The Devils avoided going 0-3 for the first time in their history
by defeating the New York Rangers by a score of 2-1. Bobby Holik
opened the scoring 22 seconds into the first period, and Patrik
Elias tallied the game-winner half way through the third when he
poked a rebound past rookie Ranger goalie Dan Cloutier. It took
another stellar performance from goaltender Martin Brodeur who
made 24 saves, including two breakaways in the third period by
Kevin Stevens and Niklas Sundstrom, to solidify the Devils first
win of the season.
The Devils started off the season rather slow, but improved their
record to 3-3-0 by putting together back-to-back victories over
the Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins, 3-2 and 3-1,
respectively. The game against the Bruins marked the first
start for goalie Chris Terreri in a Devil uniform since the 1995
season. Terreri was solid while allowing only one goal on 21
shots.
Making History
On October 16, 1998, the Devils-Rangers game was the first
regular season game to implement the two-referee system. Denis
Larue and Mark Faucette called a tight game, allocating nine
power-play opportunities (seven for the Rangers, two for the
Devils). "I was in the way all night," Faucette admitted. The
overall first impression of the new dual-ref system is thought to
be "different, but fair."
This new system will certainly cut down on several of the
obstruction penalties, and will decrease the pushing and shoving
away from the play. I just hope it doesn't get to the point that
every time a smaller guy is touched, or a faster skater is slowed
down that a penalty will be called. That's all we need - Slow the
game down even more!
Falling Into Their Own Trap
The Devils put the "neutral zone trap" on the map, and perfected
this system to win them their first-ever Stanley Cup in 1995.
Over the next several years, many teams adopted the trap to the
point that it got out of control. Stop me if you heard this one,
but the Devils fell victim to their own system after they got
bounced from the 1998 playoffs in the first round to the Ottawa
Senators, who handily beat the Devils at their own game. Now,
almost four years after New Jersey's initial success, something
is being done to try and limit the trap.
Even though the officials are cracking down on the clutching and
grabbing, the Devils continue to play the same defensive style.
Sure, Rob Ftorek is slightly more offense-oriented then Jacques
Lemaire ever was, but the Devils defensive system will not
change. The result? Well, let's just say, get ready to kill some
penalties.
In their first six games, the Devils have had 16 power-play
opportunities, compared to their opponent's 32 power plays. So
far, special teams haven't burned them. The Devils are 3/16 on
the man-advantage and opponents are a meager 5/32. If they
continue to play this system, and the referees keep calling the
games as tightly as they have been, the Devils will eventually
get burned. Time will tell.
Status Quo on the Niedermayer Front
Scott Niedermayer and Devils GM Lou Lamoriello are still about
one year and $250,000 apart in the most recent contract
negotiations. Niedermayer, a Group II restricted free agent,
signed a 25-game contract with the Utah Grizzlies of the IHL last
Monday. One day later, Lamoriello was quoted as saying, "We're
always talking, hopefully, we'll get this worked out." Scott
Niedermayer is the "total package" and is easily this team's best
all-around player. Hey, Lou... do whatever it takes to get this
guy back in the lineup.
