where do the Devils go from here? Apr 07, 2006
Is it time for Devils fans to once and for all release their playoff exhale?
Regarded as one of the league's top forwards, Elias appears to have regained most of his fantastic form. But in conversations with him, I discern that there is still a way to go before mint condition is realized. And that won't happen this season. By contrast, Gomez and his miniscule mate, Brian Gionta, have been making beautiful music all year. Gomez has added a scoring touch to his play making while Gionta -- with 42 goals -- is only four red lights away from tying Pat Verbeek’s club record. For the entire season I was part of the chorus warbling the tune, “Where’s the second line?” Clearly, the Devils could not succeed with the sticks of Gionta and Gomez producing themselves. Moving Elias to the second line – alongside Jamie Langenbrunner and Sergei Brylin – was a good idea in principle but not so bountiful in practice. The good news is that John Madden and Jay Pandolfo appear to have found their scoring touch. Madden, in particular, looks like a revived hockey player. The weekend tests will go along way to determining where the Devils land in the standings. Martin Brodeur usually plays an inspired game when visiting home town Montreal and the Rangers generally produce an enthusiastic effort whenever the Devils face them. In his role as acting coach, Lou Lamoriello has been playing mix and match with his defense. Brian Rafalski remains the workhorse while Paul Martin and Colin White have been part of the core. Newcomers Ken Klee and Brad Lukowich, after a bad start have been learning the Devils' system while getting more ice time. David Hale, Tommy Albelin and Richard Matvichuk have been rotated in and out of the lineup with reasonable success. The bromide has it that the Devils play their best games against the best teams. If that’s the case, they should be up for both Montreal and New York. If not – nothing is in the bag! |
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