Hawks vs. Devils

As I posted yesterday, I think we're still a few games away from worrying about the Hawks. Even if they keep losing, as long as they're out-shooting their opponents by 10 shots a game, I'm not gonna mind too much. Sure you want it to lead to goals, and you definitely start to wonder about our defense and goalkeeping, but you just have to be able to ride out the bad break streaks. It's just the nature of sport.

All the same, it'd be nice to get a statement W to build a bit of momentum around. Going into New Jersey, the #2 seed in the East and the lone Top 4 team in either conference playing really well right now, and getting a W when Martin Brodeur attempts to set the career wins record? That's a statement.


The Devils won three Cups between 94-95 and 02-03, a run rivaled in this era only by the Wings. However, since that last Cup, they haven't even made it back to the Conference Finals, despite averaging over 100 points during the last 4 seasons. With 93 points and 14 games left, another 100 point season is in the works. Is another early exit in the playoffs?

Not if the Devils can stay as hot as they have been lately. Despite losing Brodeur for nearly 4 full months (November through February), the Devils have hung around near the top of the East. With his return, they've launched themselves into position for the #1 seed (trailing Boston by 6 points, but having 3 games in-hand) thanks to a mere 5 losses in the past two months. Yeah. Their 24 home wins are 4th most in the NHL, so the face-painters are a tough crowd to play in front of.

Long known as a defense-first team, the Devils are definitely scoring, ranking in the league's top 10 in goals. Their power play sits around the top 10 as well. That's thanks to a slew of weapons young and old. Parise (#9 - 40 G, 42 A) has elevated from a 30-goal scorer (twice) to a 40-goal guy, and could be the top American-born player in the game today. Longtime Devil Elias (#26 - 28 G, 45 A) is having his best-season since the lock-out, while Langenbrunner (#15 - 23 G, 37 A) is another high-producing multi-Cup winning vet.

Youngsters Zajac (#19 - 19 G, 39 A) and Clarkson (#23 - 15 G, 13 A) have both emerged as impact guys, while vets Gionta (#14 - 15 G, 36 A), Zubrus (#8 - 14 G, 21 A), and Rolston (#12 - 14 G, 12 A) are stable producers. This team is tough in the face-off circle, as Zajac, Madden (#11), Zubrus, and Holik (#16) all are over 50%, with the 4th liner Holik up near 60%.

Despite missing Brodeur for those four months, the Devils remain the NHL's stingiest defense, especially impressive given that their PK is just slightly above average. Martin (#7 - 4 G, 22 A, 24:19 ATOI) anchors a balanced blue line, while Oduya (#29 - 6 G, 21 A, 21:02 ATOI) also logs a good amount of time. Salvador (#24 - 3 G, 11 A, 19:51 ATOI) and White (#5 - 1 G, 16 A, 19:14 ATOI) round out their top pairings, while Mottau (#27 - 1 G, 11 A, 17:54 ATOI) and recently acquired Havelid (#28 - 2 G, 15 A, 20:32 ATOI) give the Devils 6 solid defenders.

With such a high-powered offense backed by a great defense, it's little surprise that the plus-minuses are all solid to outstanding. Zajac, Parise, and Langenbrunner are all above a +25, while defensemen Mottau, White, Oduya, and Martin are all over a +20. No regular is lower than a -3. Langenbrunner wears the "C" while Madden and Elias sport the "A." Clarkson (127 PIM) and Rupp (#17 - 114 PIM) are their guys most likely to drop the gloves. And if you're a patriot - Parise, Langenbrunner, Gionta, Rolston, Martin, and Mottau are all Americans.

Finally, the Devils of recent vintage have ultimately been about one man - Brodeur (#30 - 2.06 GAA, .922 Sv% in 18 games). The guy hasn't lost a step, posting 4 SHO in those 18 starts. The fact that he'll be fresh and back to full speed come the playoffs is a scary, scary thought, especially given how strong the team is elsewhere. While Brodeur was out, Clemmenson (#35 - 2.39 GAA, .917 Sv %) certainly held his own, and deserves a ton of credit for keeping the Devils in the mix these past four months.

The Hawks have a chance to win a statement game or become a footnote in history tonight. Brodeur has a shot at a much deserved record for wins by a goalie (eclipsing the mark Patrick Roy set only a few years ago, one he took over from Terry Sawchuk of the old Gordie Howe Red Wings dynasty). Let's hope he does it Friday night when they host the Wild.