New Series, New Hope
Well…what an exciting game on Friday. Fans, bloggers, and analysts of both teams anticipated a higher scoring, up tempo, and intensified game with heightened physical play, which they certainly got. I’ll admit I gave up any hope I clung onto after the first period concluded, convinced the Flyers were set to take over the game and establish a comfortable two game to none lead as the series returns to their home turf. I was going to submit a review for game one, but figured anything I’d have said wasn’t already said. What I will say is both teams stepped their play up last night with the outcomes of both games in Newark resetting the stand and practically makes for an entirely new series as the Devils venture into oppressing territory.
A few thoughts on the team’s play…
I thought Patrik Elias and Zach Parise played like two men possessed on Friday after making up for their arguable absence in Game One. It’s clear what players show up for each team can make the difference in the outcome and ultimately the series. While it’s better said than done, if Elias and Parise, two vital parts of the Devil’s core and offense continue to maintain that level of intensity in their play, it could help carry this team to untold distances.
I don’t want to say the officiating played a factor in Game Two, but I felt it was one-sided. The officials appeared to hawk the Devils, which resulted in two Flyer power play goals. Out of the fourteen penalties that were called, there was almost a two-to-one ratio between the Devils the Flyers, who had five penalties called against them, while the Devils received nine. Speaking of special teams, it was encouraging the Devils were able to finally convert on the power play, but the Flyers continued to utilize these advantageous situations, which got them a pair of goals. I thought the Devils penalty kill was decent last night, and I liked how Lemaire deployed Parise, who got the team a riveting shorthanded goal to open up the scoring.
While Illya Kovalchuk continued to be the game’s main difference maker, I think he’s settled down some compared to Game One and the fact he notched his first goal, point, and win of the playoffs lifts a huge burden off his shoulders. Although his goal was an open net, it relieved the Devils of a great stress and secured them a very important win, while giving Kovy some assurance that he’s still able to contribute and score. We all know Kovy feels a constant need to prove himself since he arrived in New Jersey, likely due to the high expectations that came with him, considering how Lou Lamoriello officially declared his team in Stanley Cup contention by making the move. I say Kovy builds on his performance from last night as we all know he can make a huge difference if his A-game awakens. With Kovalchuk on topic though, I was a little annoyed at his hat trick of penalties, although you have to admire and argue they were committed in the heat of the moment and generated from his own intensity. Let’s exile his prior playoff performance in 2007, when he was a frequent visitor in the sin bin and use the excuse this being only his second playoff series and first time on a contending team has him going…perhaps a little too much.
Like Kovalchuk, I thought Colin White played spectacular (penalties aside). He had a goal, was a plus two, played a sound physical game, and was wreaking havoc in the corners and hawking the front of the net. Don’t shun me for saying, but his play reminded me of him in his younger years. Good looks Colin.
Game three starts tonight at six. The Flyers are going to be fired up to play on their home ice in front of their home crowd (who I hope are more supportive than the Devil’s home crowd was to them…I doubt you’ll hear any “Marty!” chants at the Wachovia Center like how you heard the “Bouch!” chants every time he touched the puck during the past two games), so the Devils have to carry over the momentum they gained from Game Two and keep their intense play up. I say the series will be decided when these teams return to Newark for Game Five.
Lets see what happens.
On a few side notes, I watched the Caps/Habs game last night and to say the Washington Capitals aren’t the most exciting team to watch is ludicrous in my humble opinion. The up tempo style they play, unrelenting offense that didn’t give up after being down by three, and how that team utilizes one another is just astounding and admirable. That’s the series I look to catch games of, long as it doesn’t interfere with the Devils game times.
I’m also looking at this year’s playoff match ups, the teams and players that are participating and ask the question…could this year’s playoffs and match ups be the best set we as hockey fans have seen in some time? A little something to think about.
