After two straight losses, the Devils have little time to waste.  They host the Rangers tonight and LA Kings tomorrow.  The Devils are no strangers to their cross- river rivals who have captured all four meetings thus far.  Despite the four-game losing streak to the Rangers (0-6-3 if you include the Islanders), New Jersey remains three points ahead in the Atlantic Division, but two points behind first place Philadelphia.  We enter a crucial stretch of hockey, the final two plus months of the 2007-08 regular season.

The Devils have recently slumped, dropping two straight in dramatic fashion.  Instead of holding onto one or two goal leads, New Jersey has atypically faltered in the final 20 minutes.

Immediately following the All Star break, Pittsburgh paid a visit to the Rock without captain Sidney Crosby.  The Devils jumped out to leads of 1-0 and 2-1 before collapsing 4-2.  The Penguins scored three unanswered to capture the important two points in a division separated by merely seven points.

Two days earlier, the Devils stormed out a three-goal lead over visiting Montreal, entering the third up 3-1.  Then the Devils fell apart in the final 20 minutes, allowing the Canadiens to earn a 4-3 win.  Head coach Brent Sutter believed that the Devils did not take advantage of a 5-on-3 late in the middle frame, giving Montreal momentum into the final stanza.  The Devils, who committed five third-period penalties, were outshot 20-3 in the third period and 32-13 for the game.  Afterwards, Sutter ordered a 30-minute team stationary bicycle workout, according to Tom Gulitti, who covers the Devils for the Record.

The Devils annihilated the Flyers 7-3 before their untimely lackadaisical effort against Montreal. Defenseman Johnny Oduya had a career night in Phily, but infuriated Devils fans since the beginning of the season, earning the nickname Oh-No-Duya.

In fact, New Jersey’s last three losses have been come-from-behind wins for the opposition.

Before Montreal’s pathetic showing, the Panthers avenged a 3-2 loss on Jan. 2nd with a stunning 2-1 win.  Entering the final period down 1-0, Florida scored two goals 77 seconds apart to upset the Devils.  Reserve goalie Craig Anderson ensured a Panthers victory with 31 saves, while New Jersey ensured a loss with five scoreless power plays.

However, the Devils have seen several positive signs lately, especially on their power play.  They are 8-16 after going 0-15 in a four game stretch.  The Devils manufactured power play goals in eight January contests, breaking the previous monthly high of six, in October.  With a 5-3 record in these games, the Devils need more consistency in which they produce on special teams.  They were 9-0 in November and December when they scored on the power play.

With 18 back-to-back games in the final 33, there is also added pressure on aging 35-year-old goaltender Martin Brodeur.  Gulitti reported on his blog that Sutter said Brodeur would start the remainder of the season until otherwise noted.

"You've got to assume Marty is going to play until told otherwise," Sutter said after this morning’s practice.

While many might disagree with Sutter’s philosophy, nobody disagrees about Patrik Elias’ fat contract.  Elias makes top 25 dollars, but produces like an above average skater, definitely not superstar caliber.  Elias is riding a three-game point streak (4G 2A) and is competing after completing his most successful month of the season.  In January, Elias had a share of the team-leading 11 points, including 6 goals and 5 assists.

In his second season, Travis Zajac started with 7 points in 11 October contests, before slumping to 8 points over the next 27 games.  He’s finally snapped out of the drought with a solid effort this past month, co-leading the Devils with 6 goals and 5 assists.

Sutter recently called out Devils scoring leader Zach Parise, Gulitti noted on Fire and Ice.  Parise’s scoring has decreased each month from November.

November: 9G 8A 17PTS (PP: 5G 2A)

December: 4G 5A 9PTS (PP: 1G 1A)

January: 2G 5A 7PTS (PP: 1G 2A)

And the Devils defensive corpse is weaker than expected.  We know about Oduya’s mental mistakes and unluckiness.

I am more concerned with the upcoming free agency period.  Defensemen Karel Rachunek is a free agent as is forward Jay Pandolfo, who will likely not play this weekend, according to Rich Chere of the Star Ledger.  Gulitti originally said that Pandolfo might play against the Rangers after making it through two full practices, but has since updated that thought.

“Although left wing Jay Pandolfo made it through another full practice skating on the checking line with John Madden and David Clarkson, he said it's unlikely he'll play Friday night against the Rangers or Saturday night against the Los Angeles Kings,” Gulitti said on his blog. Pandolfo has been out since Nov. 28 with a pubic bone ligament injury.”

The Devils have their hands full this weekend without Pandolfo’s services.  It’s time to show these Rangers who has dominated the division and league since joining in 1982 (focus on 1996-present.

Let’s get to the Prudential Center early.  Let’s be louder than ever.  Make sure the Rangers leave empty-handed.  The way it used to be should be.

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